15 Comments

I love this post, Aimee. and sweet Matt!!!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, friend. For the record, you're an illuminator, too.

Expand full comment

This made me all teary. My husband is an illuminator too. I'm so grateful. And so much of this hit so many tender spots... so I feel seen :)

Expand full comment
author

I'm so glad, Annelise.

I thought you would enjoy this other quote from the podcast episode with David Brooks: "You know, we writers, we work out our stuff in public. It’s what we do. And one of my favorite phrases is 'What writers do is they tell other beggars where they found bread.'"

Expand full comment

Loved this, Aimee! Your husband sounds like a gem. I love the idea of being an illuminator in conversations rather than a diminisher. Definitely something to strive for. I'll be thinking about the last time I felt seen (or, rather 'beheld'—such a great word).

Expand full comment
author
Nov 3, 2023·edited Nov 3, 2023Author

So glad it resonated, Sarah. Illuminator, Diminisher, Beheld. Such great words to find in one podcast!

Expand full comment

Loves this post, Aimee! I listen to Kate Bowler but haven’t played that one yet. I also bike and kayak and have been dealing with pain (but only for a year...hopefully to be eliminated soon with surgery). I hope your healing continues and you can more fully enjoy ALL you are doing! (Which is a lot.) I’m seeing you without really knowing you and can agree with your husband’s words. You’re a beautiful person.

Expand full comment
author

Linda, I've seen from your posts that you are a fellow biker and kayaker (I'm feeling sad that the weather is about to change, what will your winter outdoor activities be?). I'm sorry that you've been dealing with pain, I truly hope the surgery helps!

I'm speechless with the generosity of your words here, thank you.

Expand full comment

My winter activities are not very outdoorsy. Hopefully my hip surgery will allow me to walk more, but I won't be ready for that for a while. Indoors, I like to put my bike on a trainer and do yoga. I love downhill skiing when we visit our son in Colorado, but that's not going to happen this winter!

Expand full comment

This is one of my favorites. I love that Matt sees you and loves you for all of it. And I agree that Beth is also an illuminator. Definitely. It's so nice to have people in your life who speak truth to you about who you are. It's good to have a voice that is contradictory to the lies that we tell ourselves.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, friend, you are definitely one of the illuminator's who came to mind that has seen me over the years when I felt pretty invisible everywhere else. I hope I've done the same for you!

Expand full comment

Your writing is beautiful and tender. You write like a friend along the way. I’m glad to have found you here. And I think people value your writing because, in a way, that kindred way you make them feel is a form of being seen and understood. ❤️

Expand full comment
author

What generous words, Mackenzie. Thanks for taking the time to read my words and then to share you own. To make others feel seen but telling our stories-yes, yes, yes.

Expand full comment

beautiful, beautiful. I could have written your few lines about not being seen myself. This will prompt me to reflect on when I have been. thank you.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks for the kind words, Brooke. So glad it resonated with you.

Expand full comment