"When the people I love love the things I make, the little ways I show them who I am in my underneath, something in me glows." Oh my heart.
Saying someone has a gift always feels a little unfair, like it diminishes the skill and the work put in. So I'll just say, I appreciate your gift, your skill, your work, and your triumphs. Everything I've ever read from you lands straight in my stomach, and for just a moment my world is always better. Thank you.
This sentence resonated with me so much too! I'm always especially moved but Ashley's interviews—something about her words AND her voice. Come to think of it, I should totally re-experience her book in audio format of it's already available.
Your writing is so comforting...I don't know any other way to explain it. I want to wrap myself in it a stay awhile. I'm so happy you decided to do a newsletter.
"Nobody does it all on their own. I always knew that, but now I believe it too." Thank you for sharing this. It's really hard for me to ask for help. I'm working on moving from knowing to believing.
What a gift you give us. I truly appreciate you sharing authentic yourself as well as allowing us an opportunity to get to know you -- and ourselves -- better. Will look forward to your notes.
That's crushing not even having the expectation she would read it. I feel like my parents would read what I wrote in secret and never say a word. I'd wait for their displeasure or their excitement and I would get their utter distance (even as we sit next to each other).
Also, I live for that glow you mentioned. I haven't learned entirely how to make it show up consistently, but I'm getting the sense of it being present whenever I get to choose between being myself and being a version of me the world dictates. Getting to see and feel your glow certainly gets me closer to my own, so thank you for the book, the interviews, and the continued writing here.
Ashley- there is a simplicity, clarity and wisdom in the way you write which I love. So glad you are doing a newsletter. Looking forward to reading your book!
Beautiful post. I miss the old blog days....the longer than 140 characters or just a pic days. But in those olden, golden days, the postings were not every few days, or even once a week. They were some thoughtful writing posted whenever they felt like it. Glad you have help...you are so right. I may not have my mother's help but no one makes it alone. xx
We'll see how this space evolves over time, but I like the idea of a regimen for now. It feels good to make a commitment to myself, and my readers. I'll keep going as long as it feels useful. Thanks for joining me here, Deborah!
So so so much to relate to. Your writing is such a heart-connector, and I'm so grateful for the comfort and community you create with every word. Looking forward to all of your notes :)
Thank you, thank you Ashley C Ford for doing a newsletter. It's a wonderful idea. And I'm glad you have support in doing it. Having read your post I marvel at your gifts and I am filled with gratitude for being able to witness your process. With deep admiration, Lisa
I'm grateful for everything you write, for all the explaining of yourself you do, even when you shouldn't have to. Thank you for your voice, and for sharing it with us. I'm a native Hoosier who spent my teenage years in Fort Wayne, and everything you say about Indiana, about Fort Wayne and Indy and all of it... speaks to me, even though I'm older than you, white, and went to North Side :)
I feel that my family and friends have been complicit in an evil that so deep it’s hard for me to name it. But, I’m glad you have a friend to help you manage your newsletter and I loved your book. I’ll be reading whatever you write! Wishing you all the best.
(Also, I’m not sure family or friends will ever be really honest about anything other than how much they dislike me. 🥲😂)
I loved Somebody's Daughter and love this entry, too. I've been writing a memoir for close to 20 years and your thought that "If someone I love didn’t love my book, it would be okay. I already loved it enough for both of us" feels powerful and exactly the criteria I need to use to let it be done--have I loved it enough? Does it represent "my most potent creative self"? Thank you.
"When the people I love love the things I make, the little ways I show them who I am in my underneath, something in me glows." Oh my heart.
Saying someone has a gift always feels a little unfair, like it diminishes the skill and the work put in. So I'll just say, I appreciate your gift, your skill, your work, and your triumphs. Everything I've ever read from you lands straight in my stomach, and for just a moment my world is always better. Thank you.
This sentence resonated with me so much too! I'm always especially moved but Ashley's interviews—something about her words AND her voice. Come to think of it, I should totally re-experience her book in audio format of it's already available.
That's really kind of you to say, Celia. Thank you.
Your writing is so comforting...I don't know any other way to explain it. I want to wrap myself in it a stay awhile. I'm so happy you decided to do a newsletter.
"Nobody does it all on their own. I always knew that, but now I believe it too." Thank you for sharing this. It's really hard for me to ask for help. I'm working on moving from knowing to believing.
What a gift you give us. I truly appreciate you sharing authentic yourself as well as allowing us an opportunity to get to know you -- and ourselves -- better. Will look forward to your notes.
Thanks for hanging around, Angie :)
That's crushing not even having the expectation she would read it. I feel like my parents would read what I wrote in secret and never say a word. I'd wait for their displeasure or their excitement and I would get their utter distance (even as we sit next to each other).
Also, I live for that glow you mentioned. I haven't learned entirely how to make it show up consistently, but I'm getting the sense of it being present whenever I get to choose between being myself and being a version of me the world dictates. Getting to see and feel your glow certainly gets me closer to my own, so thank you for the book, the interviews, and the continued writing here.
Being aware of when you feel most like you want to feel sounds like good practice for finding that feeling more and more often!
Ashley- there is a simplicity, clarity and wisdom in the way you write which I love. So glad you are doing a newsletter. Looking forward to reading your book!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy the book.
Beautiful post. I miss the old blog days....the longer than 140 characters or just a pic days. But in those olden, golden days, the postings were not every few days, or even once a week. They were some thoughtful writing posted whenever they felt like it. Glad you have help...you are so right. I may not have my mother's help but no one makes it alone. xx
We'll see how this space evolves over time, but I like the idea of a regimen for now. It feels good to make a commitment to myself, and my readers. I'll keep going as long as it feels useful. Thanks for joining me here, Deborah!
X
So so so much to relate to. Your writing is such a heart-connector, and I'm so grateful for the comfort and community you create with every word. Looking forward to all of your notes :)
I like "heart-connecter" :)
Thank you Ashley. Reading your words makes my day better.
Thank you, thank you Ashley C Ford for doing a newsletter. It's a wonderful idea. And I'm glad you have support in doing it. Having read your post I marvel at your gifts and I am filled with gratitude for being able to witness your process. With deep admiration, Lisa
I'm grateful for everything you write, for all the explaining of yourself you do, even when you shouldn't have to. Thank you for your voice, and for sharing it with us. I'm a native Hoosier who spent my teenage years in Fort Wayne, and everything you say about Indiana, about Fort Wayne and Indy and all of it... speaks to me, even though I'm older than you, white, and went to North Side :)
I feel that my family and friends have been complicit in an evil that so deep it’s hard for me to name it. But, I’m glad you have a friend to help you manage your newsletter and I loved your book. I’ll be reading whatever you write! Wishing you all the best.
(Also, I’m not sure family or friends will ever be really honest about anything other than how much they dislike me. 🥲😂)
Hello, Ashely, well done. I love the way you write
I loved Somebody's Daughter and love this entry, too. I've been writing a memoir for close to 20 years and your thought that "If someone I love didn’t love my book, it would be okay. I already loved it enough for both of us" feels powerful and exactly the criteria I need to use to let it be done--have I loved it enough? Does it represent "my most potent creative self"? Thank you.
Very well said Ashley congratulations.
It's amazing how man and woman can feel the same emotion and one make better choices than the last.
Will certainly review more articulation regarding speculation of this space we call earthation...