29 Comments

Whew I know I’m gonna love it here 😮‍💨💗

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LOL!

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“I knew itttttt.” A masterpiece. Thank you internet lady for sharing these stories with the world. So glad I get a front seat at loving on you and Atty Pootie. So proud of you shugga <3

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🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍

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Immaculate work as always. You have a way with words and pictures. A true talent

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wow - thank you for sharing this with us. godspeed.

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Your words flow so effortlessly ✨️ thank you for sharing your truth

-Godspeed friend

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I am a Black Goddess, single mother to a soon to be 8 year old. When I saw the title to this blog on IG I almost cried. I was fine until a couple years ago. I could take care of a baby with my eye closed. How you felt overwhelmed at times with your son is how I feel now. The answer is in community and capacity. How you look at the thoughts/situation as you detailed. I've considered how I could abandon her and run away, acquire a 1 way ticket to my favorite country. It's not that we want to leave. Wd just need HELP.

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Hi Mari, I am so sorry you are feeling this way. The best thing you can remember is this is just a season. The only way out is through. Utilize your community, talk to them, allow yourself to be loved on by them. I’m sending you positive energy and love. Godspeed to you lovely 🤍

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As a dad of a one year old, I remember watching my wife go through similar feelings. I was so grateful I could be here. I read your words and wish you didn’t have to be so strong. Thank you for sharing this ❤️

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Wow thank you so much for your kind words. And shout out to you for continuing to hold your wife’s grief. Congratulations on your one year old!!

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Thank you for your words and your vulnerability.

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🤍🤍🤍

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so happy i paused and read this. such a wonderful read so thank you for sharing your story!

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Thank you for reading!

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wow, I'm so glad you're here in the substack world! as a fellow mother of a 2 year old, your words were like a balm. thank you for sharing

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thank you for reading xoxo <3!!!

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thank you for being you. My biggest inspiration and always warranted to be. Godspeed.

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🤍🤍🤍

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Such nice tone and pacing to your writing voice, thank you for sharing 🙏

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Thank you!

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Spectacular I’ll take 14 of em

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🫡🤸🏾‍♀️

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Sula and In the Dream House nursed me during the early days of the dissolution of my marriage. Reading all of Toni's work is going to be an absolute dream for you -- I don't know who I'd be as a person or a writer if I hadn't embarked on a similar journey several years ago. Excited to read more of your writing, Kennedi!

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Thank you for sharing! Sula felt like the best entry point for her work. Now I’m struggling to decide what I should read of hers next — any suggestions? I hope you’ve been well and I’m excited to read your writings too 🤍

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Oooh, the Morrison I most recommend to folks is an essay from a course she developed while teaching writing at Princeton, "Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination." It's maybe the best read of the white imaginary in literature. Song of Solomon, The Bluest Eye, Beloved, Paradise, and Tar Baby are the novels I'd recommend prioritizing reading. Toni's work is meant to be savored and considered, so I think take your time and enjoy the ride with whichever you choose!

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Gonna read that immediately - I started on my next essay and a bit of it is about white imagination. Noted on savoring - so excited to experience this. Everyone tells me they wish they could read her work for the first time all over again!

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Thank you for sharing - related to this so much in many ways 💜

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🤍🤍🤍

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