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Krista Drechsel's avatar

Jess, I'm so sorry about your hearing! What a wild thing to learn to accept while also wading through motherhood and winter and all-the-things. Love what you said about getting outside daily. I also read that book when my oldest was young and it's stuck with me. :)

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Jess Moran's avatar

Thank you, Krista! It certainly has been a wild ride. ❤️ Isn't it a great book? She's just released a new one and I can't wait to read it!

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Valerie S's avatar

Hi Jessica! Love that poem, particularly the lines you highlighted. In the PNW, we have such little light sometimes that the image of reaching out with mittened hands resonated with me. I am definitely going to check out that podcast episode!

Have you heard of Love & Saffron? I’m 30% in it and it’s two women in the 1960’s who write letters to each other and there’s lots of talk about food. I think you would like it!

Also, I’m sorry to hear about your hearing! That must be very difficult.

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Jess Moran's avatar

Hi Valerie! Thank you so much for reading. Isn't it a lovely piece? It resonated with me as well and I had to share it. Let me know what you think of the podcast!

I haven't heard of that, but you are right - it sounds like my kind of book. Adding to my list!!

Thank you, hopefully it will clear up or I will find better ways to cope with the side effects.

Let me know how you and the littles are doing, text me any time! I would love that.

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Ainsley Haines's avatar

Just flying in to say this poem you shared and your reflection on it was the most touching thing I’ve read today 🤍 Here for more of this Jess!

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Jess Moran's avatar

Ainsley - thank you. This meant so much to me. I really enjoy writing from this space, and carving out the time has felt much easier. Thank you for being here and for your encouragement, friend.

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Dana OHara Smith's avatar

But wait!!

My comment posted before I was done writing what I wanted to write. A few years ago I lost hearing in my right ear.

I had an allergy to cats, but had decided to keep a favorite cat on here at the house when my mother moved. I just couldn’t abandon the cat.

Long story short is my allergies got the best of me, and one ear closed and never opened up again .  I refused to believe that I lost my hearing and went to six different doctors, all of which told me the same thing. I was in disbelief.

Well, here I am a few years later and it’s something you just get used to. I tried hearing aids, and they just suck, and they are also very expensive. It’s just easier to tell my friends that I have a hearing issue and they get it.

I also find it is very common in women and think there is a hormonal link but of course there is no research on this, so everybody looks at me like I’m crazy .

Anyhow, I think it’s something you just have to get used to and I feel your pain !

Happy New Year’s, Jessica. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for you in the new year ! You are very talented. 😊

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Jess Moran's avatar

Hi Dana! I do that with comments all the time, haha, so I'll respond to both here! :)

Wow - to be in the same town as Mary Oliver! I think I would have daydreamed about running into her at every turn. Isn't that episode beautiful? It's given me something every time I've listened. And the similarity with our hearing loss - wow! What else did you try other than hearing aids? I've also read that it can be more common in women and related to hormones, even stress. I hope more comes out on it in time. Thank you for sharing that with me, Dana, and for your encouragement. It means a great deal. Happy New Year to you! :)

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Dana OHara Smith's avatar

Hi Jess, so glad to see you back here. I missed you last week!

Well, we have a few things in common, first of all that episode of Mary Oliver on On being one of my favorite episodes .

What’s even more interesting is Mary all of her lived in my small little town here in Florida called Hobe sound before she passed away. I did not know her personally, and I have only begun to learn more about her after she passed away. I do know people in the neighborhood that knew her and said she was very reclusive, (but of course!)

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JESSICA HARRIS's avatar

Jess, I’m sorry to hear about your hearing loss. This happened to another friend of mine last year. So scary! I’ll be thinking of you as you go through journey. I’m not a big New Year person either. I set some heartfelt intentions, choose a word to ponder for the year (sometimes), and still go to be around 9:30. I like to celebrate the my new year on my birthday. So mostly, I use the new year to check in with what I dreamed up on my birthday 🎂. These masculine energy holidays are exhausting. (PS Consumer holidays were also on my list 😘)

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