The gut wrenching heartbreak after the beautiful joy. Life is brutiful, always and in all ways. Oh Kate, I hang on these stories waiting for the next Fri., the next chapter. All I can think is that you did it, you’ve done it. Keep fighting. Even when it’s hard. Even when you are in bed at 5 pm. Even when waffle is hurt. Just keep getting up and walking into the next day Kate. We need you. We need to hear the hard truths and see that there is light and LIFE. We just need to keep living and take the moments of joy when they come. ❤️❤️
I haven’t even finished reading but had to pause and comment about this quote: “...mental illness was just me, lost in a galaxy of one. I had no idea how much oxygen I had left to breathe. I had no idea how long I had been trapped there. I had no idea how long I would continue to be trapped there. I simply had no idea about any of it. All I had was my fight for survival – my fight to get back to earth.”
I’ve been drowning in my mental illness lately and this articulates how I feel so well. Thank you for writing these words. Thank you so much 🖤
I become speechless sometimes after I read these. I am in awe of your strength at overcoming what the world has thrown at you. I have believed every shitty thing anyone has ever told me. It’s not truth.. not mine. It’s THEIR Truth. I have had so many “come to Jesus” moments with myself from reading your stories, Kate. Thank you for helping this old lady sort out a life long battle with self. I will continue reading and learning.. this old horse is drinking the water! Love to you and the girls, missy
This is a Stunning account of your story. Beautiful words on the page (or screen). Thank you! P.S. can we listen to your npr interview? What program please?
Oh Kate, as usual, your writing had me right there with you. I’m so sorry that writing these next few chapters is causing you stress and taking you back, I hope that you can honour what you need. I just love you so so much 💕 I’m so glad that you got to speak with Maura in this chapter! I’m so glad that she was able to bring you back in times of despair, you two totally got each other and just truly truly loved each other exactly as you were, and that’s the most amazing thing ever. I’m heartbroken that your therapist told you that, especially on a voicemail, it hurts my heart for you. Sending so much love and a dork dance (I’ve taken a page from your book and let my goofy side out so much more regularly again!) 💜💜💜
Absolutely gut wrenching, as I sit here and take in your prose, I am struck with these deep physical sensations in my bones and in my heart - thank you for your radical honesty, this is a similar story to one of my own and I am so thankful I came across your work, this inflection point is one that truly can break you, when you’re already so vulnerable and fighting - literally - for your own survival and chance to be fully “free.” Wow. Speechless and so inspired to begin sharing and opening up on things
similar. All I can say again is THANK YOU for articulating your story for all to see, it’s deeply validating and - though of course difficult work - is absolutely so necessary. Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing this and such gorgeous raw writing. You metaphors are spectacular, makes me want to share them with my students. What caught me was the foundation of what started this piece, " Here’s to us. Here’s to us being tired from living AND fighting illness"... tired and breathing, thank you after the longest week ever
As I began to read this piece I found myself holding my breath. Then my emotion shifted to a better place and finally I plummeted to the depths of despair. That is what a good writer/author does for the listener/reader!!
On another note your transparency is remarkable and although I am not a person who struggles with mental illness I continue to learn from you and that has been a great experience for me. I do love you Kate ❤️💜
🫂💜 what a roller-coaster we ride. Such devastation in the dips. I felt that as you shared the voicemail. But thank God for the joy of you and Maura. Thank you Kate so much. I am able to see my own illness in a way I wasn't able to before. 💜
I love you so much! 💜💜💜 Getting to know your story and your life has been the best thing to happen to me. I love Dave, Waffy, and Tug! Y’all (yes I am Texan) make everyday a good day! Thankful for you and your willingness to be open and vulnerable!
The gut wrenching heartbreak after the beautiful joy. Life is brutiful, always and in all ways. Oh Kate, I hang on these stories waiting for the next Fri., the next chapter. All I can think is that you did it, you’ve done it. Keep fighting. Even when it’s hard. Even when you are in bed at 5 pm. Even when waffle is hurt. Just keep getting up and walking into the next day Kate. We need you. We need to hear the hard truths and see that there is light and LIFE. We just need to keep living and take the moments of joy when they come. ❤️❤️
I haven’t even finished reading but had to pause and comment about this quote: “...mental illness was just me, lost in a galaxy of one. I had no idea how much oxygen I had left to breathe. I had no idea how long I had been trapped there. I had no idea how long I would continue to be trapped there. I simply had no idea about any of it. All I had was my fight for survival – my fight to get back to earth.”
I’ve been drowning in my mental illness lately and this articulates how I feel so well. Thank you for writing these words. Thank you so much 🖤
I become speechless sometimes after I read these. I am in awe of your strength at overcoming what the world has thrown at you. I have believed every shitty thing anyone has ever told me. It’s not truth.. not mine. It’s THEIR Truth. I have had so many “come to Jesus” moments with myself from reading your stories, Kate. Thank you for helping this old lady sort out a life long battle with self. I will continue reading and learning.. this old horse is drinking the water! Love to you and the girls, missy
This is a Stunning account of your story. Beautiful words on the page (or screen). Thank you! P.S. can we listen to your npr interview? What program please?
Oh Kate, as usual, your writing had me right there with you. I’m so sorry that writing these next few chapters is causing you stress and taking you back, I hope that you can honour what you need. I just love you so so much 💕 I’m so glad that you got to speak with Maura in this chapter! I’m so glad that she was able to bring you back in times of despair, you two totally got each other and just truly truly loved each other exactly as you were, and that’s the most amazing thing ever. I’m heartbroken that your therapist told you that, especially on a voicemail, it hurts my heart for you. Sending so much love and a dork dance (I’ve taken a page from your book and let my goofy side out so much more regularly again!) 💜💜💜
Absolutely gut wrenching, as I sit here and take in your prose, I am struck with these deep physical sensations in my bones and in my heart - thank you for your radical honesty, this is a similar story to one of my own and I am so thankful I came across your work, this inflection point is one that truly can break you, when you’re already so vulnerable and fighting - literally - for your own survival and chance to be fully “free.” Wow. Speechless and so inspired to begin sharing and opening up on things
similar. All I can say again is THANK YOU for articulating your story for all to see, it’s deeply validating and - though of course difficult work - is absolutely so necessary. Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing this and such gorgeous raw writing. You metaphors are spectacular, makes me want to share them with my students. What caught me was the foundation of what started this piece, " Here’s to us. Here’s to us being tired from living AND fighting illness"... tired and breathing, thank you after the longest week ever
As I began to read this piece I found myself holding my breath. Then my emotion shifted to a better place and finally I plummeted to the depths of despair. That is what a good writer/author does for the listener/reader!!
On another note your transparency is remarkable and although I am not a person who struggles with mental illness I continue to learn from you and that has been a great experience for me. I do love you Kate ❤️💜
You are truly a warrior. I’m left with the feeling that there is no ground to stand on.
Wow, I was so happy for you then the rug was pulled out & I fell! I can’t imagine how you felt! I’m so sorry!💜💜💜
🫂💜 what a roller-coaster we ride. Such devastation in the dips. I felt that as you shared the voicemail. But thank God for the joy of you and Maura. Thank you Kate so much. I am able to see my own illness in a way I wasn't able to before. 💜
I love you so much! 💜💜💜 Getting to know your story and your life has been the best thing to happen to me. I love Dave, Waffy, and Tug! Y’all (yes I am Texan) make everyday a good day! Thankful for you and your willingness to be open and vulnerable!