Oh my, this piece touched me in many ways. Sarah, the way you interwove the ingredients and baking process was brilliant. For me it also softened the intensity of infertility injustice. Way past the thought of child bearing years, I too was infertile and spent days folding my panties underneath my jeans. That specific detail took my breath away, but I could stay in the safe space you created. I felt that you held your sister-in-law with so much love and grace and compassion that transferred to me the reader. Everything about the scene is exquisite.
What a wonderful piece this is, an absolute joy to real. There is so much depth to it, and I found myself utterly mesmerised, even reading every word of the recipe.
It's interesting how we bring our own filters to what we read, isn't it? My most recent frame of reference for hospitals is my mother's cancer journey and death. And my brother died many years ago. So I was reading the piece expecting it to be about doing every day things in the midst of grief and loss. I felt deeply emotional when I realised what the hospital visit was for, a different sort of pain for her sister. Thank you Sarah 💜
Beautiful writing, Sarah. I didn't understand fully before I read this how braided writing works. You apparently effortlessly braided three strands into a delicious whole and also made me want to experience those raspberries. Wow! So evocative.
Aww..glad you appreciate it. It's almost a "thing" I realized. That only a woman could write - the cooking, the meaning with which we crèate a home, prepare food, teach our daughters to do the same by modeling. Then, bringing life into the world and wanting to do it with ease and the way nature planned for it. It is a very powerful piece you wrote. Thank you!!!!
Congratulations, Phyllis! How inspirational and encouraging your bravery and success are! Thank you for sharing with all of us. This is such a warmly supportive group. Taking chances is much less scary here.
Sarah, your piece just hit me in so many ways, as everyone prior has remarked. The most moving, for me, were the specifics eluded to, not expressed. As soon as you described the hiding of the panties discreetly under the jeans, I knew where she was, and felt her desperately trying to retain some dignity and privacy, while wrangling that backless gown we have all donned, and felt so vulnerable and exposed.
The juxtaposition of seeking medical intervention in her struggle to conceive, set against what comes frequently and plentifully to those doggone rabbits, also was genius.
I loved the tenderness and gentleness with your daughter, even when she loses her grip and we all hear that POP of the glass hitting the floor, as the milk oozes in every direction - such beautiful imagery on so many levels.
It’s the way you plucked my heartstrings that impressed me most. Grabbing the bowl you purchased before you ever were a mom, and sharing the experience of baking from scratch with your daughter felt very much like a full circle moment - as if this task is what you had in mind when you bought that bowl so long ago. I could also feel your empathy and compassion for your sister-in-law and the journey she is on. I felt the hope that soon she will be creating memories like this with her own child. Such a beautifully tender acknowledgement of the strength, bravery and tenacity it takes to embark on such a journey. Kudos and congrats!! Well done!!
This comment filled me with so much awe for the journey I have had with my kids--that bowl from a different life, the tenderness of the way these objects span time, the moments we share that transcend time and even geography. This is beautiful, Kathleen.
I love this piece … particularly the colours (the red swirling and the milk white spreading ) and that detail about the discrete panties under the jeans - such a powerful way to express the experience of medical intervention, how we try to preserve some of our dignity. I love the reflections too. Really useful learning from your process - the braiding and being clear about how daughter was conceived. Appreciated too the silver bowl from the Bowery - great way to deal w the past and let it sit in this present of motherhood. Thank you! I’ve been away from my writing for months now, questioning my paid subscriber wastefulness but just looking today, reading this, I’m inspired/reminded and might just have to have a go at the exercise! Thank you thank you
Congratulations, Phyllis! Thank you for celebrating your news with us, and for saying this: “I remembered that it's not about me; it's about serving the story itself.” I need to hear this today. Actually, I always need to hear it haha. Excited to see what you create!
Stunning, Sarah! The structure, the simplicity, the scents. The folded panties tucked under the jeans, the question about how easy it is for some to get pregnant (and the alliteration with beds, backseats and bathroom stalls!!!) The whole essay is as delicious as the recipe, which I’m now inspired to try. Actually, I’m inspired to to try writing an essay with a recipe structure like this. Congrats and thank you!
