66 Comments

Ah, some readers find it hard to simply received what they are offered. I guess we’ve all been that reader somewhere along the line. Heal well, Will!

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Very true. Thanks, Katherine!

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Nov 11Liked by Will Dowd

Last month's newsletter was inspiring to say the least! I pray you are doing well and are doing ok!

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Appreciate your message, Robert. Health and happiness to you, as well.

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I’ll have you know that I spoke to the moon earlier, and she said that she will miss seeing you this go round, and that it won’t be a party without you, Will Dowd. You’re to get well soon and she will see you next time.

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Thank you for conversing with the Moon on my behalf. I'll do what she (and you) say!

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You are there. On the other side. I wish I could pull away every single thing that stands between you and your moon. For it is still your moon, Will. I won’t be going anywhere.

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Thank you, Beth. I appreciate your north star in this strange time.

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I’m asking the universe to protect you. Get well soon.

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I’ve traveled a bit and have always found two things fascinating: 1, that the sun looks different depending on where you are in the world (in Ecuador, I found it faraway and diffused; in Uganda, low, close and melty; in Colorado, crisp and piercing). And 2, how the moon always looks the same. That familiar ‘face’, same brightness, just slightly nearer at times but otherwise constant. I find it steadying company, reassuring light. Wishing you that kind of constant healing presence. From, another reader not going anywhere.

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Oh, this was so poetic. Thank you, Diana, for the beautiful message. Feeling incredibly lucky right now.

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I wish people weren’t so afraid of “god-talk.”

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Like so many other subjects, I think we could have interesting conversations if we keep open minds and open hearts.

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very much agree :)

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yes, especially since it’s often just as julia cameron says, people seeking Good Orderly Direction.

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Nov 11Liked by Will Dowd

Will, your honesty breaks my heart open. And if you need anything, we are in Winthrop. Please let us know. We are right here.

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Thank you, Rachael!

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I love each of your letters but the last one was probably my favorite. I used to also shriek at God talk but now I welcome it because it can be defined as we wish it - even as the moon 🌝

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I'm so glad this resonated. God talk --> Moon talk. Love it.

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Nov 11Liked by Will Dowd

"But God works in mysterious ways. (Oh no, there go more subscribers spinning into orbit!)" - LOL!

I wonder if Mrs Turpin's name is a heavy-handed use, as Wikitionary describes -- "Borrowed from Middle French turpitude, from Latin turpitūdō (“baseness, infamy”), from turpis (“foul, base”)."

Will, wishing you comfort and healing; hoping you'll be home and able to view December's FM without mirrors.

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Thanks so much, Daniel. I like your Turpin etymology. She has Dickens's touch for naming. I'm sure you're right. Thanks so much for the enlightenment and well-wishes.

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I think everyone else has said everything I wanted to, but far more eloquently. Thank you for being you, and sharing your writing. I wish all the good things for you.

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Thank you. I'm grateful for your well-wishes. See you next full moon!

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Nov 11Liked by Will Dowd

Dear Will. I only found you this year, but I enjoy reading your letters to your 'lunatics'. I don't mind you talking about God. I pray that you will eventually come to faith in His Son, Jesus, who loved you so much that He died for you.

I enjoyed reading last month's post and I was surprised at the folks who felt they could no longer follow you. Where has reasonable debate disappeared to? I accept that everyone has different points of view, but we should all be able to say them without being 'cancelled'.

I pray for your comfort and peace, both physically and spiritually. God bless you, and long may you be able to marvel at His creation!

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Thank you, Corinne! I am so glad to have you as a LD reader and I truly appreciate your blessings. Please know I wish the same for you.

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I love you Will

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❤️

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Nov 11Liked by Will Dowd

Thanks for your letter. And thanks for the wonderful picture of child-Flannery, who I now see was fierce even then. I first read her stories in university 40 years ago and her spirit, just knowing she was here for a while, has been a kind of sustaining presence ever since. I hope you are well soon.

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Nov 11Liked by Will Dowd

I hope someone will bring you a copy of her letters - I can't think of anything better to be reading while recuperating .

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Yes, she was such a generous, bright, fascinating correspondent. Her personality is so strong and bright one does come away from her work feeling as though they have gained a companion. Thank you!

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I’m late to the show again–it seems I can’t keep to any calendar, even lunar–so I hope that by now you’ve left planet hospital feeling much better than you entered it. What a wonderful idea to seek out O’Connor at such a time. She is a dear favorite of mine as well, but I had never seen her use that figure of the “self shadow.” What an incredibly deep and rich idea. The self as a shroud that blocks the light, casting the shadow that darkens our vision. It’s astounding how her genius lands apparently effortlessly on what seems like a profound intersection of psychoanalytic and spiritual thinking, even of Eastern and Western thought. Thanks for sharing the kind of discovery, an enlightening nugget of brilliance, that stays with a reader a long time. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

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Thank you, Rob! Always happy to spread the gospel of Flannery. Her writing cuts deep. All the best to you.

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Nov 17Liked by Will Dowd

i don’t quite know how i found this substack of yours. probably just the saintly work of the moon connecting one lunatic to another. thank you for all your musings and illuminations, the light and the dark. <insert a picture of last night’s super moon coming through my kitchen window here> 🙏🌕✨

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The Moon works in mysterious ways! Happy to have you aboard, Silvi. Thanks for the beautiful <picture> 😆

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