29 Comments
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Jeff Feldman, MSW, LSW's avatar

Stay strong, Debra. 💛

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Debra King's avatar

Thanks so much Jeff 💛

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Lidia Karanfilovszka Zikic's avatar

I deeply felt your words Debra. I'm a carer to my husband, who was diagnosed with FND and CFS 5 years ago. I just wanted to reach out and say: I understand. You write beautifully. Thank you for sharing, and wishing you miraculous recoveries <3

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Debra King's avatar

Lidia, thank you so much for your kindness. Sending love to you and your husband as you walk this road together. 💛

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Rea de Miranda's avatar

Oh Debra! You touch my heart. I can't imagine your daily agony. Sending love and peace. 🤍🤍

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Debra King's avatar

Thank you Rea, sending you love and peace as well. 💛

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Saira Anwar's avatar

This is raw, honest, powerful, and stunning, my friend. I'm so proud of you, and I’m so glad you posted it. Every section held something that stayed with me long after I finished reading. The line “not a single heartbreak, but a thousand small goodbyes” hit so deeply. You’ve captured what so many of us carry but rarely say out loud.

I really felt the truth in “This Body, My Weather System” and “How I’m Still Here.” You didn’t try to romanticise anything, and that’s exactly what made it so powerful. The raw, unfiltered reality of what it means to keep going, even when everything feels hard.

And those final lines, “You are not the things you can no longer do. You are the one who keeps choosing to stay,” stopped me in my tracks. That’s the kind of reminder we all need sometimes.

Thank you for writing this. It’s more than a piece. It’s a permission slip to breathe, to rest, to feel, and still belong. I’m so glad I read this today. ❤️‍🩹✨

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Debra King's avatar

Saira, thank you so much for your beautiful comment. I’m so glad the piece found you. That final line… I think I needed it too. Grateful we’re here, feeling it all, together. ❤️‍🩹

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Saira Anwar's avatar

My pleasure, my friend. I’m so grateful we get to be here, feeling it all together. That line is going to stay with me for a long time. You’re doing something really special with your words, and I’m just so glad I get to witness it. ❤️‍🩹✨

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laura kimdin's avatar

I feel you in so many ways.

Reading this immediately reminded me of “46,” a poem I wrote as a birthday gift to myself.

Such a beautiful piece—so well written, honest, and deeply reflective. Truly lovely.

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Debra King's avatar

Laura, thank you so much for reading this piece and for your kind words. 💕 I just want to say, I love that you gifted yourself a poem, what a wonderful, tender act.

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Yvette Putter's avatar

This. 💙.

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Jennifer M. Maki's avatar

Yes we are indeed. Raw, precious powerful piece. ✨💜

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Debra King's avatar

Thanks Jennifer 💜

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Stephanie Marie's avatar

This brought tears to my eyes. I see what a bright spirit you are. Thank you for sharing your heart here.

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Debra King's avatar

Thank you so much Stephanie. Grateful we crossed paths here. 💛

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Chat with a creative's avatar

Trauma eats our energy. Such an honest poignant poem.

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Debra King's avatar

It really does. Thank you. 💕

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Amanda Osowski's avatar

This is beautiful and I related to so much of it. Thank you for writing so honestly.

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Debra King's avatar

Thank you so much Amanda. Writing it was hard, but knowing it resonated makes it feel worth it. I’m really glad it found you. ❤️

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Amanda Osowski's avatar

I’m really glad too, Debra ❤️

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Jenifer Walsh's avatar

Sending love. It's hard out here, but we're trying. Thank you for sharing. ❤️ I also learned even more from, When the Body Says No, by Dr. Gabor Matè. And for a different perspective, Knowing Ourselves by Joman Romero. Worth a look. ❤️😘

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Debra King's avatar

Oh yes. When the Body Says No changed so much for me. Gabor Maté’s work feels like someone finally putting language to the things I’ve felt for years. I love him! ❤️

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Sam DeCosmo's avatar

So powerful. I feel these words in my bones. Thank you.

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Debra King's avatar

Thank you Sam. Sending you love. ❤️

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Shashue Monrauch's avatar

This collection of readings made me, hit pause, pray, smile and send out a reaching hand for a hug. Seasons come and go and as each passes we learn and we grow. At some point later on, in time, some of it makes sense and the rest we still wonder why. Thank you for sharing. All beautifully felt.

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Debra King's avatar

Thank you for reading and for meeting my words with such heart.

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Priya | The Pretend Poet's avatar

The grief of chronic illness is so real. Thank for sharing, Deb.

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Emma-Jane Barlow's avatar

These poems touched my heart today 😥🩷✨ Especially this bit... And beneath all of it. A woman who's trying. Trying to keep showing up. To stay connected. To inspire, even when she’s running on empty. To heal trauma in a body that keeps breaking.

We truly don't know what others are carrying and I just wanted to say that I see you, I am you, a tired woman just trying, pushing forward and trying, despite everything heavy trying to weigh me down. Beautiful words 📝✨

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