13 Comments
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Penelope Ekphrasis's avatar

"Hope is a verb. Joy is a choice. Neither are finish lines you cross only once, they must be fought for and lived for over and over again." Thank you <3

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Robyn Ryle's avatar

I love this so much, Ben. Thank you.

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Rachel's avatar

Love this so, so much. Thank you.

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Ryn's avatar

I’m glad you’re moving to a blue state, that must have been worrying not knowing where you’d be moving to

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Nancy Slusarski's avatar

Congratulations on the next step for your wife becoming a medical professional. And sad to know you will be leaving the St. Louis area. You have been a beacon of light. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to meet you at the meet the author event in Columbia, IL. May your next faze of life as a Californian be filled with wonders.

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Laura Despres's avatar

Thank you I want to live in a country where my children can be who they are and do the work they are called to do without fear. Clean air, water and a land that can sustain the highest possible level of biodiversity of life.

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Nyle Biondi's avatar

I love this. I wrote about joy as resistance this past week. I think we repress joy and hope for similar reasons. This week I’ve got one percolating about the importance of also feeling grief/more challenging emotions as a path to feeling joy/hope etc more fully. https://open.substack.com/pub/queerresilience/p/joy-as-resistance?r=17qnxh&utm_medium=ios

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SB Rawz's avatar

How exciting for you and your wife!! I'm so glad you wrote this - when we give up hope, we do our opponents' work for them. I'm dreaming of a world where my grandbabies - the one already born and the ones our daughter dreams of someday having - just can't believe our lived experience because theirs is so wildly inclusive, joyful, and equitable!

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Matt Lemcke's avatar

CHOC is an amazing hospital! Good hiking in Irvine Regional Park, and lots of great microbreweries in Anaheim/Orange. Safe travels!!

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Brianna Davis's avatar

Best of luck on the move! Thank you for writing this, I needed to hear it!

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Jacquelyn's avatar

Beautiful writing and message, thank you!! 🫶🏻

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Mary K Walsh's avatar

Congratulations and best of luck on this move! SoCall will be very welcoming to you!

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Deborah Reinhardt's avatar

I'm SO HAPPY for you and your wife and I know y'all will plant deep roots in your new home. Grateful your writing and newsletter keeps all your friends & fans connected over the many miles! Wishing you a bright future, safe travels, and fulfilled dreams.

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