Weekly Round-Up

Welcome, dear readers, to this week’s gathering of voices.

Beth marks the 25th anniversary of September 11 by recalling where she was that day — recovering from chemotherapy and waiting anxiously for news of family members in New York as the scale of the attacks unfolded.

Barbara turns attention to an aspect of breast cancer treatment that she believes is too often under-discussed: persistent pain. She argues that the possibility of long-term pain should be part of conversations before treatment begins, not something patients are left to discover afterwards.

Nancy writes about the value of protecting our availability in a culture that often expects an immediate response. After stepping away from Substack and social media while grieving her sister and managing a major move, she realised that not being constantly reachable was not only acceptable but necessary.

Connie looks back on a deeply meaningful journey to Scotland with her cousin Kim, who was fulfilling her mother’s final wish to have her ashes scattered on the Isle of Skye.

And finally, Abigail challenges what we mean when we tell a woman she is “so strong”. Rather than equating strength with stoicism, self-sufficiency, or an ability to carry endless burdens without complaint, she makes room for the stumbling, fear, exhaustion, loneliness, and need for help that are also part of being human.

May the days ahead bring space to remember, courage to speak honestly, and permission to rest, receive help, and begin again.

Much love always,

Marie xxx