This brought tears to my eyes. Not just the story of Brad having your back, but the gem from your mom. I lost my mama in 2023. I often say I'm glad she didn't live to see this era--she was a nurse and lifelong loving caregiver; a vet and proud American whose mind would be boggled by this administration--but I miss her fiercely as I'm sure you miss your yours. Going to follow your lead and make some dinner for my family...and rewatch ep. 103. THANK YOU for sharing. Your words are a balm.
your essays always feel so bittersweet to me. i really want to hug your season 1 self and tell you that you’ve inspired so many girls and that you’re also the prettiest. as someone who’s struggling between my masters degree and my job the world really does feel like it’s ending.. but then i have your essays and the west wing so thank you for that🤍.
“Because like my mom said, sometimes the best you can do, sometimes all you can do, is just to keep things simple, and stay in the moment”
WOW. This just hit me so hard for me. It’s a hard time to be in the world right now and I suffer a lot from being overwhelmed and over complicated with it all. I’m going to write this on a sticky to remember it.
Your mom sounds like a brilliant woman. Thank you for sharing her words of wisdom for us 🤍
Janel, your vulnerability in this hard time is so touching. Thank you for trusting us with your grief. You are so loved and cared for. Thinking of you and your family. The story of Brad lending a voice to you is something so special, to know that someone just has your back is always special! Much love always 💜
Beautiful advice from your mom. Mine gave me this: "Nothing's ever perfect. And if you tell yourself you're not going to be happy until things are perfect, you're doomed to a life of unhappiness. There are some things you can work on, if you choose, but at the end of the day you have to embrace what you've been blessed with." We all have to navigate a little madness these days; you're helping.
This is so sweet and relatable. Waking up every morning with the crushing feeling of grief and impending doom makes it hard to parent, hard to manage the monotony of everyday life. Your mom was right. We have to stay in the moment. We aren’t promised a tomorrow, so the best we can do is do whatever we can with what we have and leave the rest to worry about another time.
P.S. It’s absolutely delightful to know that the stars of one’s favorite TV show are lovely humans. Thank you for being vulnerable with us. ❤️
"I now know through experience that I do best when I don’t overthink things, when I put my head down and get out of the way."
Sort of like that saying - don't let perfect be the enemy of good or done.
Love hearing about Brad taking you under his wing from the beginning.
"I could write a novel about Allison’s drop-dead genius or the introduction of Baby Charlie. I could go on about Mrs. Landingham or the majestic mountain that is John Spencer."
ugh i love all ur anecdotes and how brad advocated for you on set. your writing is so unsettling in the best way; i mean this with no offense intended at all. it just strikes a chord with me and makes the world seem smaller and calmer, hearing your vulnerability makes me realize people have been where i currently am and that there’s always a way through. sometimes, the way through involves keeping things simple and staying in the moment to avoid dread consuming you. sending you and all the readers lots of love and hope.
This looks like the Donna face where she covertly discloses, "Well... from the shards I've been able to overhear at the Danish cart..."
You have again energized my writing with simplicity, honesty and the soothing balm I noticed another commenter mention. That's actually what we call The West Wing when we watch one or two episodes as our evening concludes.
We just bought whole West Wing basket of joy. My wife says “I LOVE WEST WING”. We watch an episode almost every night…and will continue probably for the next four years…the issues just rhyme…thank you!😍
This brought tears to my eyes. Not just the story of Brad having your back, but the gem from your mom. I lost my mama in 2023. I often say I'm glad she didn't live to see this era--she was a nurse and lifelong loving caregiver; a vet and proud American whose mind would be boggled by this administration--but I miss her fiercely as I'm sure you miss your yours. Going to follow your lead and make some dinner for my family...and rewatch ep. 103. THANK YOU for sharing. Your words are a balm.
your essays always feel so bittersweet to me. i really want to hug your season 1 self and tell you that you’ve inspired so many girls and that you’re also the prettiest. as someone who’s struggling between my masters degree and my job the world really does feel like it’s ending.. but then i have your essays and the west wing so thank you for that🤍.
“Because like my mom said, sometimes the best you can do, sometimes all you can do, is just to keep things simple, and stay in the moment”
WOW. This just hit me so hard for me. It’s a hard time to be in the world right now and I suffer a lot from being overwhelmed and over complicated with it all. I’m going to write this on a sticky to remember it.
Your mom sounds like a brilliant woman. Thank you for sharing her words of wisdom for us 🤍
Love “florally acknowledged” as a turn of phrase. Guess I’ll be rewatching Proportional Response for surely the 50th time tonight
Janel, your vulnerability in this hard time is so touching. Thank you for trusting us with your grief. You are so loved and cared for. Thinking of you and your family. The story of Brad lending a voice to you is something so special, to know that someone just has your back is always special! Much love always 💜
Beautiful advice from your mom. Mine gave me this: "Nothing's ever perfect. And if you tell yourself you're not going to be happy until things are perfect, you're doomed to a life of unhappiness. There are some things you can work on, if you choose, but at the end of the day you have to embrace what you've been blessed with." We all have to navigate a little madness these days; you're helping.
That's so nice. My kids will remember this advice: "PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN NOW OR YOUR BRAIN WILL ROT." 🤣🤣Not as quotable I guess.
This is so beautiful, Janel. Your mother was so wise, so kind and so accepting-I think of her often and I am grateful to have known her.
Missy. ❤️
This is so sweet and relatable. Waking up every morning with the crushing feeling of grief and impending doom makes it hard to parent, hard to manage the monotony of everyday life. Your mom was right. We have to stay in the moment. We aren’t promised a tomorrow, so the best we can do is do whatever we can with what we have and leave the rest to worry about another time.
P.S. It’s absolutely delightful to know that the stars of one’s favorite TV show are lovely humans. Thank you for being vulnerable with us. ❤️
The West Wing is my go-to in times of trouble. I’ve been watching it a lot over these last few years. It just makes me feel better and gives me hope.
You are a very gifted writer, and now,one of my go-to ‘s. 💙
Thank you. I so needed this. Also, this is one of my favorites, and did you KNOW Charlie was going to be so much the heart of the show? I love it.
These always make my day so much brighter. Thank you for sharing them with us!
"I now know through experience that I do best when I don’t overthink things, when I put my head down and get out of the way."
Sort of like that saying - don't let perfect be the enemy of good or done.
Love hearing about Brad taking you under his wing from the beginning.
"I could write a novel about Allison’s drop-dead genius or the introduction of Baby Charlie. I could go on about Mrs. Landingham or the majestic mountain that is John Spencer."
Would you, please?
ugh i love all ur anecdotes and how brad advocated for you on set. your writing is so unsettling in the best way; i mean this with no offense intended at all. it just strikes a chord with me and makes the world seem smaller and calmer, hearing your vulnerability makes me realize people have been where i currently am and that there’s always a way through. sometimes, the way through involves keeping things simple and staying in the moment to avoid dread consuming you. sending you and all the readers lots of love and hope.
This looks like the Donna face where she covertly discloses, "Well... from the shards I've been able to overhear at the Danish cart..."
You have again energized my writing with simplicity, honesty and the soothing balm I noticed another commenter mention. That's actually what we call The West Wing when we watch one or two episodes as our evening concludes.
Balm.
Bingo!
We just bought whole West Wing basket of joy. My wife says “I LOVE WEST WING”. We watch an episode almost every night…and will continue probably for the next four years…the issues just rhyme…thank you!😍
Also, favorite lasagna recipe? 👀