5 Comments
User's avatar
Alison Zamora's avatar

Isabelle, your writing on grief is beautiful. Thank you. My own father's heart failure is getting worse and I, too, am in the throes of caregiving. Most mornings I wake up feeling like my body's been hit by a monster truck -- a physical manifestation of the weight of it all. It's crushing.

I wrote a poem the other day that I thought I'd share with you:

Sometimes

(okay, most of the time)

I wish the hard would be over

The countless doctors appointments

that have taken over our calendar

My google search history

full of symptoms that pop up

like whack-a-mole

The list of medications that rival a CVS receipt

And yet

When -- not if -- the hard is over

When we are finally through

The wondering, worrying, watching, waiting

You will no longer be here

So as much as the hard is hard

As taxing and depleting as it is

I don’t want it to end

Expand full comment
Isabelle Eyman's avatar

“So as much as the hard is hard, I don’t want it to end.” Such endlessly powerful words—they perfectly encapsulate everything I’ve felt through this journey. Isn’t that the beauty of writing? That we can connect with others not only through shared experiences but our own distillation of those moments of challenge? I’m so sorry to know you’re going through something similar, but thank you for the comfort of these words. Sending you so much love and strength through this. Please keep me updated with how you’re doing 🤍

Expand full comment
Nancy Scannell's avatar

This brought me to tears. . . . tears of love, understanding, and gratitude for not being alone. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Isabelle Eyman's avatar

Thank you Nancy for the kindness and vulnerable words. I’m so grateful the thoughts resonated 🤍

Expand full comment
Kristen Garaffo's avatar

🤍🤍🤍

Expand full comment