#MDFH
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June 15, 2025 at 9:28 PM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #31, 32, 33. (January 26, 27, 28)

Communication, survival and losing a friend.

Sorry for the lack of alt text. I’m not doing great right now.

Stay kind out there.
January 29, 2025 at 2:07 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #31 - Communication, dyslexia, neurodivergence and assuming the best of others.

Stay kind out there. Be brave.

Transcription in alt text.
25 January 2025 My dearest fellow humans, As a neurodivergent person, I often really struggle with communication with other humans. There’s so many things to keep track of facial expressions, (which I can’t read well if at all)), tone (ambiguous), body language (usually reliable, but things like chronic pain or fatigue can send mixed messages ) plus, context, formality, familiarity with the other persons - and don’t get me started on lying or passive aggression. I often feel like I’m the only person at a silent disco who didn’t get headphones, or like I’m trying to dance, but I don’t know the steps and can’t hear the music. I have to rely on things most people don’t even think about or don’t even notice, at least not consciously. It’s no surprise that I communicate more effectively (and more often), in text - but even that can be a challenge. I struggled enormously trying to learn how to read and write. I didn’t find out until years later in my 30s that I showed classical signs of dyslexia. If my mum hadn’t taken the time to figure out how my brain worked, chances are I would’ve never achieved literacy. So, all that said, I have to assume the best of others because otherwise I have to be paranoid all the time and I hate that. It’s hard to see the good in people if you’ve been hurt. I hope we’ll try anyway. Some folks just need to be given a chance to be kind. Be brave. -R (This alt text was transcribed by voice, apologies for any errors.)
January 25, 2025 at 9:48 PM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #30 - Finding allies and kindness in the most unlikely of places.

Stay kind out there. Be brave.

Transcription in alt text.
24 January 2025, 4/1384 My dearest fellow humans. Today I will simply quote the Right Reverend Marianne Edgar Budde; “Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn once astutely observed that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, not between classes, nor between political parties, but through - right through - every human heart - through all human hearts. And the more we realise this, the more room we have within ourselves for humility and openness to one another across our differences. Because in fact, we are more like one another than we realise. And, we need each other.” The bishop then went on to state an impassioned plea for mercy for marginalised individuals and communities. I am not a religious person, and I will be the first to openly criticise the cruelty and hypocrisy of many “Christian” institutions. However, the courage and kindness of Bishop Budde should stand as a reminder that there are decent humans planted in the most unlikely of places. Stay kind, be brave. -R
January 25, 2025 at 2:58 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #29 - 23 January 2025

Go to therapy. Talk to your friends. Especially the ones that seem like they’re fine.

Stay kind out there. Be brave.

Transcription in alt text.
23 January 2025 My dearest fellow humans. You know things might be a bit grim when you talk to your therapist about the current state of everything and they just sigh, nod and quietly say, “…Yeah.” To no one’s shock, I’m sure, I’ve been in and out of therapy for almost ten years. To quote Bruce Cockburn, “I have a head full of horrors and a heart full of night / at home in the darkness but hungry for dawn.” (Loosely.) Some years, the brain weasels are largely well behaved, but mostly they’re anything from a nuisance to an outright impediment. I think everyone should go see a therapist at some point in their lives. I liken it to having a brain mechanic - someone who knows the mechanisms of the human mind and can help explain them. It doesn’t mean you’re broken or helpless, rather the contrary. Finding someone who’s a good fit takes time, but having a sanity check now and then can be helpful. Anyway. Most of the time with these letters I’m not really sure what I’ll write until I’m doing the writing. Today, try to reach out to a friend, see how they’re doing, especially those friends who seem, “fine.” I don’t think anyone is right now. Stay kind, be brave. -R
January 24, 2025 at 1:21 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #28 - Juggling.

Stay kind out there and be brave.

