Hi friends! I've been busy the last couple of months, so I thought I’d catch you up on some of what I’ve been doing!
First, I’ve been setting up my two Substack accounts, one of which is this one that you're reading, my free newsletter. As you’ve probably noticed, I’ve been sending out short bits of writing here, an evening benediction on Wednesdays, and a morning recentering on Mondays. This is a little different than what my newsletter has been in the past, but I really enjoy getting posts like this from the writers I follow, so I hope you will, too.
The other Substack I’ve been working on is the new space for my Finding Your Voice writing community, for writers and aspiring writers who are autistic, ADHD, or who struggle with depression or other mental illness. I’ve been doing writing prompts every Monday, and Feedback Fridays, a chance to share what you’re working on and get support and encouragement. I love the little community that’s growing over there. I'd love if you stopped by!
I shared with you already that I wrote a creative review of the book Unmasking Autism for my friend D.L. Mayfield's newsletter, God Is My Special Interest. Fun sidenote: I also designed her logo, with the smiling rainbow daisies!
Speaking of logo design, I'm really excited that I've gotten a couple of graphic design clients in the past month. I put out a shingle for my graphic design work over on Fiverr. I'm really hoping to pick up more work there, as migraines and chronic foot and knee issues are still keeping me from going back to work as a nanny.
I'm over on Robert Monson's podcast Black Coffee and Theology this week talking about writing as a "wounded healer." Robert is a scholar of Black liberation theology and womanist theology, an incredible writer, and one of the kindest people I know. He's one of the co-directors of Enfleshed. And, like me, he struggles with chronic illness and disability. We had a great conversation about what it means to write with and through pain.
April 19th will be the one-year anniversary of the release of my book, Blessings for the Long Night! I’ll be giving away two signed copies, one on Twitter and one on Instagram. Come follow me there for a chance to win!
And, finally, here’s a poem I wrote last month, a meditation on friendship and love.
I love you, but I forget about you sometimes
I love you, but I forget about you sometimes
Immersed as I am in the immediate demands of
My body, the focus it takes to eat, to wash
To plan this week’s errands, schedule this week’s posts.
I love you, but I forget about you sometimes
When the algorithm drops you from its esoteric cycle
And my mind drops important facts and faces
My aunt’s birthday, my email password, and you.
I love you, but I can’t remember when we last
Spoke, or the last time I saw you post on Facebook
Or whether I owe you a call or you owe me one but
I love you, and when I finally remember
It’s not as someone remembering where they put
Their car keys, but as one who wakes
From a gentle sleep to find their loved one next to them
As always. Never gone. Just, for a moment, lost in dreams.
Thanks for being here with me.
In love and hope,
Jessica
Loved your convo with Robert and I love the poem. ❤️