40 Comments
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Janet Jones Bann's avatar

It's so good to see you again. I hate that things are hard. Celebrating the things you are accomplishing. Sending love, rest, the strongest wishes for relief.

Jacque Stonehocker's avatar

Thank you, Janet. You have been on my mind big-time. One step at a time, one day at a time, good things are in store for us all. Take good care of you!

Janet Jones Bann's avatar

Thank you, Jacque. It has been a hard time. I'm still in tears several times a day. Am giving away the last of his things today and am awaiting delivery of a stuffed animal made in his image, sometime soon. Am hoping to finally get back to writing maybe this weekend. I've missed so many Substack Saturdays! 😀

Jacque Stonehocker's avatar

Big hugs. 🫶🐶🫶

Janet Jones Bann's avatar

thank you. and to you too. are you feeling any better?

Welcome To The Campfire's avatar

We are all in this together Jacque! You are always so supportive in the AWR community and I hope you know we are there for you!

Jacque Stonehocker's avatar

Indeed, we are! And I feel all that love and support each day. I’m super grateful for you!

Threads of Light Norma Lee KB's avatar

This is beautifully written. Thank you for sharing your soul with us. You’ve been supportive of so many of us and we appreciate it. I have felt your support over and over. Know that I am there for you and will keep you in my prayers as you slog through this time. It is hard and we need patience with whatever we are dealing with in order to be whole. Much love to you for healing and relief. Be as kind to yourself as you are to others.

Jacque Stonehocker's avatar

Thank you, Norma Lee. I appreciate you. I’m so grateful that we have the support of one another and of our Community! 💕

Jenn Jones's avatar

Baby steps. Lead to big steps. You’ve got this. And we’ve got you. 💙

Jacque Stonehocker's avatar

Appreciate you! I’m here for you!

Wendy Carr's avatar

Such a well written description. You are so inspiring and while I’ve missed seeing you, I’m so happy you’re taking the best care of yourself that you can. So thankful to be on this creative journey with you.

Jacque Stonehocker's avatar

Wendy, I'm sorry we were picked for the team. But...I am SO grateful we have this friendship, shared creative journey, and Community. ❤️

Karen De Gregorio's avatar

Keep it going.

Jacque Stonehocker's avatar

Thank you, Karen. We must all keep going. The world needs the light we can share.

Morning Musings's avatar

So good to hear from you again, Jacque!

Jacque Stonehocker's avatar

Thank you, Gesene. I appreciate you!

Karen Loucks Rinedollar's avatar

Oh Jacque- I am so proud of you for .... EVERYTHING! I can't imagine the challenges that you are facing yet to those of us looking from the outside in- you are Super Woman. You are forever there with a positive word, helping pick the rest of us up and keeping us on course- despite your own personal struggles. It has been a pure joy to watch you make such progress with your own writing this past year- while having the strength to keep encouraging the rest of us. Thank you for being the amazing you that you are. You are so cherished!

Jacque Stonehocker's avatar

Thank you so much, Karen! Your friendship lifts me up and gives me energy to keep moving forward.

Susan Clark's avatar

Jacque -- your baby steps, and your candid sharing of the context, inspires me with my momentum. Thank you for this!

Jacque Stonehocker's avatar

Thank you, Susan. Keep going. It alllll adds up.

Wendy Hill Williams's avatar

Jacque, I am sorry you have been in the Fog of neurological exhaustion. I know that well and just as we begin to take baby steps we fall on our bum. Thankfully most little ones get up again and forge forward as I know you do. Determined albeit tentative steps to explore the world. Forward moving.

A friend of mine told me a story about a friend of hers who has B12 deficiency (like me although I have many assorted other chronic illnesses), who stated in describing her fatigue, “I am so tired at a cellular level.” I said, “Yes, that’s it!” It may sound a bit dramatic but some chronic illnesses do affect every cell in the body. And the fatigue is so much more than tiredness, it flattens you, like you not being able to get up from your office floor. Thankfully you have crawled your way out to find or return to your creative self. I hate the setbacks, too, but I love the baby steps that we take to inch us forward.

Jacque Stonehocker's avatar

Oof! Yes, at the cellular level!! I am grateful we keep going, because our creativity and compassion are so needed. 🫶❤️🫶

Wendy Hill Williams's avatar

Yes, I am grateful, too. I am grateful for you! 💗

Tammy Douglas's avatar

Jacque I appreciate your heart so much! This piece gives me a new understanding of chronic illness and an even deeper respect for your positive and caring attitude. You are truly an inspiration. 🩷✨

Jacque Stonehocker's avatar

Tammy, thank you. 💖 Your writing, sharing, and consistent growth inspire me. Keep it up.

Standolyn Robertson's avatar

Jacque,

No matter the challenge, these words ring true.

Thank you for saying it your way. In some of your most challenging moments, you have the strength to lift us up. Thank you.

Jacque Stonehocker's avatar

Thank you, Standolyn. Your encouragement means SO much to me. I always feel my best during and after being in Community with you and our writing friends.

Caitlin Ellefson Spohrer's avatar

Sending you love, light, rest, and recovery. You have emitted all of these to me, and to others--may they come back to you in abundance. xo

Jacque Stonehocker's avatar

Your encouragement always means so much to me. Thank you, Caitlin.

Caitlin Ellefson Spohrer's avatar

I miss you, Jacque. Always here cheering you on!

Mere's Infinite Spoons's avatar

So well put, Jacque. I love this phrase: "season of recalibration..." That feels like a neutral, logical, delightfully emotionless name for what you've experiencing.

It IS still possible to accomplish goals. We just have to adjust the goals when we can't adjust our brain fog, fatigue, etc.

I love your "scrambled, clunky, hesitant" writing! 💖

Jacque Stonehocker's avatar

Thank you, Mere. We adapt. And press forward. Our dreams are always within our grasp. ❤️

ann schneider's avatar

Jacque, I just saw this. I am so amazed by all you have done and are doing. Your strength at this time, to do new things so well and to accomplish so much inspires me… and makes me feel that I do not do enough. I hope this stretch of health related “stuff” goes by quickly. Remember how strong you are. 💙

Jacque Stonehocker's avatar

Thank you, Ann. Your steady presence grounds me. You inspire me. Keep going!

Anu Morris's avatar

You are an inspiration! Thank you for sharing.

Jacque Stonehocker's avatar

Thank you, Anu. It is great that we can all inspire each other. Appreciate you!