Transcription in alt text.
22 January 2025, 2/1,384 My dearest fellow humans, I don’t have anything specific to say today, so I’ll just share a memory that came to me while I was painting today. When I was in middle school and high school, I spent my summers at music clinics. More often than not I was alone and didn’t know anyone. One year at LSU’s band clinic, I decided I was going to learn to juggle. So, during breaks in rehearsals, I’d get out my juggling cubes, stand against a wall and… drop stuff. A lot. Eventually though, I learned to juggle 2 and 3 cubes one and two handed. It took me about two weeks to get the hang of it. These days it’s one of my favourite silly party tricks. Nothing serious or heavy today, just a small memory (and yes, I can still juggle. So can my dad!) Stay safe out there, be kind and be brave. -R
January 23, 2025 at 2:38 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #27 - Take one thing and make it a little better.

Stay kind out there. Be brave.

Transcription in alt text.
21 January 2025. 1/1,384 My dearest fellow humans, There are 1,384 days until the next election. A little less than four years. I will be counting every single one. It’s hard not to feel like a prisoner (metaphorical) in my own country. Other than voting, the average citizen doesn’t have much power over the government. It’s easy to feel hopeless, to feel despair and fear. These emotions are valid, and while it’s important to process them, it’s even more vital to not let these emotions steer our lives. They want us afraid and uncertain. No one makes good decisions when they’re scared. Feel your feelings. Acknowledge them, but don’t let them use those feelings as a means to control you. Today, I urge you to find one thing - large or small, it doesn’t matter - and make it better. Even if it’s just doing your laundry, making your bed, or fixing a toy. If you have the energy, make something - art, a single paragraph , or knitting a part of a sock or scarf. For yourself is fine, for someone else is good too. Using productive effort to mask your heart isn’t helpful, so be sure to check in with yourself. Sometimes rest is the best remedy. Stay kind. Be brave. -R
January 22, 2025 at 2:23 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #26 - Let us make liars and fools of them.

Fuck fascism. Fuck Trump. Fuck every corrupt, cowardly piece of shit who would shove us back into the dark. I refuse.

Stay kind out there.

Transcription in alt text.
20th January, 2026 My dearest fellow humans, Today is a dark day in American history. In the years to come, I hope we look back on these days with the shame and resolve never to repeat them. The blatant corruption and outright evil we now face promises to destroy us and everything we have fought so hard to build. Let us make liars and fools of them. Now more than ever, we must put aside our differences and unify against fascism and hatred. Tolerance and acceptance are mercies granted to those ideas and beliefs which are reasonable and kind. Tolerance of that which is intolerable is worse than inaction. Do not be silent in these times. Protect those who cannot protect themselves, and keep yourselves safe too. I do not know what exact shape these next years will take, but the outlines look terribly like ones we have seen and fought before, so *fight them.* We are not alone, and together we will survive this. Keep creating, keep making. Tell stories. Write new ones. We have not come this far to be shoved back into closets or to be denied our truths. You are loved. You deserve to be here. *Live to spite them,* and I will be here too. Be brave. Be kind. Stay safe. -R
January 21, 2025 at 2:00 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #25 - 3rd January 2025

This letter is about doing it scared.

Alt text has transcription.

Stay kind out there.
3rd January 2025, My dearest fellow humans, Today I went out to an art show that I had some work in, and the whole time I was so anxious I could barely think. The venue was loud, full of people I didn’t know, and a long drive away from my cozy house. Truthfully, I almost didn’t go, I was sorely tempted not to. I was scared, but I did it scared, anyway. I don’t know that I feel anything but latent anxiety about the whole affair, but I went, and I suppose that’s a sort of progress. Today, I wish you the bravery you need, but if it doesn’t find its way to you, I hope you do it (whatever “it” is) anyway. A short letter today. I’m pretty worn out. Stay kind out there. -R
January 4, 2025 at 7:40 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #25 - 2nd January 2025

This letter to humanity is about repairing the old. The bones are still good.

Transcription in alt text. No vocal recording today.

