Excellent read, Abby. A few weeks ago I read about some research that had delved into longevity. One of the top predictors of a long, happy life is engaging in interactions with those around us.
Thanks so much, Carolyn! And how interesting re: longevity! Makes sense to me given that loneliness has been compared to smoking in terms of being a cause of earlier mortality.
Congrats on the HP piece! You're such an inspiration. 1. I REALLY need to start watching the real housewives of Beverly Hills. 2. I love impromptu elevator chitchat. Most of the time in elevators, people are stoicly quiet, eyes glued to the floor or on their phones. 3. Your daughter is so smart and full of wisdom! I love how you reference her in this letter.
Abby - it is always a pleasure to read your insights on life, connecting and using humour to get us through tight spots. Cheers! I will be reading your Huffington Post piece next.
Living far from all my siblings and my mom I relate to your daughter’s comments about how easy it is to see them as “flat screenshots.” How insightful and right she is. Best wishes on your HuffPost piece and Bombeck competition!!
Great post, Abby! I love what your daughter said about rejection. It's so true. I can't wait to read your HuffPost piece and best of luck on the Erma Bombeck Writing Competition!
I am excited to read your HuffPost piece! Humor is so important in life & serves us in so many ways. Your family stories touched on so many areas that we can all relate to, Abby. ❤️Small Talk. Yes, another part of life. I have had some amazing encounters with people in what began as strangers engaging in small talk with me, only to have our conversations lead to deeper discussions that moved both of us. It obviously doesn’t happen every time, nor do we always have the time for it, but when it has happened, it stays with me. I am extremely “chatty” by nature and I love engaging with people, period. Your daughter is a wise young woman. And I am going to remember her “rejection is redirection” as she nailed it!
Thanks, Susan! Those conversations are so uplifting, aren't they? I met another couple in an elevator and we ended up sitting together on the beach and becoming friends. All because someone took a chance on talking to a stranger. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
As I kick January in the ass (not a good month here), I want to have a cup of coffee with you over that proverbial white picket fence. I could so relate to this piece on so many levels. Our son lives a thousand miles away and my aging, remaining parent, one sibling, and family live 150 miles away. Same for my husband''s family. I haven't lived in proximity to extended family since 1982 and sometimes if feels like being an extra on someone else's Broadway premiere. Especially in times of difficulty on their or our part, it's hard to be away. And your daughter is right, things change when you don't see someone often. So we also survive on humor, a series of inside jokes honed over four decades of marriage that most others would find stupid. But it works for us. Thanks for this piece. I needed it this morning.
Amy, I'm sending you a virtual hug from here! And isn't humor a lifeline? Like, seriously? It's the most important and effective coping mechanism I have. I hope February is kinder to you. Thanks so much for reading this and for taking the time to comment. That my words landed with you well means more to me than I can express here. xo
Your HuffPo piece sounds fantastic! I can’t wait to read it, Abby. And your daughter is so wise. I need to keep “rejection is redirection” in mind this week as I think about some responses (and nonresponses) to pitches.
The love of random small talk in Texas can be overwhelming if you're running a bunch of errands/in a hurry, but I definitely appreciate the friendliness post-pandemic.
Excellent read, Abby. A few weeks ago I read about some research that had delved into longevity. One of the top predictors of a long, happy life is engaging in interactions with those around us.
Thanks so much, Carolyn! And how interesting re: longevity! Makes sense to me given that loneliness has been compared to smoking in terms of being a cause of earlier mortality.
OMG, so excited about your HuffPost piece!!!!
Thanks! Me too!
Congrats on the HP piece! You're such an inspiration. 1. I REALLY need to start watching the real housewives of Beverly Hills. 2. I love impromptu elevator chitchat. Most of the time in elevators, people are stoicly quiet, eyes glued to the floor or on their phones. 3. Your daughter is so smart and full of wisdom! I love how you reference her in this letter.
Thanks so much, Maureen! I don't know if I'd enjoy RHOBH nearly as much without watching it with my daughter. It's a spectator sport for us.
Hah! If only I had a daughter! I know for a fact hubs will not binge it with me. 🤣
You should still watch it yourself. My husband mutters from the other room when he hears it.
Abby - it is always a pleasure to read your insights on life, connecting and using humour to get us through tight spots. Cheers! I will be reading your Huffington Post piece next.
❤️❤️❤️
Living far from all my siblings and my mom I relate to your daughter’s comments about how easy it is to see them as “flat screenshots.” How insightful and right she is. Best wishes on your HuffPost piece and Bombeck competition!!
Thanks so much, Nancy!
Great post, Abby! I love what your daughter said about rejection. It's so true. I can't wait to read your HuffPost piece and best of luck on the Erma Bombeck Writing Competition!
Thanks, Heather!
I am excited to read your HuffPost piece! Humor is so important in life & serves us in so many ways. Your family stories touched on so many areas that we can all relate to, Abby. ❤️Small Talk. Yes, another part of life. I have had some amazing encounters with people in what began as strangers engaging in small talk with me, only to have our conversations lead to deeper discussions that moved both of us. It obviously doesn’t happen every time, nor do we always have the time for it, but when it has happened, it stays with me. I am extremely “chatty” by nature and I love engaging with people, period. Your daughter is a wise young woman. And I am going to remember her “rejection is redirection” as she nailed it!
Thanks, Susan! Those conversations are so uplifting, aren't they? I met another couple in an elevator and we ended up sitting together on the beach and becoming friends. All because someone took a chance on talking to a stranger. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
And congrats on the HuffPost piece. That's awesome!
Thank you! I'll be sharing it everywhere. Looking forward to hearing what you think.
As I kick January in the ass (not a good month here), I want to have a cup of coffee with you over that proverbial white picket fence. I could so relate to this piece on so many levels. Our son lives a thousand miles away and my aging, remaining parent, one sibling, and family live 150 miles away. Same for my husband''s family. I haven't lived in proximity to extended family since 1982 and sometimes if feels like being an extra on someone else's Broadway premiere. Especially in times of difficulty on their or our part, it's hard to be away. And your daughter is right, things change when you don't see someone often. So we also survive on humor, a series of inside jokes honed over four decades of marriage that most others would find stupid. But it works for us. Thanks for this piece. I needed it this morning.
Amy, I'm sending you a virtual hug from here! And isn't humor a lifeline? Like, seriously? It's the most important and effective coping mechanism I have. I hope February is kinder to you. Thanks so much for reading this and for taking the time to comment. That my words landed with you well means more to me than I can express here. xo
Your HuffPo piece sounds fantastic! I can’t wait to read it, Abby. And your daughter is so wise. I need to keep “rejection is redirection” in mind this week as I think about some responses (and nonresponses) to pitches.
Yes, rejection is redirection is so fitting when it comes to pitches. Now we need some wise words about ghosting.
The love of random small talk in Texas can be overwhelming if you're running a bunch of errands/in a hurry, but I definitely appreciate the friendliness post-pandemic.
Yeah, I can see how that can go in the other direction. I'm an east coaster and we don't have that problem. ;)
Yep - I lived in NYC for a decade, where I learned to be maximally efficient with small talk. :-D