Yesterday I found myself wandering through the Christmas section of a nearby department store. It’s cold here in Stockholm. Minus fifteen. And it’s dark. And I’ve moved to a small flat, which I share with my two sons … who like to wrestle and bicker and play Fortnite. There’s also a litter tray, because the cat is approximately 110 years old and she won’t leave the house in these temperatures, under any circumstances. Plus, I mostly work at home.
Oh my Cary, so much of this resonated with me! First of all, yes, "my cooking mojo has packed up and vanished and I’m truly not sure it will ever return." I can barely even bake these days. What has happened?? :) And the stars and the metaphor(s) they hold. I love how you wove this story. There is so so so much to say about a marriage dissolving and the days following and the interactions with your ex ( I call mine the Once Husband now. It seems softer and more representative that we had a huge life together). I love how you just told this one part. I used to think I could tell the whole story of me and my once in one full swoop and it turns out I cannot. Our story comes out in little wisps of love or pain in my writing here and there. And I think that's how it is for me. That marriage is utterly woven into the fabric of me. I am not that woman anymore, but I love her and want her to feel welcome in the new me.
I could feel your hope and your ties to the you of last year but are no longer now. It was just a beautiful piece on coming into your own as a woman after divorce. Thank you for sharing! ❤
I have those stars still in their packets at the bottom of my Christmas decoration box too. Every year I think life will be less frantic and there'll be time to put them together but there never is.. Beautifully written piece.
This is the rise of the Queenager. This demographic has become so significant in terms of travel that this term has recently been coined to describe a new generation of women at the helm of their own lifeships barely a generation and a bit after they would have been laughed at when driving a car.
Oh my Cary, so much of this resonated with me! First of all, yes, "my cooking mojo has packed up and vanished and I’m truly not sure it will ever return." I can barely even bake these days. What has happened?? :) And the stars and the metaphor(s) they hold. I love how you wove this story. There is so so so much to say about a marriage dissolving and the days following and the interactions with your ex ( I call mine the Once Husband now. It seems softer and more representative that we had a huge life together). I love how you just told this one part. I used to think I could tell the whole story of me and my once in one full swoop and it turns out I cannot. Our story comes out in little wisps of love or pain in my writing here and there. And I think that's how it is for me. That marriage is utterly woven into the fabric of me. I am not that woman anymore, but I love her and want her to feel welcome in the new me.
I could feel your hope and your ties to the you of last year but are no longer now. It was just a beautiful piece on coming into your own as a woman after divorce. Thank you for sharing! ❤
Beautifully written. I too have been one of those women in the department store, searching, and you bring dignity to that sense of being lost.
I have those stars still in their packets at the bottom of my Christmas decoration box too. Every year I think life will be less frantic and there'll be time to put them together but there never is.. Beautifully written piece.
The more painful your experiences are, Cary, the funnier they get! (Sorry! 😂)
Hi Cary, a great piece that I enjoyed reading. Hope that your transition back to the UK goes well.
This is the rise of the Queenager. This demographic has become so significant in terms of travel that this term has recently been coined to describe a new generation of women at the helm of their own lifeships barely a generation and a bit after they would have been laughed at when driving a car.
Take no prisoners - I love it!
Love it! Yes. You made me laugh, Cary. ;)