Maybe you don't remember me. You edited my essay one year ago on Audacity. I don't know what to say about the loaded emotion you are witnessing in this world. Many of us can't fathom why and how this world at this capacity still decide to kill thousands with glorified high-tech weapon systems.
Maybe we can't fathom and will never be able to. Thank you for writing about it. About the third place in my heart. As an Asian writer who didn't write in English before this, and was humiliated in my office for speaking English with accent, I think I should tell you your edits empowered me in many ways. You asked my intention instead of imposing the grammar rules. You asked what I wanted to say instead of stating that "this is not English" (yes, my line manager at the office did that to me and took all my confidence away). I know this seems irrelevant to what you wrote, but in this craftwork process, I am grateful to get some moments experiencing what you talk about as "a place we gather". I saw that place through what you tried to do.
I wish you a less lonely year because many third places will bloom into your world and you like to step into them and see them and care for them. The world is less lonely when people get to listen, I think you have been very attentive to listen to the world (and all the essays you edited).
Of course I remember you! And thank you so much for this thoughtful, generous response. It brought tears to my eyes. It means so much to me that our work together was a good experience for you - your piece was terrific. I hope your 2024 is filled with joy and peace.
This is such a wonderful essay. I, too, have been so frustrated with the constant pressure to believe in the myth of "normal." As you said our world is really fucked right now, and pretending everything is fine (or at least, will be fine) just makes everything worse. Thank you for naming this. I'm going to go read your linked article now.
Thank you so much for reading! Yeah, the focus everyone has on normalcy is gonna be the death of us, I'm afraid, if we don't start admitting to how fucked everything is.
Hi Megan, you capture the essence of what I'm feeling. The world has run amok, it seems, including in our own country, with an upcoming election where the stakes have never been higher.
The world has always been a volatile place, filled with atrocities. That's because people can be greedy and just plain nasty. Hoping 2024 will bring peace but I doubt it.
This piece is beautiful and encapsulates a lot of things I’ve been feeling these past couple years. A third place that has given me lots of love is writing letters. I only regularly write to my dad, but I hope to expand it this year. Thanks for your writing I truly enjoyed it<3
This is a beautiful piece. Sometimes I think the pieces we don't publish are as important as the ones we do. I have my own collection of things that were essential for me to write, but which I'm quietly satisfied never got published. I didn't feel that way at the time (who enjoys rejection?!) but ultimately I've found my way toward a 'what's for you won't pass you' kind of acceptance.
Thank you for this thought-provoking essay. I'm looking forward to reading more from you.
Dear Megan,
Maybe you don't remember me. You edited my essay one year ago on Audacity. I don't know what to say about the loaded emotion you are witnessing in this world. Many of us can't fathom why and how this world at this capacity still decide to kill thousands with glorified high-tech weapon systems.
Maybe we can't fathom and will never be able to. Thank you for writing about it. About the third place in my heart. As an Asian writer who didn't write in English before this, and was humiliated in my office for speaking English with accent, I think I should tell you your edits empowered me in many ways. You asked my intention instead of imposing the grammar rules. You asked what I wanted to say instead of stating that "this is not English" (yes, my line manager at the office did that to me and took all my confidence away). I know this seems irrelevant to what you wrote, but in this craftwork process, I am grateful to get some moments experiencing what you talk about as "a place we gather". I saw that place through what you tried to do.
I wish you a less lonely year because many third places will bloom into your world and you like to step into them and see them and care for them. The world is less lonely when people get to listen, I think you have been very attentive to listen to the world (and all the essays you edited).
<3
Of course I remember you! And thank you so much for this thoughtful, generous response. It brought tears to my eyes. It means so much to me that our work together was a good experience for you - your piece was terrific. I hope your 2024 is filled with joy and peace.
This is such a wonderful essay. I, too, have been so frustrated with the constant pressure to believe in the myth of "normal." As you said our world is really fucked right now, and pretending everything is fine (or at least, will be fine) just makes everything worse. Thank you for naming this. I'm going to go read your linked article now.
Thank you so much for reading! Yeah, the focus everyone has on normalcy is gonna be the death of us, I'm afraid, if we don't start admitting to how fucked everything is.
Hi Megan, you capture the essence of what I'm feeling. The world has run amok, it seems, including in our own country, with an upcoming election where the stakes have never been higher.
The world has always been a volatile place, filled with atrocities. That's because people can be greedy and just plain nasty. Hoping 2024 will bring peace but I doubt it.
Thank you for reading, Beth. And I hope 2024 will bring peace too, but I'm also very skeptical.
Me too. Very doubtful.
Thank you for putting language to this...Third Places. I love it.
Thank you so much for reading!
This piece is beautiful and encapsulates a lot of things I’ve been feeling these past couple years. A third place that has given me lots of love is writing letters. I only regularly write to my dad, but I hope to expand it this year. Thanks for your writing I truly enjoyed it<3
I love this - I hadn't though about letters, and now I feel like I need to send a few this year. Thank you so much for reading <3
Thank you for the words!
Thank you for reading!
Yes, I resonate with this so much.
I love it when a friend sends me the very thing I need to read the most. Today, it was this.
Thank you, Meg, for writing so accessibly and beautifully about well, everything, but especially everything here.
Thank you so much for reading, Kate!
Oh your link to your pandemic article 🥺 what a beautiful piece, thank you
Thank you for reading!
This is a beautiful piece. Sometimes I think the pieces we don't publish are as important as the ones we do. I have my own collection of things that were essential for me to write, but which I'm quietly satisfied never got published. I didn't feel that way at the time (who enjoys rejection?!) but ultimately I've found my way toward a 'what's for you won't pass you' kind of acceptance.
Thank you for this thought-provoking essay. I'm looking forward to reading more from you.
Thank you for reading!