Ride that rip! What an amazing read - as always. And thank you I just bought How to Fly, thanks for introducing this poet to me - can't wait for your new book xx
Always looking out for others dear Kate, but this is truly exceptional. Your'e such an inspiration for us all. How lucky for those of us who call you a friend xxx
Thank you for your words, dear Jill xx and right back at you - very lucky to call you a friend (and a super human organiser! Still feeling on top of the world with my brand new inbox :))
Kate, this is so tender and beautiful. I was on the other end of this situation as a child (4 years old, face down in the ocean, pulled from the water by my dad) and I had never thought about the effect that would have had on him until recently. As a family, we always joke about what a brat I was but have never really addressed the actuality of what nearly happened. I wrote about it recently and my gratitude for my dad is beyond words. As I am sure is that child's mother who you helped. Thank you for sharing this with such generosity. x
Once had a close call with a niece in the ocean. When I told her about a little boy who had drowned at that beach she said ‘yeah but he didn’t die, did he?’ Terrible and funny all at once and still makes me catch my breath when I play out the what ifs.
The mouths of babes xx And yes the what ifs x thank you for reading and for sharing your own experience. A week on from writing this and the wake ups have stopped so it worked! x
thank you for this heart-stopping and educational read. i live by the Pacific NW Coast of the US, which is cold-watered and has fierce rip tides. folks look at Ocean and see it has friend, even during winter storm season! nope,it is to be respected. your wise respect for the waters you clearly love shines through this piece.
thank you for this heart-stopping and educational read. i live by the Pacific NW Coast of the US, which is cold-watered and has fierce rip tides. folks look at Ocean and see it has friend, even during winter storm season! nope,it is to be respected. your wise respect for the waters you clearly love shines through this piece.
Great read Kate and what a wild ride your summer camping trip turned out to be! I would love to read a poem called ‘How to Continue to Make Breakfast and Laugh with the Kids While the Whole World Goes to Shit"!!! Maybe you need to write it!
This gave me goosebumps.. of course for the idea of the what-if’s with kids and water and slips of attention… but mainly about how bloody important it is in life to have friends noticing when you quietly slip under, and also to have them be willing to spare their strength to protectively brace against the waves for you when you feel like you can’t. You’re a lifesaver in many more ways than just turning beach days into Baywatch shifts my darling.
A beautiful read, my friend. Thank you for the delicious reminder that all we can sometimes do is ride the rip. And be there when we can to help those who are. Adore you.
Gosh. Thank you for sharing these experiences. It’s sobering and humbling how saving a life can feel like a lifetime and a split second all at once. Glad (for those kids and their families) that you were there. What life lessons!! Great read and thanks for the recommendations. Loved There are Rivers in the Sky 🙌🏻
Thank you, Catrina xx Yes indeed to life lessons. And oh that book, have leant it out, but looking forward to a re-read. One of those books that deserves it!
Ride that rip! What an amazing read - as always. And thank you I just bought How to Fly, thanks for introducing this poet to me - can't wait for your new book xx
Oh I'm so glad to intro a poet to you, wonderful poet Fee! It's such a wonderful collection. And thank you for your words xx
I love How to Fly, so much beautiful wisdom in those poems.
Always looking out for others dear Kate, but this is truly exceptional. Your'e such an inspiration for us all. How lucky for those of us who call you a friend xxx
Thank you for your words, dear Jill xx and right back at you - very lucky to call you a friend (and a super human organiser! Still feeling on top of the world with my brand new inbox :))
Beautiful words Kate. So glad you were able to help and a fantastic analogy x
Thank you, Meg x
Kate, this is so tender and beautiful. I was on the other end of this situation as a child (4 years old, face down in the ocean, pulled from the water by my dad) and I had never thought about the effect that would have had on him until recently. As a family, we always joke about what a brat I was but have never really addressed the actuality of what nearly happened. I wrote about it recently and my gratitude for my dad is beyond words. As I am sure is that child's mother who you helped. Thank you for sharing this with such generosity. x
What a tender comment, Catherine, thank you for reading and for sharing this experience xx So glad you wrote into it - writing is such a tonic xx
Once had a close call with a niece in the ocean. When I told her about a little boy who had drowned at that beach she said ‘yeah but he didn’t die, did he?’ Terrible and funny all at once and still makes me catch my breath when I play out the what ifs.
The mouths of babes xx And yes the what ifs x thank you for reading and for sharing your own experience. A week on from writing this and the wake ups have stopped so it worked! x
thank you for this heart-stopping and educational read. i live by the Pacific NW Coast of the US, which is cold-watered and has fierce rip tides. folks look at Ocean and see it has friend, even during winter storm season! nope,it is to be respected. your wise respect for the waters you clearly love shines through this piece.
I love this comment about the ocean being respected. And what an image you have created about the place you live, thank you for sharing xx
thank you for this heart-stopping and educational read. i live by the Pacific NW Coast of the US, which is cold-watered and has fierce rip tides. folks look at Ocean and see it has friend, even during winter storm season! nope,it is to be respected. your wise respect for the waters you clearly love shines through this piece.
Thanks Kate
Goosebumps in my arms reading this story. So glad you both made it out safely. Congratulations on your fabulous book news.
Thank you, Kate x and thank you for your mention of Hummingbird in your own wonderful substack which I've just seen! Beautiful post x
Great read Kate and what a wild ride your summer camping trip turned out to be! I would love to read a poem called ‘How to Continue to Make Breakfast and Laugh with the Kids While the Whole World Goes to Shit"!!! Maybe you need to write it!
Ha! Maybe I will, Tracy! Thank you xxx
Oh man - this is a cracker. So many big moments my friend. Big love and also, excitement for the book this year xxxx
thank you, my friend xx
This gave me goosebumps.. of course for the idea of the what-if’s with kids and water and slips of attention… but mainly about how bloody important it is in life to have friends noticing when you quietly slip under, and also to have them be willing to spare their strength to protectively brace against the waves for you when you feel like you can’t. You’re a lifesaver in many more ways than just turning beach days into Baywatch shifts my darling.
Swords to the world, my darling xxxx
A beautiful read, my friend. Thank you for the delicious reminder that all we can sometimes do is ride the rip. And be there when we can to help those who are. Adore you.
Adore you right back xxx thank you my love, here's to the ride xxx
Gosh. Thank you for sharing these experiences. It’s sobering and humbling how saving a life can feel like a lifetime and a split second all at once. Glad (for those kids and their families) that you were there. What life lessons!! Great read and thanks for the recommendations. Loved There are Rivers in the Sky 🙌🏻
Thank you, Catrina xx Yes indeed to life lessons. And oh that book, have leant it out, but looking forward to a re-read. One of those books that deserves it!
I had a lump in my throat the whole read and then it burst out at "I’m in trouble here, I need a hand". Thank you for this beautiful email Kate!
Thank you, Jules xx I'm glad it resonated x
heartstopping read. wonderful to hear that both were happy endings. also delightful to see you in my inbox - huzzah for a new book from you this year!
thank you Eliza! Your excitement makes me excited (and only somewhat less nervous!) x