Writing in the Dark with Jeannine Ouellette

Writing in the Dark with Jeannine Ouellette

Share this post

Writing in the Dark with Jeannine Ouellette
Writing in the Dark with Jeannine Ouellette
First, I Made A Wish

First, I Made A Wish

Lit Salon: A triptych of defiant hope

Jeannine Ouellette's avatar
Jeannine Ouellette
Dec 10, 2024
∙ Paid
84

Share this post

Writing in the Dark with Jeannine Ouellette
Writing in the Dark with Jeannine Ouellette
First, I Made A Wish
33
3
Share

The last time I felt this scared, despondent, and paralyzed by uncertainty was in March 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic was shutting down Minnesota and the rest of the world.

Like everyone, I was terrified.

All my teaching and speaking engagements were abruptly cancelled, the security of my job at the University was uncertain, and my husband’s employer announced a mandatory furlough. I didn’t know what to do.

Lots of other people were losing even more. It felt so unspeakably cruel that as we feared for our lives and the lives of our loved ones, so many were also losing their entire livelihoods. I remember reaching out to my online community to offer free help with cover letters for anyone who was out of work, just because it felt good to do something, anything.

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Jeannine Ouellette
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share