Stay kind out there.
2 January 2025, My dearest fellow humans, Personally, I’ve never understood the whole, “New Year, New Me,” thing. Maybe I’m being too literal but the start of a new year is just one more day with different numbers attached to it. What’s so wrong with the old is? I get that we should be striving to be the best versions of ourselves, but that sort of change isn’t instantaneous. It doesn’t happen overnight or even over the course of weeks or months. Building ourselves into the people we want to become is a daily choice. It is also sometimes the work of many years. I’ve said this before, but progress isn’t linear. It shouldn’t have to be, either. Inventing a “new you,” for the New Year feels unproductive, at best. We are, for better and or worse, the culmination of everything we’ve experienced and done. Ripping out the foundations of who we are prevents us from building on solid ground. It can be hard to see the good when’s few things need work. For most of us, I think the bones are better than we give them credit for. So, instead of “new year, new you,” let’s repair what’s here. The old things are still good. Stay kind out there. <3 -R
January 3, 2025 at 4:52 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #24, 1 January, 2025

Happy New Year. You are here to be enchanted.

Alt text has a transcription.

Stay kind out there.
My dearest fellow humans, It’s been a minute, hasn’t it? I’m sorry about that. Between preparing for this upcoming archer, Christmas, Christmas guests, putting together a style guide for stations and starships, and then getting some sort of mystery bug and cleaning the house… Well, I got a bit of overwhelmed by everything. My bright is hope there is this that all of the love and kindness that you put into the world comes to return to you. I hope that you learn to love and care for yourselves as much as you do for the people around you. As we enter 2025, try to remember to do the things that bring you joy, it’s easy to get swept up in the rash of life, work and the mindset that we should always be productive. Creativity blossom’s best in place so I do hope you’ll remember to play too. Do things just because they’re silly, for the sake of whimsy and delight. I don’t know why we’re here, but I do know that “to be productive” isn’t it. In the words of one of my favourite songs, “You are here to be enchanted.” With all my heart, happy New Year. -R
January 2, 2025 at 12:28 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #23 - 14 December 2024.

This letter to humanity is about the spiral that is recovery.

Stay kind out there. Transcription in alt text.
Saturday, 15th December 2024 There is a quote from a Destiny 2 ship called “Refashioned Shapes,” and it is this: *Recovery is a spiral, not a circle. You may return to the same patterns, but you will break free.”* This was written in-universe by a character named Eris Morn, who can be defined above all else as a survivor. Despite this quote originating from a video game, it’s one that’s stuck with me since I first read it. Sometimes it feels like we’re just retreading the same steps over and over. Whether that’s in recovery or burnout, it can be hard to see the progress we’ve made because our own experiences build on themselves. So, it might feel like some days are just spent rehashing the same bullshit, but from time to time out habits and coping g skills just need a bit of reinforcement. There are absolutely days in my life where an old wound or mistake flares to life again and I find myself thinking, “Godsdamnit, I thought I’d dealt with this.” We are, every day, changing little by little and though it’s cliche, little things can add up to big results over time. I’m not sure I’m explaining this idea well, but I hope you know what I mean. Keep on moving, friends. -R
December 15, 2024 at 2:58 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #21 + #22 - 13-14 December, 2024

These two letters to humanity are about movies and about learning to forgive ourselves.

