Thank you, Jody for not shying away from the confronting topics, as ever. I'm sorry to hear you are facing this juncture in life, but deeply grateful to you for speaking about it with heart and soul, and continuing to lead the way for those of us a few steps behind. I am no stranger to chronic illness, but of course, as we age, it starts to take on new meanings (and threats). Sending hugs to you x
Jody, I'm sorry to hear about your health challenges but let it be known that you are more inspiring than ever. I can relate to your brain frustration so much...but also the concept of not wasting precious time. Sending love and healing energy your way, today and always.
Oh Jody, you may be having language problems, but this piece is beautifully written. You have given us all so much. Take time now to heal and deal with whatever is coming. Big love from Oregon.
Dearest Jody, this piece is so beautifully written and it touched me deeply. It is hard waiting for a diagnosis I know - often a part of us craves the certainty that might bring, but it seems your wise crone has travelled beyond that, to hold the uncertainty and worry. Your description captures it so well. As a fellow (now 69) childless crone with a chronic illness (and now being tested for another) who has spent the last 15 years facing mortality (and sometimes not doing a great job of it) I send you my love and look forward to when we might be able to be present with each other in person xx
Such a touching post, Jody. Sending love to you on this stage of your journey and thank you for sharing it with us. Health is so precious and yet I struggle to grasp that fully, still filling my body with stress hormones on a regular basis. Wishing you calm, peace and gentleness 💚
Thinking of you Jody and sending hugs. You have helped so many people in their childless grief - myself included. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help xx
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and heart. I have mild cognitive impairment and showing many signs of dementia. I understand what you fear with regards to communication. I have difficulty finding words when speaking sometimes worse than others. It scares the shit out of me. I have a vivid picture of my mother-in-law struggling to join a conversation, getting two or three words out then stopping, her strain written across her face. Then she’d just turn away and withdraw. I also forget words I say to myself which comes out in my writing.
I hope you don’t have to go thru this, but if you do, remember me. PM me whenever you want.
Dearest Jody, yes, your words are powerfully evocative, irreverent, wise, and healing. Beneath and beyond them, your spirit shines brightly, radiating love and light to so many. What a blessing you are! I will keep saying a misheberach for you. (Naming you for healing in the Jewish communal prayer ritual).
Time is the precious commodity in these accumulating years. Shedding our roles and identity, to embrace what we all know to be true -- that everything changes and ends. In my own household now, there is the beginning of what will be the end. How much time? -- is the anxious question that rises in me. I pray to love, to focus on love, to surrender to love. In the end, isn't that all of what we are? Love that came from stardust?
Dear and precious Crone sister, in words as well as in spirit, you inspire and uplift. You are, and have always been a gift to this community. Thank you for sharing this delicate and intimate post. It speaks to the heart of changes and endings. I walk with you in gratitude and goodwill.
Jody, thank you so much for writing this excellent post. I am 59 and going through a health scare myself right now. I wish I had your vision and courage but I don't and I'm finding it very hard! I hope some of your light will spread to me. I resonate deeply with what you wrote about your mother. My mother was very distant toward me my entire life but after dementia set in she became so open and loving. Every time I saw her, we sang together, even on the day she died.
Also I recently wrote an essay on my Substack called "Old Age Ain't for Sissies". I hope you will take a look! It's about how we're taught in the U.S. (women in particular) that the youthful identity is the ONLY identity and my own personal journey and reckoning with that.
Dear Jody what an inspiration you are, so open and honest about your life, your journey and please know we are all walking alongside you. And that beautiful photo shows you in all your magnificence. Love and 🤗 x
Sending you love and hugs as you burn off your current identity and move to another. 💕 You are so strong.
