Have a better new year, Mary. I lost my brother to cancer in February, and my mom to cancer at the end of October. The election so close to that loss devasted me. I am hoping 2025 is better than expected.
I am so sorry, Kathi. You must have some very strong resilience at your core to endure that much tragedy, and still have hope. I'm hoping for you, too. 🩵
Bikracer, Kathi, and the others on this thread who have lost loved ones this year. I, too had a rough year of losing folks who meant so much to me, but it began November 6, 2023 with the death of my sister and best friend from high school the same day. It was followed by the deaths of 3 other classmates, a dear friend of 50+ years, cherished members of my church, and an educator I deeply admired, along with losing my country, all in 366 days. Following these Substack threads and lots of family support made it possible to keep going, helping where I can. I hope this year will be better, and I am going to try my best to help that to happen. I wish all here strength and courage to face and respond well to what is coming.
My deepest sympathies to you, Ruth Sheets. I don't know how one deals with all that loss. You've been through the ringer. I hope you still have a lot of close people alive and healthy, and I'm guessing you probably have important people from your church who are still around, and I'm thinking that's a good reason to belong to a church or synagogue, which I don't. Maybe it's time.
David, thanks so much for your kind words. I am very lucky to have good friends and family and we have helped each other through this rough time. I have found a lot of support in my church and the churches where I supply preach. Being part of a faith community can be a strong support and can allow you to be a support for others in good times and challenging ones. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you, Ruth. I'm so glad you have the good friends and family, and the support in your faith communities. And here's some reading that I did during the previous decade, which has been helpful.
I recommend the book, Tribe, by Sebastian Junger, as it gives the reader a gut level sense of how important the people in our lives are, and how well people can work together when their goal with the work is extremely important, as to survival, for example, or getting through bad times. I consider it the most important book I've read in my 50 years of adult life. (It's a quick read--2-3 hours, but an excellent read.)
And after you read Tribe, read Alfred Lansing's Endurance, about how Ernest Shackleton and ALL OF HIS 28 men made it back to civilization after Antarctic ice chewed up and spat out their boat. They had to find all their stuff on the boat, put it on the three lifeboats, pull the lifeboats 10 miles over the ice to where they finally reached the ocean. They sailed to an island well to the north, where the men remained for months before they took off again, sleeping under the lifeboats... It took them 15 months from Antarctic ice to civilization, being cold all that time, eating whatever the cold waters offered--for quite a while it was penguins--sailing the worst waters on the planet. Endurance is very hard to put down.
Having read Tribe first, you'll understand at gut level how well the men worked together, and how they were able to make it back to civilization. As well as how we're going to be able to do what we have to do to maintain our Democracy.
David, I did read "Endurance" and found it compelling. I wonder if the men would have done as well under a different leader. I have not yet read "Tribe" and will check it out. We can do well to endure what is coming if we stick together and don't pick at one another to blame. The folks who will be in charge starting Jan. 20th care nothing for the American people, only for the power and money they can accumulate. It is up to us to challenge them at every turn and keep pointing out to everyone we can, just what those pathetic human beings are up to as they work to wreck our democracy. I think of what Washington and his troops dealt with at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-1778. It wasn't a particularly cold winter as winters then went, but it was often rainy, muddy, and stalked by numerous disseases. The army endured and came out far better than before they arrived on Dec. 19, 1777. They had training from a supposed Prussian general who was not that, but was a strong leader who taught soldiers how to work together with similar skills and practices. Maybe we who still care about this nation and our democracy can take a good lesson from those folks, learn to work well together, bypass the media that only care about money and covering Trump as though he is a king. Maybe we can shame some corporations into stopping support for people like Trump and others who break the law but somehow get into office anyway. Who knows "Endurance" and Valley Forge may show us the way to a brighter future today.
You have certainly had some terrible luck this year. Hold your remaining loved ones--family members and/or friends--close, which will probably be good for your own health, as well as your well being. May the sun shine on you in 2025, and from then on.
You are blessed indeed then, and those who love you are equally as blessed. Thank you for sharing with us. My heart opens and embraces you. Be good and patient with yourself. Again, I am so sorry.
