I'm grateful this isn't a listicle. It really doesn't feel like the holidays (whatever that's supposed to feel like,) probably because we all have PTSD over the last year's travesties (not to mention the last decade.) I have no sweeping statements to make besides I'm always glad to see you here as you write from your whole heart. ❤️
Thank you for saying what so many of us are thinking and heartbroken over. It’s so difficult to have hope, especially at my older age……what kind of world will my grandchildren live in? Now I rely on the hope that in 3 years we can start reversing so much damage! Sending you some love and hugs.
Yes Sandy Hook sent me on a rant that I guess I will never stop. Sadly many people don’t show up at gun violence marches in my area but I do. I lived less than 5 miles from Mother Emanuel church before I moved to my new town. 😭
I will never vote for anyone that doesn’t make doing something about gun violence a top priority. I will be spending part of Christmas Day with my niece and her new husband at their house. It has been 4 years since I attended a family Christmas gathering. The younger generation is cool. Let’s hope the elder ones keep their mouths shut because my filter no longer exits. Love and hugs to you and yours! ❤️
Every time I sit down to try to continue the essay I've been working on, I just can't. I'm a serious man who writes about serious things, sad things, disturbing things, crucial things, and for the love of toilet paper, I can't. It's all so obvious the layered peril we are in...and we collectively just keep going through the motions no matter what new farm fresh hell rears its head.
I'm worn out. Clinging. I need sanctuary.
I think I'll try some dark humor. Some gallows laughs. Because, fuuuck.
Keep kicking the dark, Ally. I'll always cheer ya on.
A hard essay to read, Ally, but I'm glad you didn't write a listicle. If I had just one Christmas wish, it would be to find a way to box up all that empathy you have so much of to give as gifts to all those who do not. Imagine all these heartless hate-mongers opening their gifts on Christmas morning, and breathing in the sweet smell of empathy. Imagine it sinking into their souls. That would be a Christmas miracle worth praying for!
Merry Christmas, Ally. I hope you find some peace this holiday season.
Through my tears, I read your words which resonate to my heart of hearts in the despair we are living through. Thank you for saying the truth which many of us feel. Light your candles tonight as I light my Christmas tree because we are in this together. Thank you, Ally.
It's a great essay. I am well past menopause, and I am also full of rage. But as a gift to myself, I have decided to forgo despair. I did inherit my mother's persistent optimism, although it's less indestructible than hers was.
It's been a crazy week in New England, and while it's true that the FBI does not inspire confidence these days, the Providence police chief is both a smart and a tough cookie. I don't believe he would let a sloppy report go public. Fingers crossed.
Wishing you and your family happy holidays, and a brighter 2026 for all of us🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
Wow, Ally, thank you. Pieces like this, writers like you, are chronicling the madness as seen by so many of us. It’s vital and important work and I honor you. I believe, against despair, that what we do right now—how we process this incalculably horrific time—is in some way reforming our collective DNA, setting in motion agents of change that will result, perhaps only millennia hence, in a more just and happy and peace-filled world.
I'm grateful this isn't a listicle. It really doesn't feel like the holidays (whatever that's supposed to feel like,) probably because we all have PTSD over the last year's travesties (not to mention the last decade.) I have no sweeping statements to make besides I'm always glad to see you here as you write from your whole heart. ❤️
I feel your heart and soul in every single word of this. And I am with you 100%, sister. 💙
Thank you for saying what so many of us are thinking and heartbroken over. It’s so difficult to have hope, especially at my older age……what kind of world will my grandchildren live in? Now I rely on the hope that in 3 years we can start reversing so much damage! Sending you some love and hugs.
I don't even know what to say anymore. I'm so thankful that you can find words. Sending so much love...
Yes Sandy Hook sent me on a rant that I guess I will never stop. Sadly many people don’t show up at gun violence marches in my area but I do. I lived less than 5 miles from Mother Emanuel church before I moved to my new town. 😭
I will never vote for anyone that doesn’t make doing something about gun violence a top priority. I will be spending part of Christmas Day with my niece and her new husband at their house. It has been 4 years since I attended a family Christmas gathering. The younger generation is cool. Let’s hope the elder ones keep their mouths shut because my filter no longer exits. Love and hugs to you and yours! ❤️
Every time I sit down to try to continue the essay I've been working on, I just can't. I'm a serious man who writes about serious things, sad things, disturbing things, crucial things, and for the love of toilet paper, I can't. It's all so obvious the layered peril we are in...and we collectively just keep going through the motions no matter what new farm fresh hell rears its head.
I'm worn out. Clinging. I need sanctuary.
I think I'll try some dark humor. Some gallows laughs. Because, fuuuck.
Keep kicking the dark, Ally. I'll always cheer ya on.
A hard essay to read, Ally, but I'm glad you didn't write a listicle. If I had just one Christmas wish, it would be to find a way to box up all that empathy you have so much of to give as gifts to all those who do not. Imagine all these heartless hate-mongers opening their gifts on Christmas morning, and breathing in the sweet smell of empathy. Imagine it sinking into their souls. That would be a Christmas miracle worth praying for!
Merry Christmas, Ally. I hope you find some peace this holiday season.
Through my tears, I read your words which resonate to my heart of hearts in the despair we are living through. Thank you for saying the truth which many of us feel. Light your candles tonight as I light my Christmas tree because we are in this together. Thank you, Ally.
I don’t know if you felt better after writing this, but I felt better after reading it.
Dear Ally, Merry Christmas❤️
It's a great essay. I am well past menopause, and I am also full of rage. But as a gift to myself, I have decided to forgo despair. I did inherit my mother's persistent optimism, although it's less indestructible than hers was.
It's been a crazy week in New England, and while it's true that the FBI does not inspire confidence these days, the Providence police chief is both a smart and a tough cookie. I don't believe he would let a sloppy report go public. Fingers crossed.
Wishing you and your family happy holidays, and a brighter 2026 for all of us🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
Wow, Ally, thank you. Pieces like this, writers like you, are chronicling the madness as seen by so many of us. It’s vital and important work and I honor you. I believe, against despair, that what we do right now—how we process this incalculably horrific time—is in some way reforming our collective DNA, setting in motion agents of change that will result, perhaps only millennia hence, in a more just and happy and peace-filled world.
FWIW I have found hope in the Vedic conception of the universe and the slow turning of the cosmic wheel towards love and healing. I found that my hopeful belief that we are living in the death throes of the patriarchy finds a place in this cosmology, at least as communicated by this Substack writer: https://open.substack.com/pub/fieldkeepercodex/p/the-10000-year-glitch-patriarchy?r=16gla&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay
May you have, in spite of headlines, a joy and love filled holidays with your family and friends.
Much respect. Peace.
This was a difficult, essential read. Such necessary words, all of it. They will not win. Thanks for this, Ally.
I was riveted by this. It filled me up, despite the awful truth of our world. That’s good writing right there.