My mother passed away a week before Christmas back in 2012 after having a massive hemorrhagic stroke. My sisters and I clustered around her for the three days it took for her to find her way "on." We weren't sure she could hear us, but we talked to her endlessly anyway.
The thing is, my mother famously hid her abiding disdain for the holidays until we were well into adulthood, confessing when she was 80 that she always responded to Xmas greetings in her head with, "Merry Fucking Christmas to you, too." After that, we always exchanged 'Merry Fucking Christmas!' with one another. It was our inside joke and it made us all feel better about the relentless pressure to be upbeat during the holidays. It was a gift.
So in her last holiday season, we gathered around her hospital bed and wished her a Merry Fucking Christmas one last time. It made us laugh and cry, which pretty much sums up the season. We've kept up the tradition since then.
So when I saw your email subject line, I was startled by its familiarity for a microsecond, as if my mother had popped into my inbox for a moment. Thank you for channeling her into one more Christmas for me.
First things first, I’d bloody miss your rants (and I’m sure most here will agree). They’re not just cathartic, but also giving us the strength to not give in to the fuckery of the world caused by other people’s hubris and insecurities. Secondly, Christmas is hard. Especially after a year like this when you feel you only have this time to recover from the last 12 months and recharge for the next (no pressure, hey?). Either way, hope you have a relaxing time off and thanks for all the rants!
Thank you for all of these newsletters and for being real. Indeed I’ve never felt more exhausted than I do these last few weeks but am also thankful for all that is around me and the hope ahead.
It's been a rough year, in one way or another, for just about everyone and I want to thank you for your weekly fuck fests as well as your funny, inspiring, sobering posts throughout the year on Twitter. I wish you and yours a restful holiday break and a better 2022. I realize the bar is set pretty low when it comes to the next year being better than the last couple of years, but please know the thought is genuine and I hope we are both smiling when you come around for the last newsletter a year from now.
Well, you remain, at year end, the best thing I found on Twitter this year. For some, this may not be a deep compliment—but Twitter is where I dwell when I need a moment, am enjoying myself, or I’m looking for inspiration.
Amber—thanks for another lovely, deep, and honest piece of yourself. You continue to show me (and the world) what try leadership is. Authentic, vulnerable and real. 12/10. 😉❤️🔥
Thank you for writing, as it ALWAYS makes me laugh :) I lost both parents and a brother in law (I have had since I was 2) this year so it is definitely a weird not cool holiday.
My mother passed away a week before Christmas back in 2012 after having a massive hemorrhagic stroke. My sisters and I clustered around her for the three days it took for her to find her way "on." We weren't sure she could hear us, but we talked to her endlessly anyway.
The thing is, my mother famously hid her abiding disdain for the holidays until we were well into adulthood, confessing when she was 80 that she always responded to Xmas greetings in her head with, "Merry Fucking Christmas to you, too." After that, we always exchanged 'Merry Fucking Christmas!' with one another. It was our inside joke and it made us all feel better about the relentless pressure to be upbeat during the holidays. It was a gift.
So in her last holiday season, we gathered around her hospital bed and wished her a Merry Fucking Christmas one last time. It made us laugh and cry, which pretty much sums up the season. We've kept up the tradition since then.
So when I saw your email subject line, I was startled by its familiarity for a microsecond, as if my mother had popped into my inbox for a moment. Thank you for channeling her into one more Christmas for me.
A fantastic treat to read; you're a gifted writer - thanks for sharing your talents. Hang in there, Awesome Stranger. You matter.
First things first, I’d bloody miss your rants (and I’m sure most here will agree). They’re not just cathartic, but also giving us the strength to not give in to the fuckery of the world caused by other people’s hubris and insecurities. Secondly, Christmas is hard. Especially after a year like this when you feel you only have this time to recover from the last 12 months and recharge for the next (no pressure, hey?). Either way, hope you have a relaxing time off and thanks for all the rants!
Reading these has been such a cathartic pleasure. Thank you and happy holidays!
Thank you for all of these newsletters and for being real. Indeed I’ve never felt more exhausted than I do these last few weeks but am also thankful for all that is around me and the hope ahead.
Merry Holidays everyone
It's been a rough year, in one way or another, for just about everyone and I want to thank you for your weekly fuck fests as well as your funny, inspiring, sobering posts throughout the year on Twitter. I wish you and yours a restful holiday break and a better 2022. I realize the bar is set pretty low when it comes to the next year being better than the last couple of years, but please know the thought is genuine and I hope we are both smiling when you come around for the last newsletter a year from now.
Oh my dear, you always say the stuff out loud that has been rattling around in my head (and heart.) Thank you. Merry Fucking Christmas, honey. Xo
Well, you remain, at year end, the best thing I found on Twitter this year. For some, this may not be a deep compliment—but Twitter is where I dwell when I need a moment, am enjoying myself, or I’m looking for inspiration.
Amber—thanks for another lovely, deep, and honest piece of yourself. You continue to show me (and the world) what try leadership is. Authentic, vulnerable and real. 12/10. 😉❤️🔥
Thank you for writing, as it ALWAYS makes me laugh :) I lost both parents and a brother in law (I have had since I was 2) this year so it is definitely a weird not cool holiday.
Always a joy to read these. So thankful for you! 🙏🏿🙏🏿
Thank you for writing!