I’m sorry about your brother. You know, I had a small bonfire on my patio on New Year’s Eve and burned a lot of things that were written to me by those people who had chosen to leave me simply because I have an incurable, but treatable disease. “ Goodbye 2024!” While I didn’t think it was possible, the IVIG has been the best thing I’ve ever received, and even though it’s coming in part, from Big Pharma, I really am grateful. I just wish everyone could have the same opportunity that I have….sadly our next president is going to strip away access to life saving drugs, which is why I’m training to give a speech before Congress to ask them to keep funding the NIH. THANK YOU
My wife would not be alive if not for every day life saving transplant drugs. 28 years ago she paid $500 a month. On Medicare she now pays maybe a $1000 a year. On the ACA she paid less than $500 a year! Here here to life saving drugs and their costs going down!
Tremendous losses and concurrently as you mention topped off with the source of a nation suffering from PTSD winning that election. If it is of any comfort, we are here and love you. And value your input. So, glad you are here to share Mary's New Year's message with all of us. Take care.
Clarence the Angel: “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
—-”It’s A Wonderful Life” 1947
Thank you, Mary, for touching so many of us throughout these difficult years and keeping us informed, sane, and connected. Happy New Year! May you grow from strength to strength.
We NEED JOY NOW. It's like holy water, garlic & crosses to MAGATS, Evangelicals, Flat Earthers, God - botherers unable to countenance different beliefs & other killers of joy & free thought.
" Can You Hear the People Sing ? " - I found inspiration in Les Miserables.
WOW, what a Year for You, Mary. I prayed for you when you came down with COVID, because It took so long for you to heal.( I cursed your uncle ) But, all in all, you came thru 2024 with some remarkable accomplishments. Blessings to you, sweetheart, and Happy New Year's to you and your family, and to all of your beautiful readers too. Thank You 🙏💯👍🤗🥳👈 !
Thank you for your wonderful posts and books, Mary. But more than that, thank you for being an interesting, intelligent, thoughtful person full of class, culture, and charisma. We are so lucky to have you in our lives.
Have a great New Year's Eve and first day of 2025. Jimmy Carter has started us out right. We need to find our pod of people who are determined,thoughtful resisters and whom we can trust.
My Evangelical cousin acted like she thought Jimmy Carter was Satan incarnate. Maybe she can open her " Christian " heart to feel love for someone whom she apparently sees an acolyte of Satan - tongue firmly ensconced in cheek.
Your cousin makes my head spin. I've always appreciated Jimmy Carter for his honesty and for his living his life according to the actual teachings of Christ. He was my idea of a real leader.
I have ZERO IDEA why she believes the f--ked up crap that she does Susan. If I was a therapist I wouldn't poke about in her cranium for all the GOLD IN FORT KNOX ! She has some screwed - up circuitry. She played a KEY ROLE in my forsaking Protestant Christianity, they CHASE WAY the people that they might try to reach / ensnare with bs propaganda.
Such a sad person, your cousin, being unable to see the good in a truly good person, as Jimmy Carter so clearly was. How awful for her to be filled with so much darkness within herself, it blocked her from seeing the light shining through others. And for you, it’s very, very painful, to witness this in someone we’re close to.
I’m aware of this, as I’ve had a few close encounters within my own family & with an ex.
The shock, grief of experiencing this is so painful. Traumatic, Disbelief at 1st, Confusion, sadness & disillusion, disappointment so deep, for a time I didn’t know if I’d recover. Especially by the 3rd one. As each of course attempted to blame me, by projection. Their own inability to face their own painful truths and Problems, Though I was willing to be there for and with them, through their difficult times. Avoidance, by blaming, shaming rather than face their pain. A running away was their choice, more avoiding, bringing with even more Misery and Suffering towards others.
GIVE YOUR UNCLE ENOUGH ROPE - AND HE WILL HANG HIMSELF AND HOPEFULLY PUT AN END TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AS C0-CONSPIRITORS IN HIS MOMENTOUS DELUSION OF GRANDEUR. I SINCERLY HOPE YOU LIVE TO SEE AND AID IN HIS AND THEIR DISEMBOWELMENT WHEN ALL THE SHIT FLOWS FREELY FROM THEIR SORDID MYOPIC DELUSION OF GRANDEUR!
Gee LooEEze H.Ron could you be any more passionate and eloquently descriptive concerning your assessment of those totally off the rails maniacs who somehow managed to finally get enough of a foothold in our most sacred institutions? Aided and abetted by years of special treatment by other bad actors,and foreign influences . For me,it was just like watching dominoes fall in one of those long and winding trails of intricately designed spirals that don't stop until the last one falls. I felt like that the day of the election as it was prematurely announced that Trump had been reinstalled in our White House. I feel and agree with everything you wrote,but like Mary says,we Survived to fight back as they do some of the work for us because of their own decaying and self destructive modus operandis, which will ultimately be their downfalls.
