And that’s the point. To return to Didion: “Remember what it was to be me: that is always the point.”

as they believed storytelling had magical power.

will begin again as…”

I Begin Again

flip it open to a random page, or pick an old favorite you’ve memorized by heart. Whatever grabs your attention; whatever intrigues. Use it as the opening sentence for today’s journal entry, and let the words flow from there.

“Close your eyes,” he said, “and tell me what you see!” “Ugh, nothing?” “No, Mama, really look. Inside!” We lay together in the hospital bed

“I don’t want to write about…” Or somewhere I do want to go: “I want to remember.” Or I start with the physical day: “Just now I see that the night sky has turned a washed shade of pale blue.”

When I ask how you are, or how your day was, you can say anything…except fine. And if you ask me, I’ll trust you with the truth.

there are people in our lives with whom it’s not safe for us to share our tenderest truths.