albertnothlit

It takes guts to share so much about yourself. While reading I wished I could give the boy a hug and tell him it's going to be all right, but by the end of the story realized I didn't really need to. Despite all of the challenges that are conveyed through this at times oppressive, circuitous, and effective writing style, it's clear to the reader that the boy is now a man and the man has learned much. I see inner strength in these lines; the will not to give up but instead keep going and seeing what other interesting surprises life has in store. Thanks for sharing, Lux.

This is such an interesting start to a story! I really like the way we see Taylor from their point of view, not the way the world sees them, until later in the story. This makes me, as a reader, imagine Taylor as an androgynous person and resist the urge to immediately classify someone as belonging to either gender, a kind of reflex reaction that comes from a lifetime of binary thinking. I think the way the narrative evolves and how it is asking us to challenge many preconceptions, among them the fact that having a romantic relationship and moving it to the "next step" should always involve sex - but what if someone isn't ready for that? There are many kinds of intimacy. I like the line where Taylor wonders whether they are comfortable enough with their body to trust another person with it. That was such a powerful statement, and it speaks to a journey of self-acceptance which many people go through, and which I can only imagine. Thanks for sharing this, Valkyrie!

Thank you guys for the amazing feedback. Wombat Bill - I'm glad you found your own path during this particular celebration. In my case, I think I will still celebrate, as I did on my own this year, not so much because of religion but because of the symbolism I associate with that day specifically. For me, it's an opportunity to be thankful, cook something special, and sing along to obnoxiously catchy Christmas carols on what often is the longest night of the year. Lux Apollo - thank you for the wishes. I actually had fun on my own on Christmas Eve and it was great to watch a Christmas movie without needing to run it by anyone else and then just go to bed early so I would avoid the fireworks which people in my neighborhood love to set off right around midnight. I slept really well and spent Christmas Day reflecting and, I think, growing as a person. I felt lonely occasionally, but more often at peace. Tony - thank you for the message and don't worry, I understand it's not pity. Thank you for commiserating. I'm working on not feeling pity for myself either, and I think it's going very well. In a way, it's exciting to have this freedom and an opportunity to really learn to enjoy my own company. Happy soon-to-be 2022!! -Albert

Thank you all! I hope everyone has a lovely holiday time

Thank you so much, Valkyrie! I'm sending you a big Christmas hug, and I wish you a wonderful New Year!

This will be the first Christmas of my life that I spend on my own. These past few days have been interesting. I have alternated between feeling sad, defiant, and hopeful. I have spent much time in reflection, pondering questions, and I have found my answer. I hope that, by sharing it, I can understand it better, and maybe even help someone else. I suppose I should begin by describing how I have come to understand that I have deeply internalized a message that is ubiquitous, a socially

My reflection on spending the holidays with myself as company.

Thank you all! It's really heartwarming to read your messages, and it looks like this new year which is only just beginning is already looking like it will be full of good things, growth, and hope. Warm hugs to each and everyone of you!

Thank you, guys! And happy 2020!

Months have gone by since I last wrote, and it has been an interesting time. Tough, challenging, at some points surprisingly rewarding – an ongoing struggle to regain my footing in the middle of a frozen lake, on ground that felt like treacherous and slippery ice at the beginning. It felt impossible to try and take a step forward without risking losing my balance and falling down, crashing through the brittle surface that could barely hold my weight and sinking into the black and icy waters of p

Good observation, Will, thank you! And yeah, chipmunks are right up there too, though I do find them cuter, not sure why.

Thank you so much, drsawzall!

I love spinning mysteries, and I think part of that is because I have always enjoyed reading mysteries myself. When I do, there's always this struggle I go through where I want to read ahead so the author reveals what's going on, but I also want to figure things out in my own. (Most of the time I just read ahead - I'm not that good at guessing as a reader!)

Thank you! I also love space, but in my case, my fascination is also tempered by really big what ifs. There might be dangers out there that we don't even suspect exist. And yet the more we learn about the cosmos, the more my fascination grows.

Thank you for the compliment, Will! I do love that era, and the language of the time holds a certain draw that I just couldn't resist using