tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post7350731157984303319..comments2023-09-20T00:13:37.931-04:00Comments on One Good Thing: The Middle RoadMandy Hitchcockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14365577216317740232noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-8931420240205860472011-01-20T16:20:14.587-05:002011-01-20T16:20:14.587-05:00Yes, people will think you are "all better&qu...Yes, people will think you are "all better" once Jackson is born. They will desperately want to think that. You won't be, but you know that already. But yes, he will help you heal too, in time. A new baby after losing one definitely produces complex emotions, but ultimately, much joy. Thanks for sharing all that you do, and as the previous commenter said, don't beat yourself up. You've been to hell, and are there still, but you won't stay there.Maggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03310167742699434598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-17196223219493524552011-01-19T00:35:29.234-05:002011-01-19T00:35:29.234-05:00This post reminds me so much of an excerpt from an...This post reminds me so much of an excerpt from an earlier (July) post of yours:<br /><br />"Dr. X said, 'You know, it’s always really nice when something good like that can come out of something terrible.' And we agreed. And then he continued, 'But it doesn’t change the fact that it is really fucking terrible.' Indeed."<br /><br />I admire so much that you are honoring Hudson by spreading her message of One Good Thing. It is such a fitting way to keep her bright spirit alive. But don't beat yourself up for using this blog to work through your grief. It is here for the good days and the bad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-87464206833807901602011-01-18T12:13:46.128-05:002011-01-18T12:13:46.128-05:00Mandy,
I so understand - everything that you so b...Mandy,<br /><br />I so understand - everything that you so beautifully said! As I was reading, I thought of MLK's quote on hope, and was so happy to read it at the end of your post. So perfect.<br /><br />Also, I love all of Hudson's photos - so, so sweet. Her beautiful little face reflects all of your love. She knew she was adored, she knew she was treasured, that sweet face says it all.<br /><br />With love and understanding<br />Carol Herrmann, Caroline's mom<br />www.caringbridge.org/visit/carolinehAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-63515126142669373342011-01-18T11:39:45.033-05:002011-01-18T11:39:45.033-05:00Please don't fear that we forget your grief or...Please don't fear that we forget your grief or Hudson's life when you write of times of joy. I think you've said before that you're glad to have the blog as a place you can bare your soul. I hope you can continue to do that--whether it means writing of grief or writing of happiness.Family Snodgrasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01083153754745303465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-42985945560226860852011-01-18T09:26:44.297-05:002011-01-18T09:26:44.297-05:00Mandy -- Your post here sums up what I have wonder...Mandy -- Your post here sums up what I have wondered about for a very long time.......and you have articulated it here so beautifully and completely. And, everyone's comments today are so interesting and wonderful to read. You, Mandy, have hit the nail right on the head -- my sister told me once that 'the best we can hope for is ambivalence' -- I laughed at her at the time, but as the years pass, I see that she wasn't trying to be funny. I know I have said this before, but it bears repeating: you are an amazing person, a strong person, a person with such demonstration and capacity for love -- may you continue to heal and move forward -- and your beautiful girl will be in your heart most definitely as you do that. You have hope because of your beautiful Hudson -- you know how indescribable and amazing being a mother is because of Hudson -- your hope for joy in the future originated with the joy that Hudson personified. (((hugs))) -- MariannAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-85647204222884657542011-01-18T01:05:01.759-05:002011-01-18T01:05:01.759-05:00Mandy this is an amazing post.. for so many reason...Mandy this is an amazing post.. for so many reasons. I know that people who only know us through our writing get only a slice of our complete picture- but I often feel that it is the biggest slice, the one that truly represents all of the hard shattered remains of what is left on the inside. On the outside there are other emotions, sometimes smiles, and the trials of daily life that together contribute to the 'whole' picture. So in short, i think you have it exactly right here- it is hard to see everything just from these writings, but the writing is still very indicative of what we deal with every moment of every day. I guess it is why I actually feel that sometime the people who know me outside of my blog don't get the whole picture- that they see the infrequent smiles, hear the laughter that sometimes escapes my lips, they see me 'functioning' in the real world- and they forget how much pain and grief I am walking with. Sometimes it feels like a double edged sword. <br />I think you do an amazing job of reminding you readers about the good things that you experience- I often find myself searching for them myself after I read your words. I thank you very much for that- for sharing Hudson's legacy, and for reminding moms like me of the light that is always there behind the dark skies. <br />love and light....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-67240347226376826142011-01-17T21:09:06.828-05:002011-01-17T21:09:06.828-05:00Mandy, usual people come on here to give you a sen...Mandy, usual people come on here to give you a sense of hope and to let you know that you are not alone.<br />Today, you are the one giving me hope with what you wrote. Life is difficult and sad for me and my family right now but you are spot on when you wrote:<br /><br />"It is only when we fail to perceive these gifts, when we allow ourselves to be blinded by our own sorrow and grief, that true despair and hopelessness set in." <br /><br />J.F./SingaporeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-56124968430461220262011-01-17T17:58:19.742-05:002011-01-17T17:58:19.742-05:00You just captured the meaning of life, imo. Olivi...You just captured the meaning of life, imo. OliviaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-52678954244996006262011-01-17T17:48:58.040-05:002011-01-17T17:48:58.040-05:00"There is a brokenness out of which comes th..."There is a brokenness out of which comes the unbroken, <br />A shattered-ness out of which blooms the unshatterable.<br />There is a sorrow beyond all grief<br />Which leads to joy.<br />And a fragility out of which depth emerges strength.<br />There is a cry deeper than all sound<br />Whose serrated edges cut the heart<br />As we break open to the place<br />Which is unbreakable and whole."<br /><br />--Jalal Al-Din Rumi<br /><br />And so we will "go on, in spite of all..."<br /><br />JudyJudy Sloanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05987137963005328558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-63532520453351313732011-01-17T17:40:07.154-05:002011-01-17T17:40:07.154-05:00This article made me think of you:
http://www.thep...This article made me think of you:<br />http://www.thepostgame.com/features/201101/billy-donovans-secret-sorrowAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-86012865743713576362011-01-17T15:39:48.855-05:002011-01-17T15:39:48.855-05:00Mandy,
I can understand (without pretending to kno...Mandy,<br />I can understand (without pretending to know) how you would worry that celebrating joy might cause Hudson's memory to be pushed back. I can understand how the fear of people forgetting her is like a stab to your heart. I can hear and feel your roaring pain, and the whisper of joy that works its way through when something good happens. But you're right: this seems to be exactly what One Good Thing is all about-finding the gem amidst the rubble. Keep searching, keep scraping, and keep hoping.<br />I hope with you, every single day.<br />With much love and support headed your way,<br />ClaireAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-75629882314604913732011-01-17T14:52:47.691-05:002011-01-17T14:52:47.691-05:00Anytime I read a post where you share some happine...Anytime I read a post where you share some happiness, I rejoice and marvel at your courage. It takes courage to feel hope and joy after such heartbreak - and you have it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-22192979897491388922011-01-17T13:12:33.226-05:002011-01-17T13:12:33.226-05:00Mandy-
It is always good for me to read what you ...Mandy-<br /><br />It is always good for me to read what you write, whether joyful or despairing or a combination of both. I have faith that you are healing while still knowing that your wound is forever. <br /><br />I'm glad you are reminding yourself to sift through the rubble, but know that I will be reading and thinking of you and holding you up no matter what you bring here to share. <br /><br />Hold on to hope. I know you already are.<br /><br />K.Keelynoreply@blogger.com