18 Comments

I held my breath for the majority of this piece. Again, your writing is remarkable and has left me deeply moved. And maybe a little bit changed. Best to you and your beautiful daughter

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Thank you for reading and being open.

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Thanks for sharing your & Lucy's story. Felt the pain, the worry & anxiety, especially the love. My mom's bipolar (& likely borderline personality). I'm grateful that there's more information/support & openness about mental illness now than when I was a kid growing up in the '80s. That said, there's still so much more needed. So so much more. Take care.

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Thanks for sharing this. It must've been quite a ride growing up with a parent with BP and BPD. And back in the 80's there really was no awareness. I mean the stigma. And without the internet to even find help.... it must've been tough. Sending you love and hugs. Thank you for reading and sharing. xo

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Wow, this is a stunning essay. Glad to have discovered your writing.

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Thank you Liz. so appreciate you reading. :)

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It’s hard for me to find the words, other than to say I loved this so much. Your line about loving people through food made me cry.

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You love people through cooking for them better than anyone I know. xo

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Absolutely beautiful. Heartbreaking. Scary. The unexpected insight during moments of uncertainty are bold and heavy. I love you.

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love you back. xo

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Incredible work. I am still processing. This piece is mirror held up to the experiences of parents of so many teens in recent years. You did a great job as a writer and an even better job as a parent. Lucy did great too.

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Thanks Judy!

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Wow. I don’t know that I can add much more coherently right now but wow. You’re such a beautiful crafter of words and I applaud Lucy for participating in this. There is so much to teenage daughters that I’ve barely begun to understand. I hope you and David and the rest of the family are as well as can be. Lots of love for Lucy too.

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ha! you said it. teen daughters are mysteries wrapped in enigmas. I too am astounded at how our girls aren't little girls anymore. sigh.

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I was beside myself while reading this and thinking of you. Your writing is riveting. I was right there with you and at the same time reliving our own experience from years ago in my head. Very dark times. It's hard, but the flickers of light, those moments of awareness, times of seeing the person you know instead of a puzzle in front of you...we live for that, and we always hope and strive for the best for them.

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Thank you for this, Mardi. xo

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This is stunningly good writing - hard to tear yourself away from the art of it, until you recall that you are reading about the real, raw lives of people. Sending huge love, from a complete stranger out here in cold, wintery England, to you and your family, Kim. You are incredible, as a writer and as a mother.

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A stranger no more, Nicola. Thanks for writing and for the support from across the pond. Stay warm over there!

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