stitched and mended and worn and loved.
how I'm basically just a stuffed lion or two.
Facebook is (almost) good for nothing. It’s mainly a metaphorical village filled with bridges where trolls breed at an exponential rate. But Facebook has a few redeeming qualities. FIRST OFF, Facebook Marketplace is the best place to buy and sell stuff online. I don’t know how they did it, but it’s gold. Example: Do I need this Levi’s ski suit???
Every so often, Facebook reminds me of a friend’s birthday, which I appreciate. But lately, I’ve been grateful for the memories Facebook feeds me. There was a time when I posted so. many. things. on FB. And yes, I’m basically just oversharing somewhere else now (here), but there was something special about cataloguing the every-other-day. A couple days ago, I was a bit taken aback when a memory from ELEVEN years ago popped up.
There was my ski accident 11 years ago—in January 2013. I wrote about it. I remembered it. But I forgot that it was so much more than just that day. It was the brain injury afterwards. It was the surgeries throughout the year. It was so much therapy. It was so much fear. It was so much rebuilding. I forgot. It made me thinking about how much of life is falling, getting back up, and then getting stitched together through a process that takes longer than I’d like.
Marcelline’s stuffies (Big Kid Roary and Little Kid Roary) both have had multiple surgeries. They both have sweaters now to keep all their innards… well… inside.
Both of them were once brand new. There actually used to be only one Roary. He used to be perfect. Marcelline loved him so much that we realized, “okay, we need back-up. we need another Roary.” And now both Roarys aren’t perfect anymore. They’re actually both pretty ragged. Marcie sucks her thumb with one or both of them and ends up kind of sucking on a Roary while also stroking their manes. (it’s both gross and lovely.) Both Roaries have had their tails reattached. The Roaries used to be pristine. But they’ve been all over the world. They’ve been cried on. They’ve been included in family games and shows. They’ve been carried into scary first days and hospital stays. They’ve both changed shape. They’ve both lost hair. They’ve been stitched and mended and—overall—they’ve been loved so hard. They’re still both smiling so big.
I watch Marcelline find a Roary and find the scars she knows and loves and realize it’s part of what makes her like them most. The wear of life has made them better. Made them seasoned.
There was never a time when I was perfect and then I wasn’t. This is what I’m remembering now. It was more than just one ski accident. I’ve changed shape. I’ve lost hair. I have fallen. I have been all over the world and all over the map and I have been stitched and mended and loved so hard. And it’s hard not to smile so big at all of that. My smile isn’t sewn on, but there have been many stitches in that general area.
Quick Hits:
Jam of the Week: Kendrick Lamar – squabble up.
(Kendrick’s latest album immediately messed up everyone’s Best of 2024 lists in the best way. this is what I wrote for KHOL: “The world has had about two minutes with Kendrick Lamar's newest album and we can all agree it's incredible. This man does not miss. After a year of absolutely owning Drake with "Not Like Us" and everyone and their sister jumping on that take down, Kendrick put out "GNX" on November 22. I didn't have too high of hopes, because I was just grateful to listen to "Not Like Us" on repeat during long runs, but wow. Not only are there no skips, but it's also an album where I find myself saying, "Wait, let me listen to that again" as soon as a track ends.”)
I Can’t Pretend That I Don’t Love Drake, Tho.
(I recently shared that video I made [with many friends] from when Evan graduated from nursing school and his laugh is HEALING.)You Do Not Need A Gift Guide From Me.
(because it’s getting redundant, but here we go with my go-tos: Ove Glove, 2025 Calendar, 2025 Tarot Card, Olive & June Nails, Sorel Shoes, Puzzles, Mr. Boddington Anything.)
KHOL HAS A RECORD CLUB.
(not to brag, but I’ve been working with our badass music director and tons of my favorite record labels to get this Record of the Month Club together… and it’s good. if you have the means, it’s a rad way to support community radio AND add to your vinyl collection.)Marcelline And I Are Obsessed With This Show Now?
(we watched the finale last night and I cried MULTIPLE TIMES.)
Looking For A Friend In Jackson To Do This With Me For KHOL’s Holiday Party.
(I’m too tall to do it on my own. party’s December 6th at the Virg.)
Kids Are Delusional And I Love It.
(how is this song such a bop??)
Thank you all for the love and support from my post last week. I am still so heartbroken about Diane, but there is joy in connecting with friends—especially when grieving. Onward, right? I guess? Together. With a few more stitches and scars and love.
xxo,
rachel.