Free To Be Me with JoAnn Manzella

11/05/2024

What a beautiful soul she was! 💗
So much wisdom from her pain.

10/19/2024

I love this! How often do we try to avoid the memories, the songs, the places… because it’s too painful?

*******************************

When I am gone, do not fear my memory.

Do not be afraid to speak my name or look through old photographs.

Do not be scared to play old videos so that you might hear my voice and see me laughing.

Do not be wary of visiting my favourite places or eating my favourite foods or singing along to my favourite songs.

I know it will hurt. Those memories will remind you that I am gone.

They will stab at you like a knife in an open, gaping wound. Raw, excruciating pain.

But after a while the knife will become less sharp, the wound will become less open and the pain will become less raw.

And those memories will remind you that I was here.

That I lived.

Do not reduce my life to my death.

Speak my name, hear my voice, sing my favourite songs and visit my favourite places.

Because that’s how I can stay alive a little.

Right here with you 🧡

******

Becky Hemsley 2022
Artwork by the incredible Amanda Cass

10/18/2024

“It's your road, and yours alone.
others may walk it with you,
but no one can walk it for you.”
-Rumi

10/18/2024

"To love someone fiercely, to believe in something with your whole heart, to celebrate a fleeting moment in time, to fully engage in a life that doesn’t come with guarantees – these are risks that involve vulnerability and often pain.

But, I’m learning that recognizing and leaning into the discomfort of vulnerability teaches us how to live with joy, gratitude and grace."

-Brené Brown

Art - jedwardneil998

10/15/2024

Allow the pain to transform you. It’s what your soul longs for. And be gentle to yourself in the process. None of this is for the feint of heart. 💗

10/12/2024

10/06/2024

It’s definitely a dance between the two. 💃🏼💃🏼

09/28/2024

Yup!