“Without hitting pause, we lose the opportunity for ourselves and our audience to respond,” Phil Bowdle.

There are some things to come that are more delicate than all of the previous chapters combined. The intricacies involved in relaying these experiences are deserving of the time and thoughtful crafting it will take to continue in a true, yet sensitive way. Which has been my intention all along…gentle, brutal honesty. Though some truths are hard, the release is always soft…as I’ve learned, the deepest truths are always paradoxical (somehow).

With my gardening business picking up for the season, I’ll have to readjust my writing schedule. I’ll still be writing as much as possible behind the scenes and maybe I’ll publish chapters sporadically for the time being.

(By the way, if you’re interested in flowers or gardening, feel free to check out my business pages. They’re a colorful, feel-good place 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/InBloom1111 & https://www.instagram.com/inbloom1111/.)

My aim was to move you in some way…it is my greatest hope that I have and will continue to. I have poured my heart out and reached depths within myself that I didn’t know existed. I do this for me first, as it was really the only thing I could do…let my greatest pains and passions live here in my words. But for you too…I’m not the only one with a Betsy, a child, a family, a love lost…with a story of both dark and light…I care about humanity and these stories are all I have to offer.

To date, this memoir has reached 6 continents (Antarctica, where you at?) and 22 countries. A fact that amazes me…6 months ago, it was just me. I’ve become closer to some members of my family, strengthened friendships (old and new), and have interacted with people I never would have come across otherwise. This whole experience has brought a deeply fulfilling sense of purpose to life.

Thank you so much for reading and coming on this journey so far. I’m grateful for the heartfelt comments and for learning pieces of your stories as well. They feed the flame in me to keep going, and I will. We’ve come too far to stop now.

I look at this as the halfway point. If you feel compelled to do so, please share your thoughts thus far…any feedback, feelings, criticism, questions…all appreciated! What are your favorite parts? Your least favorite parts? What still needs work or more explanation? Is there something you want to know more about? Were you left with unanswered questions and, if so, what are they? What’s been the most relatable? Do you see something that I’m missing?

Comment below, under the Facebook post or email me directly if you prefer: samanthaelle@inbloom1111.blog. Maybe I’ll create an additional post to address the feedback that comes in.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

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