Whether real justice ensues is still debatable.
The key for us is to start before our vanishing portal closes shut . We have to organize, commit and utilize all of our skills and passion to follow through before they gain the ability to keep that portal shut down
. Power to the People like you,H Ron. I don't believe this battle is over by a longshot ,because you are not alone in your awareness and convictions.
GETTING OUR ACT TOGETHER TAKES LOTS OF TIME AND MONEY = AT 84 NOW I HAVE THE TIME BUT I PISSED $100 AWAY, JUST THE OTHER DAY - TRYING TO BE A REAL BILLIONAIRE - EVEN BIGGER THAN GRUMPOLINI
I don't think we want to take a stand for what's right because we hope that future generations will vindicate us. We do it because it's inherently right.
Have a better new year, Mary. I lost my brother to cancer in February, and my mom to cancer at the end of October. The election so close to that loss devasted me. I am hoping 2025 is better than expected.
I am so sorry, Kathi. You must have some very strong resilience at your core to endure that much tragedy, and still have hope. I'm hoping for you, too. 🩵
Thank you Mesila
So sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry, I sort of know how you feel.
I lost my beloved husband to cancer in February, a good friend in April, my sweet much loved kitty in October and my country in November.
I kind of feel punched in the gut.
I hope you have a better 2025 💙 I hope we all do.
Bikracer, Kathi, and the others on this thread who have lost loved ones this year. I, too had a rough year of losing folks who meant so much to me, but it began November 6, 2023 with the death of my sister and best friend from high school the same day. It was followed by the deaths of 3 other classmates, a dear friend of 50+ years, cherished members of my church, and an educator I deeply admired, along with losing my country, all in 366 days. Following these Substack threads and lots of family support made it possible to keep going, helping where I can. I hope this year will be better, and I am going to try my best to help that to happen. I wish all here strength and courage to face and respond well to what is coming.
My deepest sympathies to you, Ruth Sheets. I don't know how one deals with all that loss. You've been through the ringer. I hope you still have a lot of close people alive and healthy, and I'm guessing you probably have important people from your church who are still around, and I'm thinking that's a good reason to belong to a church or synagogue, which I don't. Maybe it's time.
David, thanks so much for your kind words. I am very lucky to have good friends and family and we have helped each other through this rough time. I have found a lot of support in my church and the churches where I supply preach. Being part of a faith community can be a strong support and can allow you to be a support for others in good times and challenging ones. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you, Ruth. I'm so glad you have the good friends and family, and the support in your faith communities. And here's some reading that I did during the previous decade, which has been helpful.
I recommend the book, Tribe, by Sebastian Junger, as it gives the reader a gut level sense of how important the people in our lives are, and how well people can work together when their goal with the work is extremely important, as to survival, for example, or getting through bad times. I consider it the most important book I've read in my 50 years of adult life. (It's a quick read--2-3 hours, but an excellent read.)
And after you read Tribe, read Alfred Lansing's Endurance, about how Ernest Shackleton and ALL OF HIS 28 men made it back to civilization after Antarctic ice chewed up and spat out their boat. They had to find all their stuff on the boat, put it on the three lifeboats, pull the lifeboats 10 miles over the ice to where they finally reached the ocean. They sailed to an island well to the north, where the men remained for months before they took off again, sleeping under the lifeboats... It took them 15 months from Antarctic ice to civilization, being cold all that time, eating whatever the cold waters offered--for quite a while it was penguins--sailing the worst waters on the planet. Endurance is very hard to put down.
Having read Tribe first, you'll understand at gut level how well the men worked together, and how they were able to make it back to civilization. As well as how we're going to be able to do what we have to do to maintain our Democracy.
David, I did read "Endurance" and found it compelling. I wonder if the men would have done as well under a different leader. I have not yet read "Tribe" and will check it out. We can do well to endure what is coming if we stick together and don't pick at one another to blame. The folks who will be in charge starting Jan. 20th care nothing for the American people, only for the power and money they can accumulate. It is up to us to challenge them at every turn and keep pointing out to everyone we can, just what those pathetic human beings are up to as they work to wreck our democracy. I think of what Washington and his troops dealt with at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-1778. It wasn't a particularly cold winter as winters then went, but it was often rainy, muddy, and stalked by numerous disseases. The army endured and came out far better than before they arrived on Dec. 19, 1777. They had training from a supposed Prussian general who was not that, but was a strong leader who taught soldiers how to work together with similar skills and practices. Maybe we who still care about this nation and our democracy can take a good lesson from those folks, learn to work well together, bypass the media that only care about money and covering Trump as though he is a king. Maybe we can shame some corporations into stopping support for people like Trump and others who break the law but somehow get into office anyway. Who knows "Endurance" and Valley Forge may show us the way to a brighter future today.
