13 Comments

This is so insightful, Kelcey. It is such a challenge that the power of the artist is filled with and, and and, and also this and that and then more and more. It is the gift of the artist to connect those ands and make them into something that is a distinct way beautiful and inspirational.

Expand full comment

Arghh. Loved this post so much. So sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is such a hard experience and sometimes we feel like with all the suffering around there is no space for it. So sorry for your loss. You are completely right about reading other people’s experiences. Even if it is to remind us something we already know. Sending you love.

Expand full comment

I’m sorry for your loss, Kelcey. ❤️❤️

Expand full comment
Aug 26Liked by Kelcey Ervick

I'm sorry for your loss, Kelcey. I also had to put my 19 yr old cat down last November - the grief is real. This also resonates, because I've searched for other people's words or experiences every time I've gone through difficulties, and that's always helped me come to terms with the unavoidable slings we have to go through in life! It's a perspective that I think can be healing for both artist and audience. 💕

Expand full comment

Both the unfamiliarizing and familiarizing are so important. This is such good food for thought. Thank you.

Expand full comment

The start of this post really hit me, having gone through the same experience a year ago. It's been long enough now that my mind has processed it all, but seeing a similar experience written down by someone else brought it back. I read a lot of experiences of people who'd gone through that, before I did, as a mental preparation. I think it helped, like in a small way I'd already gone through it in my mind. And reading about others' experiences, those I'll never go through - even experiences of fictional people - makes me feel connected to the rest of the world in a way nothing else can. I'm very glad I can read, that I can absorb others' thoughts in such an efficient way. Including the thoughts in this post!

Expand full comment