Transcription in alt text. Stay kind out there.
Thursday, 12 December 2024 My dearest fellow humans, Do you have movies you’ve seen way too many times? I think I’ve seen Kiki’s delivery Service over 100 times - and I mean the version with Phil Hartman’s extra lines, the corny 90s English music and extra sound effects. This isn’t the “true” version of the movie,but it’s the one I prefer. When I finally got a proper subbed copy, I was a little surprised by how quiet it actually is. It’s a very different vibe. As a kid, I wore the magnetic strips off of our copy of Star Trek: the voyage home, as well as our Star Wars VHS box set, the BBC production of the lion the witch and the wardrobe, and a handful of ancient Danny Kaye movies. “The Court Jester” and “A Song Was Born,” are my favourites. I adore, “A Song Was Bkrn,” as it features quite a bit of music, but it also has Benny Goodman and a host of other jazz musicians having just a ridiculously fun time of playing together. I also share a birthday with Benny Goodman and Mel Blanc (the original voice of Bugs Bunny, among other characters.) My family can quote all of Twister, Galaxy Quest, The Princess Bride, and most all of Firefly. Please tell me about your oft-repeated movies. I’d love to know what they are. -R Friday, 13th December 2024 My dearest fellow humans, When I worked in emergency management / dispatch / disaster relief, I was told something important; You can do everything right and still lose people (or not succeed.) Captain Picard said as much in season 2, episode 21 of Star Trek: the next generation, though he phrased it as this; “It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness, it is life.” Taking responsibility for our actions this is an essential part of being human. Knowing how things we do affect others keeps us from acting and harmful ways, however unintentional. (Every action has an opposite and sometimes disproportional reaction, especially with regards to human behaviour.) That said, just as important as learning not to blame or guilt ourselves and things don’t go well. It is, I think easier to blame ourselves for some magic shortcomings and then to accept sometimes that we are power We cannot know the future and we cannot change the pass. All we can do is make the best and kindest decisions with the information we have. Sometimes that is enough, and sometimes it is not. I’ve been trying to forgive myself for the numerous missteps of my past. Not to excuse or erase them, but to stop letting the fear of making mistake steer my life and my work quite so much. It is a work in progress, like me. Be kind out there, -R
December 14, 2024 at 2:16 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #20 - 11th December 2024

This letter to humanity is about tea.

Stay kind out there.

Transcription in alt text.
11th December 2024, My dearest fellow humans, Another story from my time in Ireland - and a somewhat short one. I was never much of a tea person before Ireland. Hot chocolate was generally my hot drink of choice. However, when you go nearly anywhere that isn’t a place of business, someone is bound to offer you a cup of tea. Refusal isn’t necessarily an option, so I got used to drinking a whole lot of tea. There are a fair amount of tea varieties, but most often in boils (heh) down to either Lyon’s (okay), Tetley (meh but okay) PG Tips (no) or the gold (heh) standard of tea for me; Barry’s. These days I live in the southeast US, but it still gets cold enough in my drafty craftsman house that sometimes a cup of tea is just the thing I want. My cabinet is home to a vast variety of teas, but my every day go to is Barry’s. There are few finer simple pleasures in life than a hot, fresh cup of tea on a wet, chilly evening. I’m on the mend, which is nice. Stay kind out there. -R
December 12, 2024 at 3:21 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #19 - 10th December 2024

Still sick. Today’s letter to humanity is about playlists - specifically the ones I make for myself every year.

Stay kind out there. Transcription in alt text.
10th December 2024 My dearest fellow human, Every year for the past ten or so years, I’ve made myself a playlist, as if I were a D&D character. It’s generally something that takes me most of the year to assemble and I usually end up changing the songs many, many times before I end up settling on the final list. More recently, it’s been harder to choose which songs I want to keep. It’s not just about the individual songs either. It’s also whether or not the playlist is cohesive to itself, and whether or not the songs flow together well. It’s a whole process that helps me sift through my own feelings. Often, I feel as if my emotions are a separate entity; happening to someone else, and things I observe rather than experience. Music is one of the only ways I can access my own feelings. Which sounds… weird, when I put it like that I guess. I’m still sick, so today is a shorter letter. Be kind out there. -R
December 11, 2024 at 4:58 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #16 - 9 December 2024

This letter to humanity basically is me saying, “sometimes it’s okay to half-ass things.”

Stay kind out there - and stay healthy if you can.
9th December 2024 My dearest fellow humans, I have a cold. Be kind to each other. <3 -R
December 10, 2024 at 3:31 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #15 - 6-8 December, 2024

This letter to humanity is mostly just about music I like.

