Oh new friend,, it was an honor to be mentioned in your post and I'm so excited for your year! Plus, your comment about wrong assumptions regarding Oktoberfest (I thoroughly enjoyed that piece) reminded me of my first time at Mardi Gras! Going to write about that soon - so thank you for the inspiration. Your writing, adventurous nature, and keen eye will take you farther than you can imagine.
It was WAY more of a family affair/block party feel than I would have imagined. It felt like there were two Mardi Gras experiences you could choose to have, when I thought there was only the one alternative of tits and alcohol abuse ha.
I’m so glad our paths crossed here, Sam, and I am honored to call you friend. I love what you’re doing here and it’s just the beginning--congratulations on your success and tenacity during both a very tough and beautiful year. Can’t wait to see where you take us next, literally and figuratively. Happy New Year! 🎊 (and, as always, thank you for support, Sam 🤗)
Thank you for your post so far, and for taking the time to post them.
I live in the UK, Blackpool by the sea, having moved here 5 years ago with my wife. For the last 3 years we have been looking after my Mother who is now 99 in our house. We dragged her here when Covid started as that was the safest place for her to be, my siblings were working and around children so we couldn't let her catch the dreaded bug. Since then my Mother's mental state and her health has deteriorated to the point that we are now her carers and it is now putting quite a strain on me and my wife. We are having a family meeting in the next few weeks to discuss the best option for my Mother going forward.
The reason for the preamble is to give you a brief explanation behind my hopes for 2023. I simply want to get mine and my wife's life back, whilst also ensuring that my Mother is appropriately looked after. We miss enjoying our time with my Mother, and we want to get that back.
At times I think this is being selfish, particularly as my Mother is 99, but for us all to be in a better place this year things have to change.
Oh my goodness, Richard--thank you for sharing this. While I don’t think I can know exactly what you’re going through because each situation is unique, I absolutely understand the strain of being a caregiver, and how difficult it becomes to take time for yourself when a loved one needs looking after. For what it’s worth, I don’t believe your desire to get your life back is selfish at all...we have to keep something for ourselves in order to be able to give to others.
I hope you and your family find a more sustainable situation this year--one that allows you to de-stress and enjoy each other. Best wishes and happy New Year!
Sam, I've just read your scuba story and my heart is in pieces. Thank you for linking to it in this post - I'm a recent subscriber so hadn't yet seen it. I'm so glad to have read it.
Jan 3, 2023·edited Jan 3, 2023Liked by Samantha Childress
Hopefully you will be able to achieve some of the goals for this year, Sam. Last year wasn't the best year for me, however I did achieve two goals that year, The first one, was to achieve a GPA above 3.0 for University and the second one was I reached my halfway gaol for my subscribers on my newsletter (didn't achieve the yearly goal though). For this year, if everything goes right, I'm heading for Sweden on exchange, so that will be a new experience as I have never been to the country.
Also I read you're scuba piece as well, it was very well written and just like in many of the articles I read from you, the authenticity of what you experienced was the best part of it
A semester abroad in Sweden sounds amazing, Fahim! Studying abroad is such a great experience. Even in the moments where it’s difficult or things go wrong or you get homesick, having to adjust to another culture helps you grow so much as a person. I would love to read about your experience, if you ever feel moved to write about it. Thank you so much for being a reader, and happy New Year--I hope 2023 is a great one 😊
So very nice to see you back in my in-box this morning! Thank you for the mention, I feel the same about the Substack community and you in particular. Yes, you should certainly submit your wonderful writing to paying publications!! Happy new year Sam.
And I’m so glad to have you here, Harold! Readers like you are a big part of why I enjoy writing this newsletter. It brings me so much joy to know that people enjoy living vicariously through my work. Happy New Year!
Oh new friend,, it was an honor to be mentioned in your post and I'm so excited for your year! Plus, your comment about wrong assumptions regarding Oktoberfest (I thoroughly enjoyed that piece) reminded me of my first time at Mardi Gras! Going to write about that soon - so thank you for the inspiration. Your writing, adventurous nature, and keen eye will take you farther than you can imagine.
I can’t wait to read about your Mardi Gras experience, Trilety! I’ve never had much of a desire to go, but perhaps your writing will inspire me??
