Peonies were my wedding bouquet flower, so imagine my excitement when I moved to the countryside of upstate NY & discovered three peony bushes next to my house. They really are wondrous, and your descriptions of them are glorious. I see death in them too, and also hope, if only for a flicker of time.
Thank you for a moment of beauty. I struggle with depression and anxiety, sometimes more and sometimes less. I also have a 6 year old kindergartener and when they were born I experienced horrible post-partum depression and anxiety. My anxiety attacks could be triggered by anything and would snowball into intrusive thoughts of me either not being able to keep my baby safe from the world or leaving them motherless. With support from family and friends and tons of therapy and medication I was able to move past it and enjoy motherhood. I am not sure why I am sharing this as these feelings are extremely subjective, but right now, I feel complete hopelessness. With each of these horrors it feels like my family becomes more likely to be destroyed in a massacre and there's nothing I can do but witness it.
And yet, amid all the challenges you describe, you are witnessing to the beauty of Saeed's words and Ohio's peonies; to the precious value of your child and family and friends; to your own courage in sharing personally with this mostly anonymous community gathered here; etc. The light you are shining holds off the darkness - the best we can do at any moment.
"It would be enough for all of us to make it home tonight. A miracle even." right to the gut. thank you.
same. 💓
Peonies were my wedding bouquet flower, so imagine my excitement when I moved to the countryside of upstate NY & discovered three peony bushes next to my house. They really are wondrous, and your descriptions of them are glorious. I see death in them too, and also hope, if only for a flicker of time.
Thank you for a moment of beauty. I struggle with depression and anxiety, sometimes more and sometimes less. I also have a 6 year old kindergartener and when they were born I experienced horrible post-partum depression and anxiety. My anxiety attacks could be triggered by anything and would snowball into intrusive thoughts of me either not being able to keep my baby safe from the world or leaving them motherless. With support from family and friends and tons of therapy and medication I was able to move past it and enjoy motherhood. I am not sure why I am sharing this as these feelings are extremely subjective, but right now, I feel complete hopelessness. With each of these horrors it feels like my family becomes more likely to be destroyed in a massacre and there's nothing I can do but witness it.
And yet, amid all the challenges you describe, you are witnessing to the beauty of Saeed's words and Ohio's peonies; to the precious value of your child and family and friends; to your own courage in sharing personally with this mostly anonymous community gathered here; etc. The light you are shining holds off the darkness - the best we can do at any moment.
This was badly-needed balm. Thank you.
"The flowers always seem to be exhausted by their own opulence, ready to leave us right as they arrive."
Fabulous diva flowers, leaving us breathless with joy and always wanting more!
Every day above ground. 🌸
I needed this today. Thank you for your beautiful words. ❤️
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Beautiful words for this heavy time, thank you.
Thank you.
thank you for sharing~
"Extravagant brevity" is such a beautiful sentiment
❤️
my heart. this shone a light on my heart. thank you
Peony season is one of my favorite times of year for the same reasons—it’s brief and beautiful
Thank you. I came across this doing research. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4084c.pm006895/?r=0.249,0.275,0.47,0.278,0 I am grateful you are in Ohio and tell its story. It makes me feel seen and in community.