Thank you, Sarah, for giving me, with all your writing, the chance to see our country through your clear and loving eyes. You've helped me rediscover my love of this land and the people in it. I have found so much courage through that. Peace and joy to you🩷
Sarah, this essay is the only holiday gift I need. Thank you. I will be thinking of you and your family as this year tapers out and you take some time.
Thank you doesn’t seem enough but your words help me deal with what we all are watching occur! I have tried to wake others and attempt to stop the demise but I fear to many slumber! Wishing you peaceful break with family. I look for to embracing what comes and knowing we are not alone! We will have your magic with words to remind us what we know and see is real! I to love our country dearly.
PS. I am struggling it will be a year before we can read your next book
So I am! When I wrote it, I had no idea it would be delayed until 2025. The publishers (not just mine) shuffled off a lot of books that don't deal with the election until a later date. I will fill my time on substack though and honestly it's nice to have a new pace after writing four books in five years
America is purple — purple like a Bruise. You just described me & millions of ordinary people who have been injured by the systems here in the USA. You give me hope Sarah. These systems may have taken away my health, money & abilities. They may do so more in the future but I will never surrender my soul. My love will endure. No matter what they steal, even if it’s also my life, they cannot take my integrity from me. That love is energy. It cannot be destroyed & will survive my body. Thank you Sarah. I needed that.
Sarah, I have been in throes of depression, and what you wrote has touched my soul in a way I haven't felt for a while. I wish I could be more elegant, but I just wanted to say thank you for sparking some hope for me, for helping keep perspective about all these terrible things that are happening in our country around the world, and that we still have the power to act and change things. The worst is not inevitable. Thank you.
Yes, take heart, keep insisting upon the rights and protections we all need, & continue finding the ways to endure! As Sarah says, “I see a hole where the American future once was — but that’s because the future is open-ended. There is no inevitable autocracy and no inevitable democracy.”
Onward together as many of We the People continue to RESIST and DEMAND our due, including the shared and collective work by us and our most ethical leaders and officials to finally wield our still-existing power with a much more strategic and ferocious sense of love and loyalty to #SaveOurDemocracy, create a livable country and planet for people and all life on earth, and inspire a globally compassionate humanity. 💚💖💙🌻🌎🕯️✨🇺🇸🇺🇳🗺️📜🫂🎉
Sarah, the last four sentences of this beautiful essay remind me of our fellow Missourian, Mark Twain, speaking through the voice of Huck Finn. After debating with himself on what to do concerning his friend, the runaway slave Jim, Huck decides he'd rather 'go to hell' by defying the church and the law of slave state Missouri than betray his friend, and in essence, betray his own humanity. If we refuse to abandon our humanity in exchange for cash or comfort, we will always be free, and worthy of a just nation.
Thank you for sharing your heart and helping us realize that we are not alone.
"It is so beautiful, this country of ours, I will never get over it." Every word you write, and every book you have published, is a treasure. I read every word, and every book, like a desperately thirsty traveler in the desert. And I am grateful that in my state of utter exhaustion and despair, and terrible thirst, you nevertheless somehow inspire a bit of courage to continue to NOT surrender my humanity. Thank you for reminding me.
The term HUMANITY has been lost in heaps of trash, thrown down by greedy criminals. Criminals who use lie/cheat/steal/murder as a normal modius operandi to get and keep power. I am an American with all of the good and bad that comes with citizenship but I love the direction my country is going in that all people are created equal, a country that allows multi ethnic, cultural, religious, or LGBTQ to thrive safely.
Another thought provoking essay that I was so pleased to find on this cold and rainy Nebraska morning. As thoughtful citizens we need to set our course on protecting our country by a tidal wave of support for democratic values. Have a blessed time with your family Sarah.
Thank you for everyone who commented! I read them all. I really appreciate everyone’s interest and feedback. I’d send you all another post telling you that, but I don’t want to keep clogging up your emails. Anyway, thank you again — starting this newsletter (which I can’t believe is only two months old) has been a bright spot in a dark year and that’s in large part due to my wonderful readers. Have a great holiday everyone!
Sarah, you have mentioned your working ritual, your playlist, music that inspires, a few times in your writing. For me, it is your book, “The View from Flyover Country”, and specifically, the Coda, In Defense of Complaining. I wake, make my coffee, go to my studio, read it and get to work.
Your work, for me, has always been optimistic, never pessimistic.
So, thank you once again for your beautiful work. Enjoy your time with family.
Thank you, Sarah, for giving me, with all your writing, the chance to see our country through your clear and loving eyes. You've helped me rediscover my love of this land and the people in it. I have found so much courage through that. Peace and joy to you🩷
Sarah, this essay is the only holiday gift I need. Thank you. I will be thinking of you and your family as this year tapers out and you take some time.
