NJ, first, I love your artwork! I’m an illustrator at heart. Secondly, I love your writing style. I know both of those skills require substantial time and effort and giftedness; which, I respect and admire. Lastly, you’ve sparked an inspiration in me to write a similar story about my grandfather. His story has some nuances that lead to redemption. Thank you for sharing! I’m gonna smash that Subscribe button! 😎
I wish I was an illustrator I think I’d be truly unstoppable I mostly just put the artwork together in canva but I appreciate that you like it. Nice to know my time isn’t wasted. Also thank you so much for reading my work. I hope you do write and share the piece about your grandpa. We need to tell these stories even if we give em a little drama
Wow I felt so immersed in this, not only because of your writing style, but because this story hit very close to home. I have a family member who is a vacuum forever hungry for discord. I know why he’s like that and I also know that estrangement was the only course I had to save myself. I saw bits of him in Elias and Jackson, and though I am my relative’s kin, I’m committed to making better choices.
This reminds me of the stories my mother and grandmother told me about my grandfather. Smooth with the ladies and a member of a popular singing group in the 60s in St. Louis. He died in the early 90s but I remember the look on my mother and grandmothers' faces. When we visited him in the hospital, not a tear in sight and they never mourned his death. My grandmother was happy he was gone.
My father also sharing some interesting stories about his parents, like the time my grandmother had a curse on her for messing with a married man.😭
For real! Why are y'all acting up like that😂? Listening to their stories were hard and I'm glad they told me because it explains why they feel a certain way about their parents.
There is SO MUCH in here that speaks to my former marriage to a pastor 15 years my senior. He was a charismatic thing of beauty outside our home, but pure asshole at home.
He wasn’t physically violent, unless you count withholding sex from (to me that was violence). But there was so much pain — so much of it for the children (2 of whom I had from previous relationships), and for me.
Too many sentences that landed like bombs. Too many well placed words. Too many sentences singing in harmony with the whole. Absolutely outstanding from start to finish. I've been following you lurkin' for weeks on notes but you got me to smash subscribe with one sentence. I'd gladly pay for your writing if currently able, but, we upside down and on fire round here right now. Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeously written. Please, just keep writing.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for subscribing! I am very aware of the reality of most people’s finances so I am grateful for your subscription as it currently stands. Sharing and commenting is more than enough for me. I encourage you to go digging in the archives if you loved this one you’ll probably love “smiling with no teeth” or “the gift”. Excited for you to join me on this story telling journey
Oh wow 🥹 well this was the perfect comment so thank you so much for reading Hillary!! If you want to come back and chat some more about it I’m always here to geek out. Appreciate your time
This is as heart-wrenching as it is beautiful. The poetic imagery of the shards made me stop and read those lines several times over.
🥹🥹🥹
NJ, first, I love your artwork! I’m an illustrator at heart. Secondly, I love your writing style. I know both of those skills require substantial time and effort and giftedness; which, I respect and admire. Lastly, you’ve sparked an inspiration in me to write a similar story about my grandfather. His story has some nuances that lead to redemption. Thank you for sharing! I’m gonna smash that Subscribe button! 😎
I wish I was an illustrator I think I’d be truly unstoppable I mostly just put the artwork together in canva but I appreciate that you like it. Nice to know my time isn’t wasted. Also thank you so much for reading my work. I hope you do write and share the piece about your grandpa. We need to tell these stories even if we give em a little drama
I’ll give you a shout out when I do write it.
Looking forward to reading it
Wow I felt so immersed in this, not only because of your writing style, but because this story hit very close to home. I have a family member who is a vacuum forever hungry for discord. I know why he’s like that and I also know that estrangement was the only course I had to save myself. I saw bits of him in Elias and Jackson, and though I am my relative’s kin, I’m committed to making better choices.
I’m so happy you have chosen yourself! To freedom (and peace). ☕️🫖
I just felt like I was in a church of thousands of people and the preacher was looking at me the whole sermon, thank you
Uht not me being the preacher with the pen!! Thanks so much for reading Joshua I appreciate you taking the time 🖤
This reminds me of the stories my mother and grandmother told me about my grandfather. Smooth with the ladies and a member of a popular singing group in the 60s in St. Louis. He died in the early 90s but I remember the look on my mother and grandmothers' faces. When we visited him in the hospital, not a tear in sight and they never mourned his death. My grandmother was happy he was gone.
My father also sharing some interesting stories about his parents, like the time my grandmother had a curse on her for messing with a married man.😭
Another wonderfully crafted story NJ!♥️
Not grandpa AND grandma acting up 😂😂😂 our elders really were some hot steppers my lord
For real! Why are y'all acting up like that😂? Listening to their stories were hard and I'm glad they told me because it explains why they feel a certain way about their parents.
This is stunning af
thank you so much Will!
There is SO MUCH in here that speaks to my former marriage to a pastor 15 years my senior. He was a charismatic thing of beauty outside our home, but pure asshole at home.
He wasn’t physically violent, unless you count withholding sex from (to me that was violence). But there was so much pain — so much of it for the children (2 of whom I had from previous relationships), and for me.
Sending you love and so glad that you are now free! Thank you for reading and wishing you eternal healing and joy
Asé. I receive that and send it back to you some one-thousand fold 💙
🥹 that is so kind!! And I’m accepting it also. May the universe hear it
So immersed in the tactile and the sensory, so vivid and lived-in. Great stuff NJ.
What a wonderful description. Thanks A.P!
Too many sentences that landed like bombs. Too many well placed words. Too many sentences singing in harmony with the whole. Absolutely outstanding from start to finish. I've been following you lurkin' for weeks on notes but you got me to smash subscribe with one sentence. I'd gladly pay for your writing if currently able, but, we upside down and on fire round here right now. Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeously written. Please, just keep writing.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for subscribing! I am very aware of the reality of most people’s finances so I am grateful for your subscription as it currently stands. Sharing and commenting is more than enough for me. I encourage you to go digging in the archives if you loved this one you’ll probably love “smiling with no teeth” or “the gift”. Excited for you to join me on this story telling journey
this was hell to read and I'm so fucking grateful for it
🥹🥹 thank you so very much Zani
Powerful. I love family tales- the good, the bad, the ugly- the joy, the pain- all of it. Well done
Thank you for reading I’m so glad you enjoyed the story
Beautiful as always. Thank you for writing
Thanks so much Moyosoreoluwa
I’ve rewritten my comment 3 times and it all pales in comparison to your piece, so I’ll just say thank you
Oh wow 🥹 well this was the perfect comment so thank you so much for reading Hillary!! If you want to come back and chat some more about it I’m always here to geek out. Appreciate your time
Just a little too excited while reading this...
So much emotions. Your pen is powerful.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing!! Appreciate you and I’m glad you enjoyed