Thursday Things #93
A snack, a song, a show + free books.
Welcome! Every other Thursday, I share a handful of things I'm loving, reading, watching, listening to or just discovered. In other words, what I'd text you about if I had your number or mention if we met up for coffee! I'm so glad you're here. :)
Hey, hi, hello. We’ve officially entered The Week Of All The Memories over here, and it’s safe to say there are an extra seventy-two or so layers added in this year.
(Heads up, we’re jumping right into the deep.)
The short summary of the week: On a Tuesday evening in 2010, June 29th to be exact, I had my first (of many to come) MRI. On Wednesday, I heard “you have a brain tumor.” On Friday, I met my neurosurgeon. Saturday-Monday I made phone calls, wrote letters just in case (I am who I am), and spent time with family. On Tuesday the 6th, I had brain surgery. Last summer, for the first time, I publicly shared the lingering “after effect” that I’ve struggled with every day since that July morning.
This week holds a lot—of feelings and memories, of gratitude and grief. Mentally and emotionally, in some ways my brain and body take me back to those places, as if I’m watching the week play out.
It’s extra tender this year, with layers of sorrow for a dear friend who, as of last week, intimately knows deep loss due to brain tumor. And it’s extra full of All The Feelings and Big Life Changes as I pack boxes alongside my roommate of six years. Next week I’ll stand by her side while she wears white and promises forever. (Will I cry during the Maid of Honor toast/speech/whathaveyou? I think we all know the answer is 100%.)
This week holds a lot—and it’s about to hold more. We’re doggy-paddling in the deep over here, but it’s Thursday and that means it’s time to pause and look around for Good Things in the midst. Even in the mountains of boxes, the grief of loss, the chaos of change, and the memories that return like clockwork. Even here, in the much-ness.
There’s good to be found. Maybe simple or small. Perhaps silly, and sometimes sacred. But it’s there, somewhere. That’s an actual promise (see: radaph below). So, I’m not sure what Made Up Title you’d give this week . . . but let’s look together.
Summer in a popsicle.
Just go ahead and stock your freezer, that’s all I’m saying.
I tried these on a whim last week when they were buy one, get one free. It took exactly one pop for me to become a loyal customer. Are the other flavors as good? I don’t know—but you better believe I intend to find out.
Jury Duty.
Have you watched this? Jury Duty is an 8 episode documentary-style comedy series that follows the inner workings of a trial in LA. Everyone knows that the entire thing is fake/planned except one jury member, Ronald Gladden. How will he react to all that happens along the way, how will he react to finding out everyone else is an actor, and how will the actors improv to Ronald along the way?
It’s such a unique and intriguing concept, and while there are cringe-worthy moments, each episode brought a laugh out loud moment. (Can we talk about Todd an his chair pants? I’m still not over it.) Also, I’m so impressed by how the actors had to hit the main points in the script and always stay in character, but roll with whatever Ronald said or did. The show is available on Amazon Prime and Freevee, and each episode is just under 30 minutes.
Radaph, radaph, radaph.
It’s been a few years since I learned the Hebrew for “follow” in Psalm 23. It changed how I read/hear the psalm—in the best of ways. It’s still meaningful and true, beautiful and kind, incredible and comforting. Except . . . it’s all of that, amplified.
If you or those you love are in a storm today, I hope this will be a pinprick of light or comfort.
Here’s the Promise: Goodness Will Chase You Down
An honest message at the top: I’ve gone back and forth on publishing this today. It went live at (in)courage last week while I was in Florida with family and was already set to publish here today/on …
I received a few comments/messages requesting a way to share the article on your social media feeds. Here’s a direct link to Instagram and to Facebook where you can click the easy ‘share’ button. (Thank you! It’s seriously a gift when you share with your people.)
New single: You Are With Me.
I shared Sandra McCracken’s version of this song (co-written with Leslie) in February, but the new single from Leslie stopped me in my tracks all over again. She’s releasing an EP and this is the first of five songs to drop (the next one releases tomorrow).
As luck would have it (wink), the lyrics reflect Psalm 23. 💛
Free books x 3 months.
Helloooooo what a gift. A good deal just got better so I’m spreading the word. Also? I’m gonna be honest and say that I really did have 14 no-credit-needed books on my Audible list when I wrote this in Thursday Things #90:
For whatever reason, I always thought the “choose from thousands of books” language meant you could use your credits on thousands of books. That’s true. BUT ALSO there’s a whole section of Audible that isn’t tied to credits whatsoever. As long as you have an active Audible account, they’re available for download any time—no credit required. What in the actual world?
Since then, I’ve listened to several and added—ahem—five more. It’s safe to assume that if I’m in the car running errands, at the sink doing dishes, or walking the trail, there’s an audiobook playing. Am I an Audible person now? Apparently. I don’t really care about the credits that much (1 credit = 1 book), but when you add in the crazy amount of no-credit-needed books available to anyone with an Audible account? I’m in. I’m so in.
Here’s what you need to know: The always-running promo for a one-month trial is available (here) but they temporarily brought back their ‘3 months free’ promo for Prime members (here’s the link* for that—look for the blue banner).
That means: You’ll receive 3 credits to use on any 3 audiobooks. Free. You can immediately cancel, set a reminder on your phone to cancel in 3 months, or stick with Audible. As long as you have an account, you also have access to legitimately thousands of books that don’t require credits. AKA you too can start making your way through 14 books that aren’t at your local library. And then you can add in 5 more.
At the very least, it’s 3 audiobooks. A no brainer, right?! But if you make your way through those and have time left on your free trial, I’m just saying it might be worth checking out the no credit section. ;)
P.S. If you already have an Audible account, use the Audible Support Chat to see if you can extend it by 3 months with the promo. That wasn’t an option for me (though I’ve heard it worked for some), but they kindly added an extra credit to my account.
A few weeks ago I turned on TBN & stumbled on a concert by Chris Tomlin. He played his song "Thank You Lord." I just love the words-especially the third & fourth verses. Here is a link to the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOgAmQvOUM0
Kaitlyn, I hope you are feeling better.
in November I had a second brain tumor (Meningioma) removed (the first one removed in 2006 grew back). I thank God that neither was cancerous and that I am doing pretty well. I have noticed this time though, in addition to the continuing tinnitus, that I get tired really easily. I’m not sure if that’s just due to age or the tumor😉. May God be with you and all who are dealing with brain tumors.