So much emotion. So much humanity. So much vulnerability. Thank you for sharing your writing and thank you, universe, for landing this particular piece in front of me just when I️ needed it (right after Mother’s Day).
Hi Beth - I'll be sharing this post as a part of my Kissing the Earth series in June (https://satyarobyn.substack.com/p/a32095f2-c91e-4401-b692-d19d9eb75e52) - you've conjured hikikomogomo so beautifully. Thank you for your writing - I'm glad you came over to Substack - and I hope you're well - sending blessings from here. (If you'd like to receive the daily nature poems in June just let me know satya@satyarobyn.com and I'll comp you!)
Having lost my Dad in January, and my best friend in 2020 to ovarian cancer, Kokoro is speaking to me even more than I expected it to. Life has been busy and, at times, relentless recently, but picking it up gives me some sort of oasis of calm, something to believe in, even if it's just for a few minutes
hikikomogomo, what an amazing word! Thanks Beth for inviting me to go deeper into Japanese culture with your books. You arrived into my life at the right time, I too lost my mother last year, and I was overwhelmed by sadness, but my encounter with you reconnected me with my creativity and opened new ways of expression, and that changed everything.
@bethkempton I recently discovered you here on Substack & am so happy to know of you. Your writing is inspiring me to return to my own writing after a long, unintended absence. I just ordered Kyoto from Blackwells & will be counting the days until it's arrival. 🙏🫶
Beautiful. Today’s my mother’s bday…lost her about 18 months ago. You might have your book featured in the bookstore of JANM, the Japanese American National Museum
So I have done it! Lent is over and so is my “no buying books during Lent” and I’ve just ordered your lovely book (and I ordered Ruth Allen’s Weathering at the same time). What a treat! To myself. Now a little patience…😊🙏
Your recount of navigating the complexities of joy and sorrow in life, especially through your experiences in Japan and the poignant journey of writing "KOKORO," is deeply moving. It beautifully illustrates the essence of HIKIKOMOGOMO - experiencing the bittersweet symphony of life. The way you've intertwined personal growth, loss, and the celebration of significant moments like your wedding anniversary, all while honoring loved ones and embracing the uncertain, is truly inspiring. Congratulations on the launch. All the best!
Started reading my copy in bed last night. Had to put it down after just a few pages; so much to absorb & think on. I suspect that this will be one of those books that I return to time and again. Thank you 🙏🏼
I can't wait to receive my pre-order! And thank you for sharing about the reality of travelling with kids. I fall into the trap of romanticising my holiday travels when I'm planning for them. Of course, I hope for the grandest time. And the more I do that, the more that the universe conspires to bring me back down. In short, something goes wrong and we all get pissed off one way or another. I ask myself the same question, What did I expect? A whole lot of non-reality, that's for sure. 🤷♀️
So much emotion. So much humanity. So much vulnerability. Thank you for sharing your writing and thank you, universe, for landing this particular piece in front of me just when I️ needed it (right after Mother’s Day).
Hi Beth - I'll be sharing this post as a part of my Kissing the Earth series in June (https://satyarobyn.substack.com/p/a32095f2-c91e-4401-b692-d19d9eb75e52) - you've conjured hikikomogomo so beautifully. Thank you for your writing - I'm glad you came over to Substack - and I hope you're well - sending blessings from here. (If you'd like to receive the daily nature poems in June just let me know satya@satyarobyn.com and I'll comp you!)
Having lost my Dad in January, and my best friend in 2020 to ovarian cancer, Kokoro is speaking to me even more than I expected it to. Life has been busy and, at times, relentless recently, but picking it up gives me some sort of oasis of calm, something to believe in, even if it's just for a few minutes
hikikomogomo, what an amazing word! Thanks Beth for inviting me to go deeper into Japanese culture with your books. You arrived into my life at the right time, I too lost my mother last year, and I was overwhelmed by sadness, but my encounter with you reconnected me with my creativity and opened new ways of expression, and that changed everything.
@bethkempton I recently discovered you here on Substack & am so happy to know of you. Your writing is inspiring me to return to my own writing after a long, unintended absence. I just ordered Kyoto from Blackwells & will be counting the days until it's arrival. 🙏🫶
Thank you!!
Beautifully written!
Beautiful. Today’s my mother’s bday…lost her about 18 months ago. You might have your book featured in the bookstore of JANM, the Japanese American National Museum
So I have done it! Lent is over and so is my “no buying books during Lent” and I’ve just ordered your lovely book (and I ordered Ruth Allen’s Weathering at the same time). What a treat! To myself. Now a little patience…😊🙏
What a beautiful phrase in Japanese ❤️
Your recount of navigating the complexities of joy and sorrow in life, especially through your experiences in Japan and the poignant journey of writing "KOKORO," is deeply moving. It beautifully illustrates the essence of HIKIKOMOGOMO - experiencing the bittersweet symphony of life. The way you've intertwined personal growth, loss, and the celebration of significant moments like your wedding anniversary, all while honoring loved ones and embracing the uncertain, is truly inspiring. Congratulations on the launch. All the best!
Very thought provoking article - thanks, Beth. I have my copy of Kokoro and am looking forward to reading it and hearing more about your journey!
Such a beautiful letter. Thank you for sharing this. I've just ordered Kokoro from my library.
Started reading my copy in bed last night. Had to put it down after just a few pages; so much to absorb & think on. I suspect that this will be one of those books that I return to time and again. Thank you 🙏🏼
Oh I hope so!
I can't wait to receive my pre-order! And thank you for sharing about the reality of travelling with kids. I fall into the trap of romanticising my holiday travels when I'm planning for them. Of course, I hope for the grandest time. And the more I do that, the more that the universe conspires to bring me back down. In short, something goes wrong and we all get pissed off one way or another. I ask myself the same question, What did I expect? A whole lot of non-reality, that's for sure. 🤷♀️
It was a wake up call for sure. I think it would have been the same wherever we were at that particular time!
This book is exactly what I need right now, sweetly serendipitously so and it has already given me great joy and made me weep. So so beautiful 🌸💕
@susancain, the Japanese version of bittersweet.