I’m sorry for the lack of transcription, I feel pretty bad. If someone wouldn’t mind transcribing it I’d be grateful.

Stay kind out there.
December 10, 2024 at 3:30 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #16 - 5th December 2024

This one is about productivity, and why having an unproductive day isn’t the end of the world.

Stay kind out there. Transcription in alt text.
Thursday, 5th December 2024 Today wasn’t terribly productive. I struggled with an illustration. (I was painting something both new and difficult, which we all know is a sure fire recipe for great success!) Photoshop also decided that it needed to lag, crash, and generally be a pain. I guess there was a full moon or the witching signs have appeared or something. I am trying to get out of the habit of berating myself when I have days like this. This also means that I’m trying to uncouple my self worth from the things I do and make. Productivity, after all, is not the pinnacle of human achievement or value. It’s hard to unlearn these patterns. In this particular instance, no one really taught me that I was only worthy, good, (or loved) because I make and do some interesting things. I don’t really know why I feel that way - just that the anxiety that comes from -not- being as productive as I want to be is actually something that often keeps me from being productive! Yeesh. Recursive anxiety. I say things like, “Sometimes you just need to let new information percolate,” but can’t seem to take my own advice, heh. Art is a journey, like so many other things. Today, I didn’t get very far, but that doesn’t mean I suck or that the whole journey is worthless. It just means I’ll try something different on Monday. -R
December 6, 2024 at 2:36 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #15 - Wednesday 4th, 2024.

This letter to humanity is just a small memory shared with a stranger during my time as a student in Ireland.

Stay kind out there. Transcription in alt text.
Wednesday, 4th December 2024 My dearest fellow humans, When I was studying graphic design in Dublin, Ireland, I walked almost everywhere. I lived in a tiny, single room flat (shared) and if I wanted to do anything, I had to hoof it. Laundry? Three or five blocks down. Groceries? Even farther away. It took me 30-45 minutes to walk to school every day. (Look, I’m short and my knees were already angry in my mid-20s.) One afternoon, after a particularly exhausting study / art session, I decided to go and get myself some snacks. I got to the corner store just fine, but on the way back it started to absolutely *pour.* Blue skies (okay, regular Ireland overcast) to torrential rain. I wrapped my shopping bag tightly around my snacks and trudged home, soaked through with my shoes squelching with every step. A young woman wearing a headscarf and carrying an umbrella caught my eye. She looked so concerned, so I just grinned, shrugged and laughed. What else could I do? I remember the young woman’s face - or more accurately, I remember that she gave me an enormous smile and laughed too, as if to say, “Well, what -can- you do?” It’s been close to ten years since that rainy day in Rathmines. I still remember her. I hope she’s doing well. -R
December 5, 2024 at 2:44 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #14 - 3rd December 2024

This letter to humanity is about knowing when to take a break - and is a follow-up of sorts to yesterday’s.

Stay kind out there. Transcription is in alt text.
Tuesday, 3rd December 2024 My dearest fellow humans, If you’re struggling with a creative project or any project really here’s what I’ve learned after many years of bashing my face against metaphorical walls. 1. Sleep on it (sometimes you need a break.) 2. Iterate, iterate, iterate. (Your first five ideas might not be your best ones.) 3. Sometimes you just have to ask for help. (Fresh eyes are the most perceptive.) 4. Rely on your community. (The Hecklers in your head thrive on isolation and lies. Your community will likely bonk you on the head with truth and context.) It’s no secret that I’m I’m ridiculously hard on myself and an absolute master of both overthinking and tearing apart my own work. I’m also stubborn. Often, when I get stuck, it’s because I’m spiralling in self-doubt and I’m being too pig-headed to just take a break. Hard work and consistency are good skills (yes, skills!) To cultivate but so our patience and working in intelligently. Today, I got more done in 6 hours than I used to be able to get done in 12. Why? I slept on my designs, I spent more time on iteration and I asked my community for help. Too many cooks can spoil the broth but understaffed (or empty) kitchen feeds no one. -R
December 4, 2024 at 2:38 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #13 - 2 December 2024