Bike racer, I am so sorry for your losses. I understand how you feel. I do hope we all have a better 2025
You have certainly had some terrible luck this year. Hold your remaining loved ones--family members and/or friends--close, which will probably be good for your own health, as well as your well being. May the sun shine on you in 2025, and from then on.
David, thanks. I am fortunate to have lots of support and a very loving wife who is my rock.
I'm so glad to hear it!
You are blessed indeed then, and those who love you are equally as blessed. Thank you for sharing with us. My heart opens and embraces you. Be good and patient with yourself. Again, I am so sorry.
I hope so for you, too.
Thank you, Leslie
Terrible losses Kathi. I hope you find space and love in this hard time. Sending out love to you.
Thank you, Margaret. I have incredible friends, a wonderful sister, amazing nieces and nephews and the best wife anyone could ask for!
It's so much when you lose good people who you love ,
Gabriel, you are 100% correct
Sending sincere condolences Kathi. G-d help us, I also hope this is a better year than expected.
Emily, thank you and I’m hoping with you!
I’m sorry about your brother. You know, I had a small bonfire on my patio on New Year’s Eve and burned a lot of things that were written to me by those people who had chosen to leave me simply because I have an incurable, but treatable disease. “ Goodbye 2024!” While I didn’t think it was possible, the IVIG has been the best thing I’ve ever received, and even though it’s coming in part, from Big Pharma, I really am grateful. I just wish everyone could have the same opportunity that I have….sadly our next president is going to strip away access to life saving drugs, which is why I’m training to give a speech before Congress to ask them to keep funding the NIH. THANK YOU
Frances,
My wife would not be alive if not for every day life saving transplant drugs. 28 years ago she paid $500 a month. On Medicare she now pays maybe a $1000 a year. On the ACA she paid less than $500 a year! Here here to life saving drugs and their costs going down!
Indeed. Wishing you both the best of luck in 2025. Without the IDF community I never imagined how much better life could be
Tremendous losses and concurrently as you mention topped off with the source of a nation suffering from PTSD winning that election. If it is of any comfort, we are here and love you. And value your input. So, glad you are here to share Mary's New Year's message with all of us. Take care.
I'm very sorry, Kathi. I hope that 2025 will be a better year for you.
Thank you Jennifer
Sorry to hear of your loss! That would devasting, but I am glad to see you made it through and are still with us. May 2025 be better for all of us!
Jan, I am determined to outlive these MAGA crazies. My mom lived to 95 so I have good genes. I hope I also have her strength
Laura,
So sorry for your loss. Wishing you peace in the new year.
Clarence the Angel: “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
—-”It’s A Wonderful Life” 1947
Thank you, Mary, for touching so many of us throughout these difficult years and keeping us informed, sane, and connected. Happy New Year! May you grow from strength to strength.
We NEED JOY NOW. It's like holy water, garlic & crosses to MAGATS, Evangelicals, Flat Earthers, God - botherers unable to countenance different beliefs & other killers of joy & free thought.
" Can You Hear the People Sing ? " - I found inspiration in Les Miserables.
Love your inspo here! Hoping my phone has enough storage forMy Spotify playlist on this subject
WOW, what a Year for You, Mary. I prayed for you when you came down with COVID, because It took so long for you to heal.( I cursed your uncle ) But, all in all, you came thru 2024 with some remarkable accomplishments. Blessings to you, sweetheart, and Happy New Year's to you and your family, and to all of your beautiful readers too. Thank You 🙏💯👍🤗🥳👈 !
Happy New Year, Mary, and may all the resistance rise to the occasion and produce results for 2026. Thank you for all you do!
Here's some encouragement on that score
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQmrNzVCfPg
Love this
You're such an inspiration! Thank you!
Happy New Year! Let’s keep the movement going in 2025! 🎉🎉🎉
Thank you for your wonderful posts and books, Mary. But more than that, thank you for being an interesting, intelligent, thoughtful person full of class, culture, and charisma. We are so lucky to have you in our lives.
