13 Comments
User's avatar
Yvonne's avatar

It's with a broken heart that I write this reply. The love of my life passed away a week ago and I am devastated. He was my best friend, confidant and we love sharing so many things. Word of advice: Cherish those you love, tell them you love them, mend broken fences and don't wait because that day may never come. To live with regrets is a horrible way to live. Keep me in your thoughts and your prayers, dear readers. Thank you, Caroline, for such a beautiful piece.

Expand full comment
Caroline Cala Donofrio's avatar

Oh, Yvonne, I am so sorry for your loss. Words often fall short at times like these, but I am keeping you in my heart. Please take kind and gentle care of yourself. Sending you lots of love, peace, and comfort, this week and always.

Expand full comment
Lorraine's avatar

I am so sorry for your loss! Thank you for sharing and reaching out here. We’re thinking of you.

Expand full comment
mj's avatar

yvonne, so, so sorry to hear this. thinking of you.

Expand full comment
Jessica Lin's avatar

This piece struck home for me. As someone who has struggled with becoming close with others throughout her life, I really cherish the few friendships I have where there is mutual connection and we can be safe, vulnerable, authentic, and compassionate with one another. Friends where oftentimes, the interactions feel like I am at home.

“Toad sat and did nothing. Frog sat with him.”

I agree with you so much on how this is the mark of an excellent friendship - I am realizing that my most valued friendships are ones in which we can simply be in each others' company without needing to actively do something (and instead, just be).

"The thing is, it’s hard to be inside ourselves, day in and day out. Harder still to be the only ones to digest the cinema of our lives. How refreshing it feels to view the angles we can’t otherwise see. Our hidden slants. Our potential."

These are such beautiful words. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Joanne Aika Castillo's avatar

Thank you for writing this, Caroline! As someone who used to have a close-knit group of girlfriends, this resonates with me a lot. We have drifted apart in more ways than one, and as hard as it is to admit sometimes, I feel incredibly lost without them. You hit the nail right on the head— "It's quite something to be seen."

Expand full comment
Yvonne's avatar

Caroline, Lorraine and mj, thank you so much for your comforting words. It means the world to me.

Expand full comment
Angelique's avatar

Magnificent. xxx

Expand full comment
Cami's avatar

Thank you for this 💙

Expand full comment
Therese 'Tag' Goulet's avatar

Thank you for another lovely email Caroline.

Expand full comment
Susanna H's avatar

I adore Frog & Toad ❤️

Expand full comment
Jackie's avatar

Your writing always, I mean always, strikes the right cords. This was so apropos as my dear friend visited me and we walked and talked Christmas markets for three days. It was the catalyst for in-depth conversations and ‘catching up’. Bravo and thanks for sharing. Brillant.

Expand full comment
Wendy's avatar

Beautifully written, as always. Thanks, I guess, ;) for bringing me to tears yet again.

Expand full comment