A letter to Heather
For Heather Hubler's 'Write me a letter' Challenge
This letter is for Heather, but read it too, if you want to. Written in response to her letter challenge post, below.
Dear Heather,
I know, this letter could have been to anyone, and we don’t know each other at all. I could have written something ethereal or poignant or witty or revealing, but I’m going with authentic. I wanted to write, and see how you are. Yes, others might read this, but I’m writing from me to you. You see, I heard bits of what you said, and thought “yes, oh yes, I know”, but then of course I recognise that I don’t know, do I? My kids are a little younger than yours, and there’s only half as many, but dear lord do they keep my busy. And I don’t mean just the ferrying about or the feeding. I mean the negotiating, the deescalating, the worrying. Some days, I feel like I’m getting it all wrong, and maybe I am, but the truth is, some families are soaking up troubles other families know nothing about. Probably most families are, in different ways. Then you add the extras in – the big stuff on top of the every-day stuff, and you realise how little capacity you had left. But that’s what I’m struck by with you, it seems to me that even when you’re feeling full to the brim, you make space for people. Family, yes, always I’m guessing, but also I felt like your letter was a little tap on the arm saying “I know you’ve not seen me around so much lately, but I’ve been keeping an eye out, and I’d love to catch up just as soon as we are both free.” And you had the generosity to make that an open invitation. So let’s catch up.
How’s the novel coming? Have those parallel worlds taken shape in your mind? Do you know how it ends before you start, or are you waiting to see what comes? I mean, you’ve got to be an expert by experience on the art of a good read, the way you devour books. I’m finding it so hard to read much lately. Partly it’s the being busy, partly it because I keep reading things here instead of picking up a book. Getting really pulled into a book is such an amazing feeling though, isn’t it? Just to lose yourself, be somewhere else, sometime else, someone else. I love it. I do think it can stop us learning to sit with our own horrible feelings though. Why sit with them, when we can go elsewhere? Pain once removed is kind of easier to bear. But sometimes its adventure and sometimes its avoidance, for me at least. What’s the difference, really? I guess one is going towards, one is running from.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that maybe I do have a clue what you face in your life, maybe I don’t, but I do feel like I know you’ll navigate it. Shit happens, and we get knocked off the path we thought we were on all the time. Sometimes I think we can burn up so much energy trying to get back on the path we thought we SHOULD be on, instead of building the things that matter to us on the path we ARE on, and I feel like that is something you know how to do, keep what counts, and head out onto the next path, making an adventure of it along the way. Maybe pulling out that novel is part of that. But others who KNOW you know you, what do you think they would say?
I’m starting a new adventure myself soon. Got a new job starting in about a month, and SO much to do wrapping up this one before I finish, alongside the general ongoing family shit show. On top of that, we are dog sitting for my parents. They were due back last night but their flight got cancelled, and talk about outstaying your welcome. This morning, I took the beast out to walk in the cemetery round the corner. She seemed to be lingering a little too long behind the chapel, so I amble over to see what’s going on, and she turns to me…with a human fucking poo hanging out her mouth. Oh dear lord, revolting creature. To be fair, who expects to find a human poo in the cemetery, but we don’t live in the nicest area! I’ve just come home from chasing this dog between the grave stones yelling “DROP IT” while she zoomed around looking delighted with herself. She’s not shy with the kisses, either. Eugh. God knows what any passers-by thought.
Right, I am off to make lunch, not that I feel like it now. But Heather, whatever it is you have going on, I want you to ask yourself one question…what would Maverick do?
Much love,
Hannah
About the Creator
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More stories from Hannah Moore and writers in Confessions and other communities.
Dead Leaves
It is not autumn itself that's the problem. No, I love autumn, with its energising climate after the alternating fug and disappointment of the English summer, its warm colours glowing in lowering sun, its iconography of harvest bounty and shenanigans in the borderlands between this world and the next. Potion brewing and tree hugging and pulling in to the nest, I have to say, it suits me well. Except. When I go to see the dentist, the smell of the waiting room makes me want to run. The airport feels only marginally less stifling than the plane, and the anticipation of a dreaded meeting is as unsettling as the meeting itself.
