I think what I admire most about you is your evident zest for life, your fearlessness to sieze each day by loving fully and tirelessly, no matter what. Many people will go on to live safe, uneventful lives and they’re usually the most bitter inside by the end of it—this will never be you.
I wish for you everything your heart desires, my friend. This was a beautiful piece, worthy of several rereads. Love you, Candy!
Abbey my love! You’ve lead the way here. Your vulnerability and strength is an example we all look up to. I am forever grateful to be on your team! And what a team we make! 🍒 💋 👯♀️
Cand this is beautiful 😭, all of it! But especially "the pumpkin spice faded from his lips as the stars faded from my eyes." 🤌 As someone who's watched you go through all the phases of this, it makes me so happy to see you not only shaking it off, but laying it all out on the table so perfectly vulnerably.
Candy, that's rough but exactly why you will get through this. You have overcome some rough and rocky terrain but damn, you are courageous for sharing. Peace 🙏
I hear you on that Candy. It's easy to turn away from those situations but far better to do it your way. Going right through it. And so far, l am liking all versions of you, especially the happy one. But all versions…Good evening. Hope your Mom is doing well.
Thanks for asking Mark - so sweet of you! All of Puerto Vallarta is in tears this week, we lost a local celebrity and a dear friend of mine Paco Ojeda. He had a delightful live daily show featuring local news, weather, happenings around town and formed a group of listeners called the cluster. Every day he would read aloud all the comments from the cluster. He was 61, and seemed fine, did a normal show on Tuesday and when he didn't broadcast Wednesday - he was found, suddenly passed away in bed. We are all sharing a moment of reflecting on mortality.
And while I am over sharing, I see lots of the same kindness in you as I did in my Mom. Y'all both exposed your children to culture and creativity. My Mom taught me all I know about being a gentle man. She will always be my hero!
What a lovely thing to say. Thank you. How tough to lose so many people in a year, my sympathies are with you. It is a great insight to say you are a better, stronger person. At 72, losing friends gets more frequent and I do appreciate life so much more now. Right now, my husband has written a musical called "Pop Goes the Musical", and it will be onstage in February at the mainstage of Act2PV he is directing and I am producing. We have been involved with live theater since we arrived in Vallarta 3 years ago and this will be our fifth but the first one by Auntie Pam's Productions. We are using music from Men Without Hats - such fun music - 80's - 90's synth pop - These guys are still writing and touring. We met with them last summer.
Mortality whew! I have unfortunately lost 4 members of my family over the years. It really sucks! However, it certainly has made me a better man. And certainly, it has made me stronger.
Oh my! May God rest his gentle soul. I love that his show was about community. Sorta like the old radio "trading posts". I am sorry for your loss. That's a shocking loss. Peace Pamala.
Candy — this piece is raw and poetic and pulsing with the kind of ache that so many of us carry quietly. The way you write about “minimums” and stolen Octobers — it’s devastating and gorgeous all at once.
Your final lines felt like a balm: “Love isn’t over for you, even if it’s over with them.” Thank you for writing what so many of us haven’t found the words for yet. This was a gift — all of it.
Oh Anna, I adore you. This is such a beautiful comment. Thank you for reading and seeing me so clearly here. This particular ache is one I’ve struggled to articulate and I know I’m not alone in that. I’m so happy to be here with you. 🤎
Great writing. Really heartfelt and intimate in how you're letting the reader into those thoughts and heartbreak, but written beautifully and in a way that you actually feel the words.
Thank you for letting us see a bit of your heart. It breaks mine to see it hurt. To keep on walking, but to hurt.
Thank you Jay. You’re so sweet to me ❤️ I am a lucky girl here.
I think you’re wonderful, and I’ll have words with anyone who thinks otherwise. I hope you find one that sees that and knows that deeply.
Thank you. 🙏🏻 sometimes even two good people can’t make it work. I know the universe has something wonderful in store 💖
I think what I admire most about you is your evident zest for life, your fearlessness to sieze each day by loving fully and tirelessly, no matter what. Many people will go on to live safe, uneventful lives and they’re usually the most bitter inside by the end of it—this will never be you.
I wish for you everything your heart desires, my friend. This was a beautiful piece, worthy of several rereads. Love you, Candy!
I just love you so much, France.
Goddamnit I love you so much. And I am so proud of you for this. So fucking proud.
Candy girl, you are deserving of all the first morning thoughts. You should be the first thought, always.
And don’t be shy about this. This is breathtakingly beautiful, my love
Abbey my love! You’ve lead the way here. Your vulnerability and strength is an example we all look up to. I am forever grateful to be on your team! And what a team we make! 🍒 💋 👯♀️
You’re gonna have to stop making me cry at some point
Help
HELP
Thank you for reading 💛
Beautiful Candy
Thanks Aidan :)
💔😥 I love you, friend. 🐙🫂
I love you ❤️
Beautiful, Candy. Thank you for putting this up for free first 🫶🏻 it’s truly a gift
Thank you my girl! You’re the best, truly 💛
Cand this is beautiful 😭, all of it! But especially "the pumpkin spice faded from his lips as the stars faded from my eyes." 🤌 As someone who's watched you go through all the phases of this, it makes me so happy to see you not only shaking it off, but laying it all out on the table so perfectly vulnerably.
