Dear Readers, as always, though not said nearly enough—thank you for being here! Thank you for placing your eyes on my words and for trusting me with a few moments of your day. I see you, and I appreciate you.
Issue 84 is the highlights and updates edition. I’ve sewn many loose ends in my past 83 newsletters. I owe you some answers. Let’s take a smattering of issues and see what’s happened (or not) since publication.
In Issue 81, I told you of a woman who accused me of hitting her car while visiting my mom’s grave. With patience, I unearthed she was grieving her son’s death anniversary and needed someone to talk to. Interesting strategy, though it worked. I have yet to find her son's name. I’ll walk the cemetery this weekend and hope to stumble upon his grave. I’ll report back.
In Issue 73, I announced I was a coach—a word coach, a relationship coach, a something coach. I’m not a coach. I’m a writer. I craft words to fit situations and coach people on my reasoning. I’ve learned a lot about myself from myself. It turns out; I have a point of view. Shocking!
In Issue 83, I dropped I’d had a hard day with Stephen. I did that because few people share the shitty days. We all have them, but few are shameless enough to admit it. The pressure to be polished is a bit much. Can we let our hair down now and again?
In Issue 76, I boasted about a project with my friend and collaborator Craig Frazier for our wine client, DuMOL. The publication is called The DuMOL Dirt and shares elements of the wine-growing process. The feedback from customers on the premier issue, on soil, was so delightful. Heartwarming. The second issue is headed to print shortly. What’s it about? You’ll have to wait till it rolls out…
In Issue 74, I asked for your input on the title of this newsletter. In the poll, The Letter came in last. Hello, Silverstein came in first. I agree wholeheartedly. Still, I’ve officially done nothing about it. As my website gets a refresh, my newsletter will follow suit. It’s all in the works. Slow and steady wins the race. And I’m winning.
In Issue 78, I introduced you to M&M, the hamster. He’s part of the family. I make him a buffet of fresh vegetables, morning and night. Normal.
In Issue 77, I issued a rule to the kids of no phones in bedrooms (though Emma doesn’t have one). A few weeks in, I loosened the reigns. Now it’s a no-phones-in-the-bedroom-with-the-door-closed rule. I feel 100 times more connected to Owen with his antics as the backdrop to our lives (and antics, there are!). Rather than wonder how he feels about it, I just asked him (without issue because he could finally hear me with an open door!). “Owen, how do you feel about being in your room with the door open.” He responded, “I like it.”
In Issue 68, I didn’t tell you about the book I’m reading, but I will now. It’s called The Myth of Normal by Gabor Mater. The subtitle is, Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture. If you think that sentence doesn’t relate to you as I did for a moment, you’re sorely mistaken. Trauma, big or small, has its claws in each of us. Good news, bad news: We’re all a mess, and we’re in good company.
In Issue 84, I tried something new. This is Issue 84.
I bet you wish there were ten reflections.
You’ve reached the end. Thank you for walking down Accountability Lane with me. I often think about the ideas I throw out publicly without any updates or acknowledgments. Doing so gives you the impression that I can spout off about anything and never follow through. That’s not the type of space I hold here.
Alas, there’s nothing I hate more than elephants in rooms. 🐘 Name it. If there’s shame around it, you’ll tame it.
A big, beautiful, and happy belated Mother’s Day to anyone who’s made another a mother—ever! Psst… that’s all of us.
Cheers, my dears. There’s no prescription today. You get the week off. ❤️
your Letter (or whichever name you land on) is always a favorite I look forward to reading. good reminder to revisit
life's loose ends; the topic of accountability has been brought up a lot recently in our house... to the point I have been rewarding with $ when I hear someone owning up to their part in... anything: )