I am so glad you have crossed paths with you here--Happy New Year 🤗
It was WAY more of a family affair/block party feel than I would have imagined. It felt like there were two Mardi Gras experiences you could choose to have, when I thought there was only the one alternative of tits and alcohol abuse ha.
I’m so glad our paths crossed here, Sam, and I am honored to call you friend. I love what you’re doing here and it’s just the beginning--congratulations on your success and tenacity during both a very tough and beautiful year. Can’t wait to see where you take us next, literally and figuratively. Happy New Year! 🎊 (and, as always, thank you for support, Sam 🤗)
Likewise, Jolene! I am so glad to have met you. It’s been the best unintended effect of starting a Substack!! Happy happy New Year 🤗❤️
Hi Sam,
Thank you for your post so far, and for taking the time to post them.
I live in the UK, Blackpool by the sea, having moved here 5 years ago with my wife. For the last 3 years we have been looking after my Mother who is now 99 in our house. We dragged her here when Covid started as that was the safest place for her to be, my siblings were working and around children so we couldn't let her catch the dreaded bug. Since then my Mother's mental state and her health has deteriorated to the point that we are now her carers and it is now putting quite a strain on me and my wife. We are having a family meeting in the next few weeks to discuss the best option for my Mother going forward.
The reason for the preamble is to give you a brief explanation behind my hopes for 2023. I simply want to get mine and my wife's life back, whilst also ensuring that my Mother is appropriately looked after. We miss enjoying our time with my Mother, and we want to get that back.
At times I think this is being selfish, particularly as my Mother is 99, but for us all to be in a better place this year things have to change.
Anyway that's it.
Take care, and thank you for your posts.
Richard
Oh my goodness, Richard--thank you for sharing this. While I don’t think I can know exactly what you’re going through because each situation is unique, I absolutely understand the strain of being a caregiver, and how difficult it becomes to take time for yourself when a loved one needs looking after. For what it’s worth, I don’t believe your desire to get your life back is selfish at all...we have to keep something for ourselves in order to be able to give to others.
I hope you and your family find a more sustainable situation this year--one that allows you to de-stress and enjoy each other. Best wishes and happy New Year!
Lovely post! Happy new year!
Sam, I've just read your scuba story and my heart is in pieces. Thank you for linking to it in this post - I'm a recent subscriber so hadn't yet seen it. I'm so glad to have read it.
❤️ Happy New Year, Rebecca, and thank you! So glad to have you as a reader.
Hopefully you will be able to achieve some of the goals for this year, Sam. Last year wasn't the best year for me, however I did achieve two goals that year, The first one, was to achieve a GPA above 3.0 for University and the second one was I reached my halfway gaol for my subscribers on my newsletter (didn't achieve the yearly goal though). For this year, if everything goes right, I'm heading for Sweden on exchange, so that will be a new experience as I have never been to the country.
Also I read you're scuba piece as well, it was very well written and just like in many of the articles I read from you, the authenticity of what you experienced was the best part of it
Wishing you all the best in 2023.
A semester abroad in Sweden sounds amazing, Fahim! Studying abroad is such a great experience. Even in the moments where it’s difficult or things go wrong or you get homesick, having to adjust to another culture helps you grow so much as a person. I would love to read about your experience, if you ever feel moved to write about it. Thank you so much for being a reader, and happy New Year--I hope 2023 is a great one 😊
Welcome Back and Happy New Year, Samantha, it's both reassuring and wonderful to see your return. Thank you for the very kind mention, it is mutual.
Happy New Year, Edward! Hope you’ve been well 😊
So very nice to see you back in my in-box this morning! Thank you for the mention, I feel the same about the Substack community and you in particular. Yes, you should certainly submit your wonderful writing to paying publications!! Happy new year Sam.
Happy New Year, Vicki!! I hope you had a wonderful holiday and can’t wait to see what you cook up this year!
Happy New Year! I can't wait to read whatever you write for 2023!
Happy New Year, Rachel! 🤗
And I’m so glad to have you here, Harold! Readers like you are a big part of why I enjoy writing this newsletter. It brings me so much joy to know that people enjoy living vicariously through my work. Happy New Year!