Also meant to say - as a childless person who has experienced multiple losses, I feel warmed by the loving aboutness of this piece. I’ll be thinking of it for a long time.
Beautiful work, Sarah. I loved the way you wove the deeper meaning of these threads of infertility and motherhood with the recipe. Visceral description throughout that really popped for me as well as that tender mother-daughter relationship. And congratulations to Phyllis H, too, on her residency!
Yes, I am, in Samara, a laid-back beach town in the Guanacaste region, Nicoya peninsula on the Pacific Coast. My second time here, fourth time in the country. I love Costa Rica and once thought of living here. Samara is the opening setting of my novel so I am doing (very fun) research:-) Gathering lots of impressions for future writing while making sure to play, after a very hard and sad season of my life.
Oh, Jeannine, I already wrote to this prompt, but after reading Sarah’s essay (recipe), I need to write another version! Hah! And the food writing, only luscious if you like to eat seafood, that was my thing.
Jeannine, thank you for showcasing this excellent essay and the process of it getting to completion.
Sarah, bravo! I loved it. I haven't got to this exercise yet so I look forward to it because I find myself yearning to try writing from a recipe. You did, indeed, fold all the different parts together to create something beautiful. Keeping the piece as short as you did increased the impact and the pulverized Easter bunny was its crowning glory. I instantly read that line twice it was so good!
I feel the impact of the brevity in this piece as well. As much as I wanted more -- I loved that it let me do so much of the work and left me wanting ... more, even while wholly sated. That's a beautiful feeling.
Congratulations! I remember loving this back in February. And reading this version today seems timely. I underwent a radical hysterectomy last Thursday 5/30. As I await pathology reports, and reading this today, I feel a quiet reminder of the stages in a woman's life. Here I am on the far, imposible side of fertility, sans uterus, cervix, tubes and ovaries and yet, I swear I can sense them still...responding to this beautiful essay. As I continue to heal and recover, I plan to write about having this surgery (my first ever). Thank you for showing us a beautiful 'way in'.
Thank you, Vanessa! I hope you're resting and healing. I'm in the liminal space of perimenopause, peeking out at the horizon of my fertility. I love reading other women's stories about all these experiences. It helps to know what's on the other side!
Sarah, thank you. I am resting as much as possible. Feeling stronger every day. I also love reading other women's stories and experiences and am so glad the subject is becoming less stigmatized.
This is just beautiful Sarah. It's so concise and yet so rich with poignant, visceral images. As others have said I love how the recipe folds into the essay. And - "you took off your clothes and folded them neatly in the corner, placing your panties discreetly beneath the jeans." - this image just stood out so clearly to me, brought up a flood of memories and emotion.
Stunning!
(P.S: the Untamed Thing prompt is one of my all time favorites! I've used it several times and the results have always surprised me!)
Well, you already have courage. That’s clear in your writing! Take all the time you need to know it’s the version of itself it wants to be, and when you are ready, I will be excited to read!
Oh my, this piece touched me in many ways. Sarah, the way you interwove the ingredients and baking process was brilliant. For me it also softened the intensity of infertility injustice. Way past the thought of child bearing years, I too was infertile and spent days folding my panties underneath my jeans. That specific detail took my breath away, but I could stay in the safe space you created. I felt that you held your sister-in-law with so much love and grace and compassion that transferred to me the reader. Everything about the scene is exquisite.
Thank you, Paulette! I love that you found a safe space in my writing. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
It was a beautiful piece of heartfelt writing.
Beautiful!!!
What a wonderful piece this is, an absolute joy to real. There is so much depth to it, and I found myself utterly mesmerised, even reading every word of the recipe.
It's interesting how we bring our own filters to what we read, isn't it? My most recent frame of reference for hospitals is my mother's cancer journey and death. And my brother died many years ago. So I was reading the piece expecting it to be about doing every day things in the midst of grief and loss. I felt deeply emotional when I realised what the hospital visit was for, a different sort of pain for her sister. Thank you Sarah 💜
I love how you describe the meaning unfolding for you, Esther, what a thoughtful comment.