This letter to humanity is about imposter syndrome, and what an absolute pain in the ass it is.
Monday, 2nd December 2024 My dearest fellow humans, I am having one of those days where the gallery of jackasses in the back of my head is particularly loud. Like the hecklers from, “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” they jeer and mock me: “You’ll never be good enough art art!” “Who are you even trying to fool? Your work looks amateur and childish!” “You suck! Boooo!” “Dohohohohoho!” I *hate* those guys. At this point in my career I’ve worked on some amazing projects with an incredible variety of very skilled people. I’ve worked on major IPs and so many individual and indie projects I’ve lost count. I am either (at the very least) good at what I do - or I am a *spectacular* liar and yet for some reason, the peanut gallery of absolute assholes hardly ever shuts up. I am not alone in this, apparently. It’s called Imposter Syndrome and it’s (pardon my language) an utter fucking pain in the ass. Any day we fight through that noise and make something - even a line of code or a single sentence - is a small victory. The journey of making a thing isn’t all or nothing. Some days we crush mountains and some days we make it a mile and call it a day. Those guys are liars. They always will be, so go forth and kick ass. Or, you know, at least don’t let them win. -R
December 3, 2024 at 2:41 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #12 - 1 December 2024.

This letter to humanity is about being kind to your future self.

Alt text has a transcription.

Stay kind out there.
My dearest fellow humans, I’ve never really liked myself much but hear me out because this isn’t going where you think. I won’t depress you with a little of my perceived shortcomings. That isn’t the point of this letter. Today, I was watching Pixar’s Luca and cleaning off the set of frames I use for my dice moulds. I do not enjoy doing this (the cleaning I mean) but if I don’t do it the next time I go to make moulds I’ll still have to clean them and it’ll still be something I don’t enjoy. I realised I was doing my future self a favour. That led me to the thoughts, I wonder who that guy is and I wish I could meet him and that led me to the thought I wouldn’t even treat or talk to a stranger the way that I do myself. Even a stranger, huh? I’m always chasing that guy my future self I mean someone who is better and wiser than me. He’ll remember me for a while, but I’ll never get the chance to meet him. He’ll always be a stranger and if I can be kind of strangers well why can’t I be kind to him too? So, I cleaned my mould frames. I cleaned my dice desk and make sure that the guy that I’ll be tomorrow has a good place to work. I know he’s happier when our office isn’t a mess. Be kind to future you, okay? -R
December 1, 2024 at 10:21 PM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #11 - Saturday, 30th November, 2024.

This letter to humanity is about motorcycles and bravery, and… well, my lack of it, I suppose.

Stay kind out there.

(Transcription in alt text.)
Saturday, 30th November, 2024. My dearest fellow humans, So something you may not know about me is that I own a motorcycle. It’s nothing flashy or fast - in fact, I got the most boring bike I could possibly find. It’s a dark green Suzuki Maurader (2007.) It has a tiny single cylinder for an engine and a maximum top speed of about 70 mph; with a tailwind and going downhill. )(Being charitable.) You know what? It scares me. About a year and a half ago, I panicked while taking a turn a bit too fast and too wide. I committed a stupid mistake. I grabbed the front break. The bike stopped. I didn’t. The bike ended up on top of me in the middle of an intersection - thankfully I was only doing about 15-20mph and while scary, didn’t cause me any serious injury. Ever since that day, I’ve been skittish and reluctant to ride it. I’ve of course been on the back of my partner’s bike, which I’m fine with, but I don’t trust myself not to mess up again. What if I panic at a higher speed? What if I’m alone? My partner was with me when I dropped my bike, but what if (next time) he isn’t? I keep meaning to renew my learner’s permit and get back to riding. I keep looking out the window and feeling a pang of guilt. Why own a motorcycle if I don’t ride it? I wish I were braver. I’ll try if you will. -R
December 1, 2024 at 2:40 AM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH #10 - Friday, November 29, 2024

This letter to humanity is about my dad, and my strong opinions about music as a very small child.

