19 Comments
User's avatar
Kat Unverricht's avatar

This is a beautiful piece of writing, your way of writing is so evocative and some of what you talk about resonates deeply. Thank you so much for sharing ❤️

Expand full comment
Karen May's avatar

Oh wow thank you! That means so much to me. I'm so glad it resonated with you ♥️

Expand full comment
Danusia Malina-Derben's avatar

Bravo Karen! What a stunning and rare medley that allows us in. What a privilege. I feel lucky.

Thank you for this terrifying act of daring you pulled off 💞

Expand full comment
Karen May's avatar

Genuinely that made me tear up! Thank you! What a wonderful comment ♥️

Expand full comment
J. Paul Moore's avatar

Lovely! We could have a long talk about Iceland. Listen to Icelandic Artist Olafur Arnalds to reunite you with the spirit of place https://open.spotify.com/track/1EEJBUOORu9dLZQSeQkZOP?si=dSh31E6XTLmwCR96MR_4Rw&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A69Q8uDA8C7EdKUo5oveufQ

Expand full comment
Karen May's avatar

I feel we could! What a magical place.

Strangely enough, I've listened to Olafur for a few years now but didn't make the link until you recommended him! He composed the soundtrack for the Broadchurch series in the UK and I loved the music. I had no clue he was Icelandic and listening to some of the pieces again, it's like I can see it all again in the music. Thank you for the recommendation and for reigniting my love of this musician.

Expand full comment
J. Paul Moore's avatar

I'm so glad you know about his music! I especially love the songs with Arnór Dan Arnarson singing. What a voice! I often review the many photos I made during the photography workshop I attended there, with the soundtrack of Olafur playing in the background.

Expand full comment
Karen May's avatar

Ooo I haven't heard those ones! I'll check them out for sure, adding them to my queue now. If you ever post the photos here, please please tag me! I would love to see them.

Expand full comment
Karen May's avatar

Brilliant, I'll have a listen! Thank you :)

Expand full comment
Mika's avatar

What a beautiful piece. I feel like I got to step into your intimate moments. Thank you. When I read this it feels is so aligned and heartfelt. Lovely to read and the hiakus and imagery were a great way to break up your entries. 😍

Expand full comment
Karen May's avatar

Thank you! I was so hesitant to put some of the pieces in, particularly the diary extracts, but it strangely felt right and I wanted to share some of them. Plus it's the fastest way to actually share what I'm thinking and feeling! But it did terrify me to do it!

Expand full comment
Tiffany Chu's avatar

Oh Karen, what beautiful and heart wrenching reflections. I love your observations of the world, how you see the beauty in those dewdrops and how you put them into words. The way you remind yourself to give to yourself, and how honestly you write about the anger and fear and rejection. As always, I'm grateful for the connection we've made.

Expand full comment
Karen May's avatar

Wow, thank you so much ☺️ I think when caring for someone else, it's easy to lose sight of the fact you have to care for yourself too. Honestly, I was very hesitant to put in about the anger and rejection! But it felt right. And I want to be honest. I know I'm not alone in feeling these things.

Expand full comment
Tiffany Chu's avatar

I relate to that so much.

Expand full comment
Emma Nelson's avatar

I love the style of this!!

Expand full comment
Karen May's avatar

Oh wow thank you! That’s so nice to hear, I’m still messing about with what sort of format I love to write and I was a bit worried about this one! So thank you very much 😊

Expand full comment
Emma Nelson's avatar

I love how unique it is. Don't be worried - you've got something special and different going on, and that's what we need to see on Substack :)

Expand full comment
Karen May's avatar

That means a lot, thank you so much :) I'm pleased with how it turned out myself and it's so lovely to hear it landed with someone else! Thank you :)

Expand full comment