By Hannah Moore7 months ago in Confessions
📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 05/09/2024
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted every other Thursday at 12PM ET to offer creators more avenues to uncover exceptional stories on Vocal. As we are continuously searching for fresh creators and inspiring stories, this thread provides an opportunity to exchange and discuss the stories that have moved and motivated us on Vocal.
By Raise Your Voice by Vocala day ago in Resources
Comments (29)
Damn. Thought I had commented on this piece of authenticity from you Ms Moore, but guess I hadn't so here goes. Always love how genuine and authentic you are, you are just you and a great writer and seem to a great person too! This is lovely...so much genuineness and that story about the poo lol! Congrats on this getting Top Story.
Lovely.
A nice letter of empathy and authenticity. Who wouldn't want a letter from a friend like that? 🙏Pernoste
Wow! This was certainly deserving of a top story!! What an awesome letter!! Congratulations!
Wonderful letter!!@ congratulations on Top Story!!!💕♥️♥️
Aww, congrats on Top Story :) I loved reading it again!
I loved this. So open and honest. The poo part had me laughing out loud. Congrats on Top Story
I am impressed
I love it! This is fantastic! 💙
Congratulations on your Top Story🧨💞💥
Popping back to say congratulations 🤍
I am back to say Congratulations.
Congratulations on achieving top story status!❤️.
Oh this was just perfect, Hannah!! The kind of letter we all want to receive ❤️. Ewwww the poop though 🤣
Great letter ✉️ and Congratulations on your Top Story🎉💯
Oh my what a wonderful letter. Filled with honesty and genuine concern. And that dog bit. Sorry, but I had to laugh. Congrats on the TS.
I love the absolute authenticity in this and I see Heather has already chimed in. I think I still have one more letter to write, but not for the challenge, just for Heather. You did a marvelous job with this, right down to the poo story! Congratulations on a marvelous Top Story!
Funny! You genuinely did just write that, didn't you? Excellent.
GREAT story especially since truth is stranger than fiction and often people can't which is what. As writers, we could live in both worlds and who'd really know? This is a fantastic story and I love it!
Ewwwww! Why would anyone poop in a cemetary? Like have they not heard of a toilet? So disrespected to the dead. I loved your letter!
This felt like a warm hug to read…. It feels like such a genuine extension of and for connection, really beautifully written. If I had an address I would so want to be your pen pal 😉🥰
I feel of this so deeply—the connection, the authenticity, the empathy. This is so precious in our world today, where many things have short circuited the beautiful cycles of organic relationships, and left us writhing in uncertainty and inadequacy. This letter so brilliantly addresses Heather’s feelings and needs, with a gentle understanding that says, I see you, I hear you, here’s my hand. ❤️
I've read through this about 5 times now, just soaking in the genuine thoughtfulness, and I'm not afraid to say it made me cry (and laugh - I know all about dog's wanting to eat crap they find while sniffing around...mine prefers deer droppings!). I rarely get time to interact with adults that are not in my family. I have my two best friends, but they both have kids and busy schedules, so we often play phone tag. I don't often get asked how I'm truly feeling. I'm betting most of us may not. And that's sad to me. So I thank you for this bright spot in my day. It felt like when Steve from Blue's Clues stared at the screen like he really cared and asked how we were. I feel most days that I'm drowning and not just waiting for the other shoe to drop, but knowing it will. My heart hurts seeing this world around us on what feels like a downward spiral. You completely got what I was saying in my letter about still being around. There have been some major issues that have kept me away, but I miss the camaraderie and the inspiration. I've needed to make some decisions on my novel for awhile that had to be done before I could move on, and I've finally made them. This will fall more into fantasy than sci-fi now, so I've embarked on world building which is so incredibly satisfying. I feel good about it, really solid in my choices for the first time :) I'm so excited for you and your new adventure! I made a major career change about 3 years ago...it was a long process to leave but ultimately the right choice. Please keep me posted! I'll be here cheering you on :) And yeah, what WOULD Maverick do...hahaha! Thank you again for this, H
Dear Hannah, I hope you get a response from Heather. Nice letter I love seeing how a friendships begins
Hannah, your letter is a testament to the power of authentic and supportive friendship, It is very heart-worming letter 😊🐶🌟