Wow, powerful, probing piece, Linda. You’ve brought the cold clarity of a pressure-produced diamond and the iridescent glow of an irritation-produced pearl into a poignant examination of love. The past is never past.
Keep all those hard-won jewels and that thin chain with the annoying clasp. (I have the same clasp on the necklace that holds my grandmother’s and mother’s diamond. It is becoming increasingly annoying as my eyesight diminishes.)
Beautifully crafted story with a vulnerability that aches and shines in equal measure. We all have a ‘Ryker’ whether it is a person, a trauma, or an object. For me, your story illuminates the complex and often lengthy bridge between heartbreak and healing. I’m grateful to have read it.
Mezmerizing. Reading along, it struck me that the memories returning and merging with new experience alluded to the escalator –thoughts turning over and over whether one is actively on the escalator (attending to those memories) or not. The imagery is wonderfully and richly woven in throughout. Well done!
I really wanted you to ditch the necklace and be done.
Exactly how I feel most days, Toni. Every time I swim the lake, I think yes, this crossing, I'll ditch it and free myself.
Linda, what a beautifully observed story about the diamond necklace.
Thank you for putting this story into Sneaker Wave!
Your hopeful story of the grit that made the pearl is nagging at me now. That’s what you want in a story, no? Thanks. Good writing.
I'd say yes, Jennifer! the nag, the no easy answer, the complexity and contradictions makes it interesting.
Fantastic piece of writing. You illuminate something few people talk about. Just wonderful!
A meaty and beautiful piece. It will stay with me.
Wow, powerful, probing piece, Linda. You’ve brought the cold clarity of a pressure-produced diamond and the iridescent glow of an irritation-produced pearl into a poignant examination of love. The past is never past.
Keep all those hard-won jewels and that thin chain with the annoying clasp. (I have the same clasp on the necklace that holds my grandmother’s and mother’s diamond. It is becoming increasingly annoying as my eyesight diminishes.)
Thanks, Ellen, I appreciate the perspective you've seen here. And the past never being past is so true.
Beautifully crafted story with a vulnerability that aches and shines in equal measure. We all have a ‘Ryker’ whether it is a person, a trauma, or an object. For me, your story illuminates the complex and often lengthy bridge between heartbreak and healing. I’m grateful to have read it.
Fascinating. A truly insightful perspective on self-worth.
So beautiful. Luminous, in fact.
Mezmerizing. Reading along, it struck me that the memories returning and merging with new experience alluded to the escalator –thoughts turning over and over whether one is actively on the escalator (attending to those memories) or not. The imagery is wonderfully and richly woven in throughout. Well done!