😩💔 I love you the most.
I still want to murder him every single day for the way he has hurt you.
I hope the word "murder" isn't flagged on here or something. 😆
Love you always. And Mand too. 😘
Thank you for being the kind of friend that tells me the truth even when it’s not what I want to hear. I’m sorry I don’t listen 😅 I love you ❤️
Love you always. 😘
Candy, that's rough but exactly why you will get through this. You have overcome some rough and rocky terrain but damn, you are courageous for sharing. Peace 🙏
Thank you Mark. I actively participated in every heart break. On the other side is such a happy version of me, so I’d do it again in a heartbeat ❤️
I hear you on that Candy. It's easy to turn away from those situations but far better to do it your way. Going right through it. And so far, l am liking all versions of you, especially the happy one. But all versions…Good evening. Hope your Mom is doing well.
Thank you Mark!! She is! I chatted with her for hours last night ❤️❤️
You and Ms. Pamala are a match made in heaven! So good to see.
Thanks for asking Mark - so sweet of you! All of Puerto Vallarta is in tears this week, we lost a local celebrity and a dear friend of mine Paco Ojeda. He had a delightful live daily show featuring local news, weather, happenings around town and formed a group of listeners called the cluster. Every day he would read aloud all the comments from the cluster. He was 61, and seemed fine, did a normal show on Tuesday and when he didn't broadcast Wednesday - he was found, suddenly passed away in bed. We are all sharing a moment of reflecting on mortality.
And while I am over sharing, I see lots of the same kindness in you as I did in my Mom. Y'all both exposed your children to culture and creativity. My Mom taught me all I know about being a gentle man. She will always be my hero!
What a lovely thing to say. Thank you. How tough to lose so many people in a year, my sympathies are with you. It is a great insight to say you are a better, stronger person. At 72, losing friends gets more frequent and I do appreciate life so much more now. Right now, my husband has written a musical called "Pop Goes the Musical", and it will be onstage in February at the mainstage of Act2PV he is directing and I am producing. We have been involved with live theater since we arrived in Vallarta 3 years ago and this will be our fifth but the first one by Auntie Pam's Productions. We are using music from Men Without Hats - such fun music - 80's - 90's synth pop - These guys are still writing and touring. We met with them last summer.
Mortality whew! I have unfortunately lost 4 members of my family over the years. It really sucks! However, it certainly has made me a better man. And certainly, it has made me stronger.
Oh my! May God rest his gentle soul. I love that his show was about community. Sorta like the old radio "trading posts". I am sorry for your loss. That's a shocking loss. Peace Pamala.
Thank you, Darling! Like a radio show but actually a live tv show on Youtube and Facebook Live.
A fun fact about me, I have never been on any social media. Only sub stack and I am really liking it because I meet people like you and your daughter.
Brought up some old hurt feels in my body and tears in my eyes. Thank you for sharing this. Beautifully and cathartically written.♥️♥️♥️
Thank you for reading Melanie. It feels good to say it out loud and know I’m not alone in these feelings. Always here for you too. ♥️
We probably all have a Fuck Face if we’ve ever been in the meltiest kind of love. 🫠
I feel lucky to have felt it. He was definitely my Mr. Big.
Nice, Candy.
☺️
Candy — this piece is raw and poetic and pulsing with the kind of ache that so many of us carry quietly. The way you write about “minimums” and stolen Octobers — it’s devastating and gorgeous all at once.
Your final lines felt like a balm: “Love isn’t over for you, even if it’s over with them.” Thank you for writing what so many of us haven’t found the words for yet. This was a gift — all of it.
Oh Anna, I adore you. This is such a beautiful comment. Thank you for reading and seeing me so clearly here. This particular ache is one I’ve struggled to articulate and I know I’m not alone in that. I’m so happy to be here with you. 🤎
This was absolutely fantastic.
Thank you so much Chris 💛
So you decided to make us all cry! ❤️❤️❤️
🥺
Honest and brave. I too once loved a FuckFace. I hope your heart is lighter as each day passes.
Katie! My girl. They multiply, the fuckfaces, when we love them.
Oh my god! This is really lovely ☺️ 😢 I hope you’re alright x
Actually Ben, I spoke to my mother yesterday and all she wanted to talk about was you.
Oh she did not 😂 😍
Yes and she said “Ben’s my boyfriend.” Verbatim.
😂😂 she wasn’t meant to tell people yet!
She has zero chill, Ben. I tried to warn you.
Just how I like ‘em 😆
Here she is again! Hanging out my dirty laundry!
🤣🤣🤣
Now Candys! This is only 90% true! Mommy still loves you.
lol!!
Great writing. Really heartfelt and intimate in how you're letting the reader into those thoughts and heartbreak, but written beautifully and in a way that you actually feel the words.
Thank you Gary. I love having you here, in the feels with me. ❤️