Transcription in alt text. Maybe I’ll start reading these out loud. Would that be helpful?

Stay kind out there.
Friday, 29 November 2024 My dearest fellow humans, When I was a very small child, I had very strong opinions about almost everything, but *especially* music. Sunday “school” was a point of particular contention because all the music was terrible. It was the same horrible songs every week, too. As an AuDHD smol, I considered this a great injustice visited in the other children and of course, I had to do something about it! So, I did what any sensible child would do in these circumstances. I got up on a chair and started singing, “GhostRiders in the Sky,” at the top of my tiny lungs. I was not about to let these poor prisoners be subjected to another second of, “Jesus Loves Me.” The other children had to be liberated from their plight! Yippie-kai-ay! Yeah, I got in trouble. The Sunday School teacher went and got my Dad. She was red-faced and fuming as she told him of my, “Spirit of Rebellion,” and all of my various other crimes. My Dad, bless him, did his best not to laugh, but had to impress upon me, “You can’t just sing Ghostriders in the Sky whenever you want.” I sadly repeated this mantra because well, I really did want to be good. Later on, my Dad would go on to quietly encourage me to pick my battles, but no matter what shenanigans I got into, I’ve never once doubted that he’s in my corner. Thanks, Dad. <3 -R
November 29, 2024 at 9:16 PM
runesael.bsky.social
#MDFH - #9 - 28 November, 2024

#CW: discussion of SI/MH.

This letter to humanity is specifically to my queer siblings. For some of us, holidays can be difficult. If you’re in a hard situation, my heart is with you and I hope you’re able to maintain your peace today.

Stay kind out there.
Thursday, 28 November, 2024 My dearest fellow humans, Here in America, it’s Thanksgiving. If you’re celebrating, I wish you a peaceful and happy holiday - hopefully filled with good food and good company. May your table be full and absent awkward topics, and free from any political arguments. Holidays are hard for many of us for a variety of reasons. Whether, like me, you are far from your family (chosen or blood,) or perhaps you’re forced to mask or hide your true self. Going home isn’t always a positive experience, so if you’re in a situation where you’re having to grit your teeth for the day, I just want you to know that I’m proud of you for being brave. I wish we didn’t have to pretend to be people we’re not. Having to lie about who we love or who we voted for can feel like such a betrayal of ourselves. Try to remember that survival itself is an act of resistance. Just making it to the next day is enough. Someday, we won’t have to hide or lie. I truly believe that; in part because I refuse to envision a future that throws us back into the dark, and in part because the alternative is too terrible to bear. So, if you are looking for a sign - and you know what I mean here - let this letter serve as one. (Next image.) For those of us who are queer, questioning or simply different, holidays can feel like a crushing weight rathe than a time of togetherness. I feel like I am going to say this more and more as time goes on, but it’s vital that we all remember: you are not alone. This is not all there is, and the only constant in our world is change. You may not have found your family yet, but you will. There are so many joys that I would have missed if I’d check out in my teens. Learning to knit, seeing Ghibli films, watching The Expanse with my best friend, even the euphoric exhaustion of finally defeating a day one raid. There are so many people I never would have met, and so many stories I never would have read or told. I would never have heard, “Deep Stone Lullaby,” or played rhythm games with my sister. The list of things you haven’t experienced yet is vast and outweighs the despair or a single bad day. Not only that, but daring to hope for a better tomorrow is the most courageous thing a person can do. If you are struggling today, I see you. I see how hard you’re trying because I’ve been there too. We need your spark. Stay. - The Trans Lifeline (877-565-8860) - Crisis Text Line (“Hello” to 741741) - LGBT National Hotline - 888-843-4564 Wishing you love and peace, -R
November 29, 2024 at 4:32 AM