Beautiful writing, Sarah. I didn't understand fully before I read this how braided writing works. You apparently effortlessly braided three strands into a delicious whole and also made me want to experience those raspberries. Wow! So evocative.
Thank you, Maureen!
May I say this writing is so stunningly feminine? And powerful like the presence of a goddess.
Wow, thank you, Alecia! I’m going to write “stunningly feminine” somewhere I can see it while I write this week.
Aww..glad you appreciate it. It's almost a "thing" I realized. That only a woman could write - the cooking, the meaning with which we crèate a home, prepare food, teach our daughters to do the same by modeling. Then, bringing life into the world and wanting to do it with ease and the way nature planned for it. It is a very powerful piece you wrote. Thank you!!!!
Oh, I love this comment--yes, it is so feminine in so many ways. I loved Sarah's author note about that, too.
Congratulations, Phyllis! How inspirational and encouraging your bravery and success are! Thank you for sharing with all of us. This is such a warmly supportive group. Taking chances is much less scary here.
Sarah, your piece just hit me in so many ways, as everyone prior has remarked. The most moving, for me, were the specifics eluded to, not expressed. As soon as you described the hiding of the panties discreetly under the jeans, I knew where she was, and felt her desperately trying to retain some dignity and privacy, while wrangling that backless gown we have all donned, and felt so vulnerable and exposed.
The juxtaposition of seeking medical intervention in her struggle to conceive, set against what comes frequently and plentifully to those doggone rabbits, also was genius.
I loved the tenderness and gentleness with your daughter, even when she loses her grip and we all hear that POP of the glass hitting the floor, as the milk oozes in every direction - such beautiful imagery on so many levels.
It’s the way you plucked my heartstrings that impressed me most. Grabbing the bowl you purchased before you ever were a mom, and sharing the experience of baking from scratch with your daughter felt very much like a full circle moment - as if this task is what you had in mind when you bought that bowl so long ago. I could also feel your empathy and compassion for your sister-in-law and the journey she is on. I felt the hope that soon she will be creating memories like this with her own child. Such a beautifully tender acknowledgement of the strength, bravery and tenacity it takes to embark on such a journey. Kudos and congrats!! Well done!!
This comment filled me with so much awe for the journey I have had with my kids--that bowl from a different life, the tenderness of the way these objects span time, the moments we share that transcend time and even geography. This is beautiful, Kathleen.
I love this piece … particularly the colours (the red swirling and the milk white spreading ) and that detail about the discrete panties under the jeans - such a powerful way to express the experience of medical intervention, how we try to preserve some of our dignity. I love the reflections too. Really useful learning from your process - the braiding and being clear about how daughter was conceived. Appreciated too the silver bowl from the Bowery - great way to deal w the past and let it sit in this present of motherhood. Thank you! I’ve been away from my writing for months now, questioning my paid subscriber wastefulness but just looking today, reading this, I’m inspired/reminded and might just have to have a go at the exercise! Thank you thank you
I loved the silver bowl so much too, Hayley. Welcome back. xoxo
Congratulations, Phyllis! Thank you for celebrating your news with us, and for saying this: “I remembered that it's not about me; it's about serving the story itself.” I need to hear this today. Actually, I always need to hear it haha. Excited to see what you create!
Stunning, Sarah! The structure, the simplicity, the scents. The folded panties tucked under the jeans, the question about how easy it is for some to get pregnant (and the alliteration with beds, backseats and bathroom stalls!!!) The whole essay is as delicious as the recipe, which I’m now inspired to try. Actually, I’m inspired to to try writing an essay with a recipe structure like this. Congrats and thank you!
The folded panties, the folded recipe, the folded essay. It's so layered and nuanced. It's so good!
Also meant to say - as a childless person who has experienced multiple losses, I feel warmed by the loving aboutness of this piece. I’ll be thinking of it for a long time.
This is a beautiful, tender thing to share, Monika. I admire you so much and am so glad our paths are intertwined.
Jeannine ♥️ Thank you for saying this. The feeling is 100% mutual. I’m so grateful for you, friend.
Thanks so much, Monika!
