Thanks for sharing this interview with Mary -- fascinating and well done. I have subscribed to her SS. As one whose spouse has also died, I can relate.
I look forward to getting acquainted. Here is a link to one of my essays that gives you an overview of some of my life changes and commitments. I share your affection for the Twin Cities. I taught at the U from 1990 - 2008 and loved the experience and the vibrancy of the cities, especially the classical music scene. A job offer I couldn't refuse took me to New England, but I still think of the Twin Cities very fondly. Here's the link: https://halgrotevant.substack.com/p/my-three-commitments
Matthew, thank you for the opportunity to share my story at Beyond the Bookshelf. It is a great honor. I’m looking forward to connecting with your readers in this wonderful community you’ve created.
Thanks for this excellent interview. My twin sister lost her husband during covid and some of your reflections remind me of things she has told me. She sold her home and downsized to a smaller one in a retirement community. She loves doing things with friends and going to church and reinvented her life similarly to how you have reinvented with your writing. I particularly admire how Sylvia Plath's poetry has been a great encouragement to you in your writing and how you still have much to write about. Thanks again.
Thank you, Larry, for your kind comments. My condolences to your sister for the loss of her husband. It is a difficult experience to navigate. I’m glad to hear that she’s seized some opportunities to grow. My best to both of you.
Matthew, this is another very fine, very well-prepared interview, and Mary's informative and perceptive responses to your insightful questions give us information that allows us to "know" something of her struggles and her joys. I always try to make reading time for Mary's posts because she writes so well. That Mary has found her voice and also the courage to use it are laudable. Hopefulness, humor, joy, understanding, and empathy abound in her work.
Thank you, Maureen. It was an honor to have this conversation with Matthew. His thoughtful questions helped me think deeply about the importance of joy, grief, and gratitude in my writing and in my life.
You are very welcome. Matthew is a wonderful interviewer. As I’ve said before about my own interviews, it also helps to have a wonderful and engaged interviewee who will go deep. You did that and more.
Such a treat to read. You draw your readers in, and often the messier our writing, the more others feel less alone. We did not grow up in a generation of airing our “dirty laundry dry” thus it’s a muscle that is flexing and growing. You are intentional and deeply caring in what you share, Mary. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this with my morning coffee. I recall my dad bleeding radiators. His little sauce pan, what I thought looked like dirty water being released, and then he said we were good to go for winter. Perhaps that is what writing is for us, a little or a lot of bleeding, a release, so that we are good to go. We can imagine. Thank you Matthew, for featuring Mary. She’s a keeper. 💜
Joanie, thank you. I’m grateful to Matthew for asking these deep questions in a way that made me think hard about my life experiences, my choices, and why I care so passionately for the written word. The analogy with bleeding the radiator is perfect. Sometimes there’s a little hissing sound as the water spits out at me. Sometimes it’s just a small trickle. Whatever it takes.💛
I am a single mom. Your words, “Grief opened me heart” are deeply felt and I know exactly what this feels like. I am not widowed but have experienced devastating loss through trauma. I hope to be able to write about it one day soon. I find Mary’s writing beautifully raw, soothing and heartfelt. 🩷
Thank you, Grace. I am sorry to hear of your painful experiences. But I’m honored that this interview touched you. Matthew brought generosity and respect.
I love Mary and this interview! What a lovely and heartwarming read for my afternoon. Thank you, Mary and Matthew. It's always a special treat to see two of my favourite people in one post together.
Tiffany, it’s always lovely to hear from another one of my favorite people. Matthew’s questions were thoughtful and respectful; he helped me explore the reasons why I’m driven to write, and the ways in which my life informs my work. Sending love.💛
What an insightful interview, Mary! Thank you for sharing it and your honest and thoughtful answers. Both Matthew's questions and your answers really touched me. It's been 14 years next month for me since Richard died, and I see my life as BC (before cancer) and AD (after death). It's like two different worlds linked by my presence in both. And in this unlooked-for solo journey, I've learned (not necessarily willingly always) and changed and grown into this new existence. I'm still the me I was before, just different, if that makes sense. Blessings to you as you continue on, whether or not you ever learn to bleed those radiators! (I think the idea is to remove the air in the system so the hot water circulates more efficiently.)