Thank you doesn’t seem enough but your words help me deal with what we all are watching occur! I have tried to wake others and attempt to stop the demise but I fear to many slumber! Wishing you peaceful break with family. I look for to embracing what comes and knowing we are not alone! We will have your magic with words to remind us what we know and see is real! I to love our country dearly.
PS. I am struggling it will be a year before we can read your next book
So I am! When I wrote it, I had no idea it would be delayed until 2025. The publishers (not just mine) shuffled off a lot of books that don't deal with the election until a later date. I will fill my time on substack though and honestly it's nice to have a new pace after writing four books in five years
I knew it wasn’t your fault. I was just eagerly waiting! Thanks for all you do and sending love and peace as you travel and enjoy family!
I agree strongly that “they can’t buy you if you’re not for sale!” Those who believe that must unite!
America is purple — purple like a Bruise. You just described me & millions of ordinary people who have been injured by the systems here in the USA. You give me hope Sarah. These systems may have taken away my health, money & abilities. They may do so more in the future but I will never surrender my soul. My love will endure. No matter what they steal, even if it’s also my life, they cannot take my integrity from me. That love is energy. It cannot be destroyed & will survive my body. Thank you Sarah. I needed that.
Sarah, I have been in throes of depression, and what you wrote has touched my soul in a way I haven't felt for a while. I wish I could be more elegant, but I just wanted to say thank you for sparking some hope for me, for helping keep perspective about all these terrible things that are happening in our country around the world, and that we still have the power to act and change things. The worst is not inevitable. Thank you.
Yes, take heart, keep insisting upon the rights and protections we all need, & continue finding the ways to endure! As Sarah says, “I see a hole where the American future once was — but that’s because the future is open-ended. There is no inevitable autocracy and no inevitable democracy.”
Onward together as many of We the People continue to RESIST and DEMAND our due, including the shared and collective work by us and our most ethical leaders and officials to finally wield our still-existing power with a much more strategic and ferocious sense of love and loyalty to #SaveOurDemocracy, create a livable country and planet for people and all life on earth, and inspire a globally compassionate humanity. 💚💖💙🌻🌎🕯️✨🇺🇸🇺🇳🗺️📜🫂🎉
I wish there was a way to cheer parts of a newsletter. Consider me on my feet whooping and clapping at this part in particular:
"They cannot control you if you defy categorization. They cannot manipulate you if you are inscrutable. They cannot buy you if you are not for sale.
And they cannot break you when your love won’t bend."
I'm so sorry for your suffering, Sarah and hope you have a peaceful holiday with your family.
Sarah, the last four sentences of this beautiful essay remind me of our fellow Missourian, Mark Twain, speaking through the voice of Huck Finn. After debating with himself on what to do concerning his friend, the runaway slave Jim, Huck decides he'd rather 'go to hell' by defying the church and the law of slave state Missouri than betray his friend, and in essence, betray his own humanity. If we refuse to abandon our humanity in exchange for cash or comfort, we will always be free, and worthy of a just nation.
Thank you for sharing your heart and helping us realize that we are not alone.
Thank you!
Holy smokes, your writing is exquisite. I am floored.
Thanks!
"It is so beautiful, this country of ours, I will never get over it." Every word you write, and every book you have published, is a treasure. I read every word, and every book, like a desperately thirsty traveler in the desert. And I am grateful that in my state of utter exhaustion and despair, and terrible thirst, you nevertheless somehow inspire a bit of courage to continue to NOT surrender my humanity. Thank you for reminding me.
Thank you!
Thank YOU.
The term HUMANITY has been lost in heaps of trash, thrown down by greedy criminals. Criminals who use lie/cheat/steal/murder as a normal modius operandi to get and keep power. I am an American with all of the good and bad that comes with citizenship but I love the direction my country is going in that all people are created equal, a country that allows multi ethnic, cultural, religious, or LGBTQ to thrive safely.
Another thought provoking essay that I was so pleased to find on this cold and rainy Nebraska morning. As thoughtful citizens we need to set our course on protecting our country by a tidal wave of support for democratic values. Have a blessed time with your family Sarah.
Thank you for everyone who commented! I read them all. I really appreciate everyone’s interest and feedback. I’d send you all another post telling you that, but I don’t want to keep clogging up your emails. Anyway, thank you again — starting this newsletter (which I can’t believe is only two months old) has been a bright spot in a dark year and that’s in large part due to my wonderful readers. Have a great holiday everyone!
As always, words of wisdom to be heeded! Thank you Sarah.
Enjoy the time with your family. And thank you for making us feel like extended family with your beautiful words. Happy Holidays 💚
Sarah, you have mentioned your working ritual, your playlist, music that inspires, a few times in your writing. For me, it is your book, “The View from Flyover Country”, and specifically, the Coda, In Defense of Complaining. I wake, make my coffee, go to my studio, read it and get to work.
Your work, for me, has always been optimistic, never pessimistic.
So, thank you once again for your beautiful work. Enjoy your time with family.
My morning ritual begins.
Thank you very much!