Have a great New Year's Eve and first day of 2025. Jimmy Carter has started us out right. We need to find our pod of people who are determined,thoughtful resisters and whom we can trust.
My Evangelical cousin acted like she thought Jimmy Carter was Satan incarnate. Maybe she can open her " Christian " heart to feel love for someone whom she apparently sees an acolyte of Satan - tongue firmly ensconced in cheek.
Your cousin makes my head spin. I've always appreciated Jimmy Carter for his honesty and for his living his life according to the actual teachings of Christ. He was my idea of a real leader.
I have ZERO IDEA why she believes the f--ked up crap that she does Susan. If I was a therapist I wouldn't poke about in her cranium for all the GOLD IN FORT KNOX ! She has some screwed - up circuitry. She played a KEY ROLE in my forsaking Protestant Christianity, they CHASE WAY the people that they might try to reach / ensnare with bs propaganda.
Such a sad person, your cousin, being unable to see the good in a truly good person, as Jimmy Carter so clearly was. How awful for her to be filled with so much darkness within herself, it blocked her from seeing the light shining through others. And for you, it’s very, very painful, to witness this in someone we’re close to.
I’m aware of this, as I’ve had a few close encounters within my own family & with an ex.
The shock, grief of experiencing this is so painful. Traumatic, Disbelief at 1st, Confusion, sadness & disillusion, disappointment so deep, for a time I didn’t know if I’d recover. Especially by the 3rd one. As each of course attempted to blame me, by projection. Their own inability to face their own painful truths and Problems, Though I was willing to be there for and with them, through their difficult times. Avoidance, by blaming, shaming rather than face their pain. A running away was their choice, more avoiding, bringing with even more Misery and Suffering towards others.
Blessings to you in your healings and peace.
I remember when you wrote about that trip to Iceland. I loved that piece.
The new year is here now, ready or not. I definitely feel as ready as possible because of online connections like this one.
Thank you for your leadership, Mary.
So thankful for your perspective, Mary!!
Thank you, Mary! You are a light for us. Stay safe and healthy in the new year. And congrats to your daughter!
💙 Happy New Year, Mary. Forward ☞ It is the only direction that makes sense.
GIVE YOUR UNCLE ENOUGH ROPE - AND HE WILL HANG HIMSELF AND HOPEFULLY PUT AN END TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AS C0-CONSPIRITORS IN HIS MOMENTOUS DELUSION OF GRANDEUR. I SINCERLY HOPE YOU LIVE TO SEE AND AID IN HIS AND THEIR DISEMBOWELMENT WHEN ALL THE SHIT FLOWS FREELY FROM THEIR SORDID MYOPIC DELUSION OF GRANDEUR!
Gee LooEEze H.Ron could you be any more passionate and eloquently descriptive concerning your assessment of those totally off the rails maniacs who somehow managed to finally get enough of a foothold in our most sacred institutions? Aided and abetted by years of special treatment by other bad actors,and foreign influences . For me,it was just like watching dominoes fall in one of those long and winding trails of intricately designed spirals that don't stop until the last one falls. I felt like that the day of the election as it was prematurely announced that Trump had been reinstalled in our White House. I feel and agree with everything you wrote,but like Mary says,we Survived to fight back as they do some of the work for us because of their own decaying and self destructive modus operandis, which will ultimately be their downfalls.
Whether real justice ensues is still debatable.
The key for us is to start before our vanishing portal closes shut . We have to organize, commit and utilize all of our skills and passion to follow through before they gain the ability to keep that portal shut down
. Power to the People like you,H Ron. I don't believe this battle is over by a longshot ,because you are not alone in your awareness and convictions.
GETTING OUR ACT TOGETHER TAKES LOTS OF TIME AND MONEY = AT 84 NOW I HAVE THE TIME BUT I PISSED $100 AWAY, JUST THE OTHER DAY - TRYING TO BE A REAL BILLIONAIRE - EVEN BIGGER THAN GRUMPOLINI
HOW DO I RUN AGAINST A SON OF JESSE JACKSON - NOT AS REPUGNICANT - TO BECOME CONGRESSMAN FOR ILL-NOISE DISTRICT # 01 WHERE I LIVE
my recent comment here says much the same. In brief,
An Open Letter to Vice President Harris,
www.poems4change.org/docs/harris-openletter.pdf
WOW = and here they say that I am verbose - but all from your heart
I don't think we want to take a stand for what's right because we hope that future generations will vindicate us. We do it because it's inherently right.
try www.poems4change.org/docs/harris-openletter.pdf