“Like two different worlds linked by my presence in both” is exactly right. It’s a strange and confusing thing, this idea of there being a throughline, but not one that makes sense on any given day. Being in a house I associate so closely with him intensifies every emotion. The knowledge that I haven’t maintained the place properly causes me real distress. Your kind words give me hope. Blessings to you as well.
Cindy, I just learned so much about you from your book! What a great story of strength and resilience. You have a big heart. And I’m looking at the pictures of Nour, thinking about what a sweetheart she is and hoping she finds a home. And yes, Mini is still very much alive.
She’s the Wonder Cat. Now that she has her own palatial suite (my daughter’s old room) and has adapted to it, I can keep the door open. She only leaves it to find me. And boy, I’d better be ready with the Fancy Feast.🐱
Just this morning I discovered Mary Roblyn's Substack, Writer Interrupted. I tripped over the cabled roots of the Grandparent's Tree, the sugar maple in Mary's yard. Thank you for this wonderful interview.
I'm so happy to have found Mary here. I love her writing and knowing that she is still honing her craft gives me hope that there is so much more in me. I envy her solitude. Life gets in the way of writing. It seems that there are a lot of us older women being seen and heard and it's nice to meet more women in my demographic. That's one of the things I love about Substack! Community! And meeting wonderfully talented people like Mary who aren't afraid to be vulnerable and share the good, the bad and the ugly with equal measure
Thanks for sharing this interview with Mary -- fascinating and well done. I have subscribed to her SS. As one whose spouse has also died, I can relate.
Thank you, Hal, and welcome! My condolences on the loss of your partner. It is a grief like no other. Looking forward to getting to know you.
I look forward to getting acquainted. Here is a link to one of my essays that gives you an overview of some of my life changes and commitments. I share your affection for the Twin Cities. I taught at the U from 1990 - 2008 and loved the experience and the vibrancy of the cities, especially the classical music scene. A job offer I couldn't refuse took me to New England, but I still think of the Twin Cities very fondly. Here's the link: https://halgrotevant.substack.com/p/my-three-commitments
Matthew, thank you for the opportunity to share my story at Beyond the Bookshelf. It is a great honor. I’m looking forward to connecting with your readers in this wonderful community you’ve created.
Thanks for this excellent interview. My twin sister lost her husband during covid and some of your reflections remind me of things she has told me. She sold her home and downsized to a smaller one in a retirement community. She loves doing things with friends and going to church and reinvented her life similarly to how you have reinvented with your writing. I particularly admire how Sylvia Plath's poetry has been a great encouragement to you in your writing and how you still have much to write about. Thanks again.
Thank you, Larry, for your kind comments. My condolences to your sister for the loss of her husband. It is a difficult experience to navigate. I’m glad to hear that she’s seized some opportunities to grow. My best to both of you.
Matthew, this is another very fine, very well-prepared interview, and Mary's informative and perceptive responses to your insightful questions give us information that allows us to "know" something of her struggles and her joys. I always try to make reading time for Mary's posts because she writes so well. That Mary has found her voice and also the courage to use it are laudable. Hopefulness, humor, joy, understanding, and empathy abound in her work.
Thank you, Maureen. It was an honor to have this conversation with Matthew. His thoughtful questions helped me think deeply about the importance of joy, grief, and gratitude in my writing and in my life.
You are very welcome. Matthew is a wonderful interviewer. As I’ve said before about my own interviews, it also helps to have a wonderful and engaged interviewee who will go deep. You did that and more.
Lovely interview, Mary, but I would not have expected anything else.
