Oh Zibby, this is so heart-wrenching, and so beautifully written. I see that first, you are a writer. Everything else has grown from that. And I am so glad you have Kyle with you, a reassuring and loving soul who understands you. You will build something new. But the loss will always be there. I lost my lovely home in the Palisades years ago, not from fire but from having to leave. It remains so vivid in my memory, and in a few weeks when I'm in LA I plan to drive up there to see if maybe it was one of the few left standing. I know seeing the devastation will be gut-wrenching. I'll restore myself by visiting your bookstore. Such a vibrant and happy place. Sending love to you, Bonnie
I had never heard of him either, but after I read some of the horrific things he has said about Blacks and Jews - the hatred and degradation- basically anything other than a white male or subservient white female was fair game - I took a step back and decided it was better not to talk about it except with my immediate family. Hundreds of decent human beings will also killed that day, including in Gaza, and just a few days before in Israel, and right here where I live in Baltimore. I’d rather put my grief and energy there.
As you said you knew nothing about him, Hopefully, as you do your research you will see that his Turning Point movement is anti-Trans, anti-LGBTQ, anti Jews. You may want to rethink this comment you wrote:: "I quickly learned about his powerful work and how he supported conversation and connection to bring people together."
Grief is an intangible thing that has a life all its own. There’s no timetable and no rules, and it can rise up out of nowhere when you least expect it. I’ve never grieved the loss of home, by itself, but I know what it’s like when everyone else is gone, and you’re the only one left. You will get through this, Zibby.
I don’t think you have to remind everybody through this essay that you are lucky when tragedy strikes it strikes hard. It’s been a particularly difficult time in so many ways, assassinations irrespective of viewpoints in public are devastating, a fire that devastated your neighborhood is horrid and lost all around you in a place that used to be yours That used to be your home. Your safety has been uploaded, the recent anniversary of 911 and the loss of your dear friend. You have experience quite a bit of loss in the last few years and that does not make you lucky that makes you human and all I can say as I send you much love, thank you for expressing all of this so beautifully, and I’m sorry for your losses. I am glad you have such a wonderful husband and partner and that you are out there fighting great battles for so many of us bravely, and that your life has a deep purpose and meaning and your success to hold onto as well as your beautiful children. Much much love.
Such pain and your article is so beautifully written, we understand. Hoping in time you will find peace in going back to your beautiful home. Home is where your heart is…
Same same. Ours is still in remediation after finding lead in the silt inside the sliding door. But I can't. House hunting, hoping for the best. Or at least, the next. xo
I feel your pain, Zibby. I, too, have had incredible loss in my life. I immigrated twice to New York from Johannesburg as a teenager and have never gotten over the displacement. My cousin who lives within walking distance of your store met you in person last year.She mentioned that I am a poet and author and that my book Goodbye South Africa will be published this year. You had asked her if there were elephants in it. There aren't. I hope to be on your podcast next year when my book is published and it covers the losses I faced as a young woman, although it is fiction.
Loss is loss, no matter the income or what type it is. I can only imagine the emotions you felt going back twice to a place ravaged. May the healing continue for you.
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I don't know if I could rebuild after that. We went through hurricane Ian here in SW Florida. We lived on the coast and were in our home when the surge went through the house. I will never be the same. And we have moved farther inland now where the ground is much higher. I hope you and your husband will be able to come to terms with your new reality. Things change. The world has changed. We have to be ready to change with it.
With the feeling of national tragedy this week after the public murders of both an important public personality gunned down as he spoke and a quiet, pizza 🍕 pie food worker just trying to make it home on a train after her shift. Thank you as always for your work !
Oh Zibby, this is so heart-wrenching, and so beautifully written. I see that first, you are a writer. Everything else has grown from that. And I am so glad you have Kyle with you, a reassuring and loving soul who understands you. You will build something new. But the loss will always be there. I lost my lovely home in the Palisades years ago, not from fire but from having to leave. It remains so vivid in my memory, and in a few weeks when I'm in LA I plan to drive up there to see if maybe it was one of the few left standing. I know seeing the devastation will be gut-wrenching. I'll restore myself by visiting your bookstore. Such a vibrant and happy place. Sending love to you, Bonnie
Zibby, maybe rethink your description of Charlie Kirk. Look into his views a little more closely.
I deleted that section.
I had never heard of him either, but after I read some of the horrific things he has said about Blacks and Jews - the hatred and degradation- basically anything other than a white male or subservient white female was fair game - I took a step back and decided it was better not to talk about it except with my immediate family. Hundreds of decent human beings will also killed that day, including in Gaza, and just a few days before in Israel, and right here where I live in Baltimore. I’d rather put my grief and energy there.
Came here to say this.
Deleted!
Me too
Deleted!
As you said you knew nothing about him, Hopefully, as you do your research you will see that his Turning Point movement is anti-Trans, anti-LGBTQ, anti Jews. You may want to rethink this comment you wrote:: "I quickly learned about his powerful work and how he supported conversation and connection to bring people together."
I just deleted it.
Grief is an intangible thing that has a life all its own. There’s no timetable and no rules, and it can rise up out of nowhere when you least expect it. I’ve never grieved the loss of home, by itself, but I know what it’s like when everyone else is gone, and you’re the only one left. You will get through this, Zibby.
Sending you love and strength.
I don’t think you have to remind everybody through this essay that you are lucky when tragedy strikes it strikes hard. It’s been a particularly difficult time in so many ways, assassinations irrespective of viewpoints in public are devastating, a fire that devastated your neighborhood is horrid and lost all around you in a place that used to be yours That used to be your home. Your safety has been uploaded, the recent anniversary of 911 and the loss of your dear friend. You have experience quite a bit of loss in the last few years and that does not make you lucky that makes you human and all I can say as I send you much love, thank you for expressing all of this so beautifully, and I’m sorry for your losses. I am glad you have such a wonderful husband and partner and that you are out there fighting great battles for so many of us bravely, and that your life has a deep purpose and meaning and your success to hold onto as well as your beautiful children. Much much love.
I’m sending lots of love. 🩷
Such pain and your article is so beautifully written, we understand. Hoping in time you will find peace in going back to your beautiful home. Home is where your heart is…
Same same. Ours is still in remediation after finding lead in the silt inside the sliding door. But I can't. House hunting, hoping for the best. Or at least, the next. xo
Grief is a huge emotion. I wish you peace!
Beautiful
I feel your pain, Zibby. I, too, have had incredible loss in my life. I immigrated twice to New York from Johannesburg as a teenager and have never gotten over the displacement. My cousin who lives within walking distance of your store met you in person last year.She mentioned that I am a poet and author and that my book Goodbye South Africa will be published this year. You had asked her if there were elephants in it. There aren't. I hope to be on your podcast next year when my book is published and it covers the losses I faced as a young woman, although it is fiction.
Hugs.
Loss is loss, no matter the income or what type it is. I can only imagine the emotions you felt going back twice to a place ravaged. May the healing continue for you.
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I don't know if I could rebuild after that. We went through hurricane Ian here in SW Florida. We lived on the coast and were in our home when the surge went through the house. I will never be the same. And we have moved farther inland now where the ground is much higher. I hope you and your husband will be able to come to terms with your new reality. Things change. The world has changed. We have to be ready to change with it.
Thank you for sharing your experience & I’m so sorry for your loss.
Powerful essay which tied in well
With the feeling of national tragedy this week after the public murders of both an important public personality gunned down as he spoke and a quiet, pizza 🍕 pie food worker just trying to make it home on a train after her shift. Thank you as always for your work !