Thank you, Jody for not shying away from the confronting topics, as ever. I'm sorry to hear you are facing this juncture in life, but deeply grateful to you for speaking about it with heart and soul, and continuing to lead the way for those of us a few steps behind. I am no stranger to chronic illness, but of course, as we age, it starts to take on new meanings (and threats). Sending hugs to you x
Jody, I'm sorry to hear about your health challenges but let it be known that you are more inspiring than ever. I can relate to your brain frustration so much...but also the concept of not wasting precious time. Sending love and healing energy your way, today and always.
Oh Jody, you may be having language problems, but this piece is beautifully written. You have given us all so much. Take time now to heal and deal with whatever is coming. Big love from Oregon.
Dearest Jody, this piece is so beautifully written and it touched me deeply. It is hard waiting for a diagnosis I know - often a part of us craves the certainty that might bring, but it seems your wise crone has travelled beyond that, to hold the uncertainty and worry. Your description captures it so well. As a fellow (now 69) childless crone with a chronic illness (and now being tested for another) who has spent the last 15 years facing mortality (and sometimes not doing a great job of it) I send you my love and look forward to when we might be able to be present with each other in person xx
Such a touching post, Jody. Sending love to you on this stage of your journey and thank you for sharing it with us. Health is so precious and yet I struggle to grasp that fully, still filling my body with stress hormones on a regular basis. Wishing you calm, peace and gentleness 💚
Thinking of you Jody and sending hugs. You have helped so many people in their childless grief - myself included. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help xx
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and heart. I have mild cognitive impairment and showing many signs of dementia. I understand what you fear with regards to communication. I have difficulty finding words when speaking sometimes worse than others. It scares the shit out of me. I have a vivid picture of my mother-in-law struggling to join a conversation, getting two or three words out then stopping, her strain written across her face. Then she’d just turn away and withdraw. I also forget words I say to myself which comes out in my writing.
I hope you don’t have to go thru this, but if you do, remember me. PM me whenever you want.
Dear Jody,
A powerful, honest post.
I have been reading your posts since I arrived on Substack. I know whatever your next steps will be lived in grace.
I’m sending you a good thought and will ask the Srs I work with to add you to their prayers.
Lisa
Sending so much love and strength to you Jody. We’re here for you if you need anything, just a phone call away always. Xx
Dearest Jody, yes, your words are powerfully evocative, irreverent, wise, and healing. Beneath and beyond them, your spirit shines brightly, radiating love and light to so many. What a blessing you are! I will keep saying a misheberach for you. (Naming you for healing in the Jewish communal prayer ritual).
Love,
Danna xoxo
Time is the precious commodity in these accumulating years. Shedding our roles and identity, to embrace what we all know to be true -- that everything changes and ends. In my own household now, there is the beginning of what will be the end. How much time? -- is the anxious question that rises in me. I pray to love, to focus on love, to surrender to love. In the end, isn't that all of what we are? Love that came from stardust?
Dear and precious Crone sister, in words as well as in spirit, you inspire and uplift. You are, and have always been a gift to this community. Thank you for sharing this delicate and intimate post. It speaks to the heart of changes and endings. I walk with you in gratitude and goodwill.
I’m also 62 with chronic illnesses (ME +). It brings clarity I was not expecting. I too am ready for whatever comes.
Jody, thank you so much for writing this excellent post. I am 59 and going through a health scare myself right now. I wish I had your vision and courage but I don't and I'm finding it very hard! I hope some of your light will spread to me. I resonate deeply with what you wrote about your mother. My mother was very distant toward me my entire life but after dementia set in she became so open and loving. Every time I saw her, we sang together, even on the day she died.
Also I recently wrote an essay on my Substack called "Old Age Ain't for Sissies". I hope you will take a look! It's about how we're taught in the U.S. (women in particular) that the youthful identity is the ONLY identity and my own personal journey and reckoning with that.
Dear Jody what an inspiration you are, so open and honest about your life, your journey and please know we are all walking alongside you. And that beautiful photo shows you in all your magnificence. Love and 🤗 x
Jody, sending you strength and positivity to cope with these challenges. Your work with the CNBC community is important and groundbreaking.