Thank you, Ann.❤️
Such a treat to read. You draw your readers in, and often the messier our writing, the more others feel less alone. We did not grow up in a generation of airing our “dirty laundry dry” thus it’s a muscle that is flexing and growing. You are intentional and deeply caring in what you share, Mary. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this with my morning coffee. I recall my dad bleeding radiators. His little sauce pan, what I thought looked like dirty water being released, and then he said we were good to go for winter. Perhaps that is what writing is for us, a little or a lot of bleeding, a release, so that we are good to go. We can imagine. Thank you Matthew, for featuring Mary. She’s a keeper. 💜
Joanie, thank you. I’m grateful to Matthew for asking these deep questions in a way that made me think hard about my life experiences, my choices, and why I care so passionately for the written word. The analogy with bleeding the radiator is perfect. Sometimes there’s a little hissing sound as the water spits out at me. Sometimes it’s just a small trickle. Whatever it takes.💛
I love Mary's writing and really enjoyed this interview - thank you!
Ramya, I am touched. It was a pleasure to have this conversation with Matthew, and an honor to share my thoughts.
I am a single mom. Your words, “Grief opened me heart” are deeply felt and I know exactly what this feels like. I am not widowed but have experienced devastating loss through trauma. I hope to be able to write about it one day soon. I find Mary’s writing beautifully raw, soothing and heartfelt. 🩷
Thank you, Grace. I am sorry to hear of your painful experiences. But I’m honored that this interview touched you. Matthew brought generosity and respect.
I love Mary and this interview! What a lovely and heartwarming read for my afternoon. Thank you, Mary and Matthew. It's always a special treat to see two of my favourite people in one post together.
Tiffany, it’s always lovely to hear from another one of my favorite people. Matthew’s questions were thoughtful and respectful; he helped me explore the reasons why I’m driven to write, and the ways in which my life informs my work. Sending love.💛
What an insightful interview, Mary! Thank you for sharing it and your honest and thoughtful answers. Both Matthew's questions and your answers really touched me. It's been 14 years next month for me since Richard died, and I see my life as BC (before cancer) and AD (after death). It's like two different worlds linked by my presence in both. And in this unlooked-for solo journey, I've learned (not necessarily willingly always) and changed and grown into this new existence. I'm still the me I was before, just different, if that makes sense. Blessings to you as you continue on, whether or not you ever learn to bleed those radiators! (I think the idea is to remove the air in the system so the hot water circulates more efficiently.)
“Like two different worlds linked by my presence in both” is exactly right. It’s a strange and confusing thing, this idea of there being a throughline, but not one that makes sense on any given day. Being in a house I associate so closely with him intensifies every emotion. The knowledge that I haven’t maintained the place properly causes me real distress. Your kind words give me hope. Blessings to you as well.
Matthew for gentle questions and Mary, for eloquent heartfelt words in reply, thank you for sharing.
Susan, it was a pleasure. It answering Matthew’s questions, I feel like I learned a lot about myself.❤️
It’s nice to gain a bit more insight into your makeup, Mary - I do enjoy your writing.
Thank you, Bill.
I enjoyed learning more about you, Mary. So many more questions to discuss over coffee at the cat cafe.
Cindy, I just learned so much about you from your book! What a great story of strength and resilience. You have a big heart. And I’m looking at the pictures of Nour, thinking about what a sweetheart she is and hoping she finds a home. And yes, Mini is still very much alive.
Mini is amazing!
She’s the Wonder Cat. Now that she has her own palatial suite (my daughter’s old room) and has adapted to it, I can keep the door open. She only leaves it to find me. And boy, I’d better be ready with the Fancy Feast.🐱
Just this morning I discovered Mary Roblyn's Substack, Writer Interrupted. I tripped over the cabled roots of the Grandparent's Tree, the sugar maple in Mary's yard. Thank you for this wonderful interview.
Thank you, Eileen! I’m honored by your kindness.
I'm so happy to have found Mary here. I love her writing and knowing that she is still honing her craft gives me hope that there is so much more in me. I envy her solitude. Life gets in the way of writing. It seems that there are a lot of us older women being seen and heard and it's nice to meet more women in my demographic. That's one of the things I love about Substack! Community! And meeting wonderfully talented people like Mary who aren't afraid to be vulnerable and share the good, the bad and the ugly with equal measure
Thank you, Rosemary! I’m so glad we found each other here.