Beautiful work, Sarah. I loved the way you wove the deeper meaning of these threads of infertility and motherhood with the recipe. Visceral description throughout that really popped for me as well as that tender mother-daughter relationship. And congratulations to Phyllis H, too, on her residency!
You're such a good friend to our community, Amy. Are you in Costa Rica right now?
Yes, I am, in Samara, a laid-back beach town in the Guanacaste region, Nicoya peninsula on the Pacific Coast. My second time here, fourth time in the country. I love Costa Rica and once thought of living here. Samara is the opening setting of my novel so I am doing (very fun) research:-) Gathering lots of impressions for future writing while making sure to play, after a very hard and sad season of my life.
I'm so glad for you that you can be there now, Amy. That must be some solace, and an opening for healing, as well.
So beautiful! Such strong specific details and a masterfully-done structure.
I love the simultaneous complexity and simplicity of Sarah's piece, too, Joy. Thank you for reading.
magnificent!
It really is. Thanks for reading, Jill. xoxo
This is so lush and vivid! I love the braiding! As an ex-food writer, now I must write to that prompt!
Oh!!! I did not know you are an ex-food writer, Maureen. How luscious.
Oh, Jeannine, I already wrote to this prompt, but after reading Sarah’s essay (recipe), I need to write another version! Hah! And the food writing, only luscious if you like to eat seafood, that was my thing.
Jeannine, thank you for showcasing this excellent essay and the process of it getting to completion.
Sarah, bravo! I loved it. I haven't got to this exercise yet so I look forward to it because I find myself yearning to try writing from a recipe. You did, indeed, fold all the different parts together to create something beautiful. Keeping the piece as short as you did increased the impact and the pulverized Easter bunny was its crowning glory. I instantly read that line twice it was so good!
I feel the impact of the brevity in this piece as well. As much as I wanted more -- I loved that it let me do so much of the work and left me wanting ... more, even while wholly sated. That's a beautiful feeling.
It's a beautiful feeling and difficult to do!
Very!
Congratulations! I remember loving this back in February. And reading this version today seems timely. I underwent a radical hysterectomy last Thursday 5/30. As I await pathology reports, and reading this today, I feel a quiet reminder of the stages in a woman's life. Here I am on the far, imposible side of fertility, sans uterus, cervix, tubes and ovaries and yet, I swear I can sense them still...responding to this beautiful essay. As I continue to heal and recover, I plan to write about having this surgery (my first ever). Thank you for showing us a beautiful 'way in'.
Wishing you a speedy and complete recovery, Vanessa. Take care of yourself.
Thank you, Maureen! I'm doing very well :)
Vanessa, hoping and praying for a swift, uneventful recovery with nothing of note in those pathology reports! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Kathy, I really appreciate this so much. Positive thoughts...!
Thank you, Vanessa! I hope you're resting and healing. I'm in the liminal space of perimenopause, peeking out at the horizon of my fertility. I love reading other women's stories about all these experiences. It helps to know what's on the other side!
Sarah, thank you. I am resting as much as possible. Feeling stronger every day. I also love reading other women's stories and experiences and am so glad the subject is becoming less stigmatized.
Wishing you good health, Vanessa
Thank you Emily. ❤️
This is just beautiful Sarah. It's so concise and yet so rich with poignant, visceral images. As others have said I love how the recipe folds into the essay. And - "you took off your clothes and folded them neatly in the corner, placing your panties discreetly beneath the jeans." - this image just stood out so clearly to me, brought up a flood of memories and emotion.
Stunning!
(P.S: the Untamed Thing prompt is one of my all time favorites! I've used it several times and the results have always surprised me!)
Whoa, Flavia, I love hearing that!!! Haha, wow, that is amazing! I would love to see some of your pieces that came from it!
I will definitely attempt to revise one and try to sum up the courage to submit it to you eventually! ❤️
Well, you already have courage. That’s clear in your writing! Take all the time you need to know it’s the version of itself it wants to be, and when you are ready, I will be excited to read!
Thank you so much Jeannine ❤️ your kindness and encouragement is what helps me (and I'd bet a lot of others) be brave in my writing.
Yes!