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John Rinaldo's avatar

I’m grateful for your inspiring writing, which has motivated me to compose this story. So thank you šŸ™ šŸ¤—āœŒļø

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V S Uma's avatar

Simply beautiful write-up. So soothing to read. I loved the analysis about the music and silence. Each one has a different opinion altogether. Isn’t it?

There are two sides to it. Music and silence. Sound and stillness. We need both. We are both.

Exactly this is want to conveyšŸ‘šŸ».

ā€œThere’s a sound that finds you when you stop looking.

It doesn’t try to fix you.

It just sits beside you until you remember who you are.ā€

This sentence makes so much sense, šŸ’ŖšŸ‘šŸ‘

A good read indeedšŸ˜„

Once again thanks for including my write-up JohnšŸ‘šŸ»šŸ˜„

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Pearl's avatar

This was such a thoughtful read!! Thank you for mentioning my piece, it means a lot, especially as a new member on substack! I really appreciated how you reflected on both music and silence without picking a side! Your writing has a quiet honesty to it that stayed with me. Grateful to be part of this :)

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John Rinaldo's avatar

You're very welcome… it all came together after reading your story. I shared a post, then V.S. Uma added her perspective, and I thought—there has to be a middle ground, a place where it all meets. I am happy you were pleased!

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V S Uma's avatar

True tat agree wtih you šŸ‘šŸ»

Grateful to part of this story šŸ™šŸ¾

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Cynthia Campbell's avatar

This is a beautifully written piece that captures something profound about the relationship between sound, silence, and healing. The way you weave together the personal story of Remi's illness with your reflections on music and silence creates a meditation that feels both intimate and universal.

What strikes me most is how you don't present music and silence as opposites, but as complementary forces. "We need both. We are both." That insight, along with the gentle wisdom you draw from watching Remi ("Dogs know how to be still. They don't chase noise. They wait. They stay."), gives the piece a grounded, authentic quality that resonates deeply.

Your writing has wonderful rhythm. The way you move from the immediate scene in your office to broader reflections on loss, healing, and ordinary moments where we find ourselves. The connection you make between Pearl's piece about stopping music and V S Uma's thoughts on comfort shows how writing can create conversation across different perspectives.

The ending is particularly powerful. That final note you wrote but didn't post, kept "only for the page." It suggests there are layers to healing and expression that don't always need sharing, which feels true and wise.

I'd love to follow your work. This piece shows a thoughtful voice that finds meaning in quiet moments and everyday experiences. Your ability to find the sacred in the ordinary (like that deer by the stream, or simply taking off your shoes) is the kind of perspective that makes writing feel necessary and healing.

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