45 Comments
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Ben Wakeman's avatar

What a gentle and inspiring story, you’ve written here, Hannah. You’ve managed to capture that rare moment when someone very successful takes the time to pass a small, ember to another, who is desperately seeking its warmth and purpose. I’m sure the prompter of this story will be delighted by your telling of it.

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Hannah Holm's avatar

Thank you, Ben! I sure hope so, it definitely was a delight to work with their prompt!

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Mark VanLaeys's avatar

Very well said Ben.

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Adam Nathan's avatar

"All of the sudden my heart is barefoot." And somehow the world is moss in those moments. Lovely, Hannah.

Somewhere I read that you only need one adult to believe in you as a child and you can be successful in life. (But you need at least one adult to believe in you.)

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Hannah Holm's avatar

Thank you so much 💚 that's an interesting thought about only needing one adult to believe in you as a child! I could absolutely see that being true. Makes me want to be extra sure my kids know how much I believe in them.

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Adam Nathan's avatar

There is a football team in the United States that only drafts and signs players that can point to one adult that believed in them during the period of their pre-adolescence.

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Hannah Holm's avatar

That's so interesting! Must mean they've seen a marked difference between players who do and don't have that.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Hannah! My gosh. Can I list for you the times I cried? When it was revealed who Nessie was, when the narrator asks where stories come from, when the author hands her the book and encouragement. And that fantastic final line. Just gorgeous.

Very glad this project has led me to your work.

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Hannah Holm's avatar

Now I'M crying! 💚 I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I loved writing it. This project has done all sorts of wonderful things already!

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

The narrator's voice is so sweet, perfect and vulnerable and wise. I love how she judges the children! "I’ve seen kindergarteners behave more grown up than this." made me smile. The kindness of the teacher and the author is very touching. And the reveal of who her "one friend" was, so powerful. To hold all that in a small, 9-year-old body. So much to love here.

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Hannah Holm's avatar

Thank you so much Julie! Truly, I can't say enough how much comments like this mean to me. I wish I knew who gave me this prompt, because I loved working with it and would like to tell them so!

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Mark VanLaeys's avatar

There seem to be very few age restrictions when it comes to wisdom or insight and Hannah made it so tangible.

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

Too true. Children may be the wisest of all, if only we would listen.

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Hannah Holm's avatar

💚💚💚

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Troy Putney's avatar

Oh, gosh. This is beautiful. I feel like it speaks to every scared kid in the heart of every writer. I love the revelation that the author is just a normal person with a little extra courage. Even as an adult I create the myth that writers are elite, special people. In some ways we are, but also in most ways we aren't. This was a great and inspiring read! Thank you!

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Hannah Holm's avatar

Thank you, Troy! The scared kid in the heart of this particular writer is alive and well, that's for sure haha so comments like yours really mean the world. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment 💚

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Troy Putney's avatar

In my heart too. We can have courage together!

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Hannah Holm's avatar

Absolutely!!

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Jo Candiano's avatar

What a gorgeous late line.

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Hannah Holm's avatar

Thank you so much!!

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Mark VanLaeys's avatar

So wonderful that you had a platform where you could - "put it all out there." You are a dang good writer. You've said what it takes to do it - out loud. You have a gift. Just keep sharing it as you can, and it will happen.

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Hannah Holm's avatar

Oh Mark, thank you so, so much. I can't tell you what such kind words and sincere encouragement mean to me 💚 Sometimes it feels like I'll never have the time, or energy, to really pour myself into writing and make something of it, complete something - anything! - and it would be so easy to just stop. Words like yours give me patience and confidence with it all. Thank you, thank you!

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Mark VanLaeys's avatar

You are very welcome, Hannah.

I have a vague idea of what you're going through have jointly raised two kids with my stay at home wife/ writer. I was typically working sixty hours per week and even when I had the time to write music, as you suggested, I didn't have the energy. I can't imagine having any of that if I was raising and home-schooling FIVE kids. Regarding writing, keep dipping your toes in when you can and soon enough, you'll find yourself swimming!

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Hannah Holm's avatar

It sounds like you have more than a vague idea! Our children are the best decision my husband and I ever made, though we certainly underestimated how challenging it can be to maintain energy levels sufficient to keep up with them! The youngest will be turning three next month, and already she runs off with her brothers to play for longer and longer amounts of time. I'm practicing squeezing in a few minutes here and there while they're off on their adventures. Little toe-dips 😊 I try to tell myself that these years while the children are small, I'm just amassing experience, insight, and perspective that hopefully I can channel into some decent stories later!

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Mark VanLaeys's avatar

We've seen the process you described in your last sentence played out so nicely in your recent writing. Savor and share - that's what I think it comes down to.

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Susie Mawhinney's avatar

I’m slowly reading my way through these stories... the quality is extraordinary, everywhere, but no other has touched me like this gentle tale... the world can be softened just a few words, like bare feet on moss - you found them Hannah - beautifully done!

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Hannah Holm's avatar

Thank you so much, Susie! That really means so much to me, and your comment came right when I needed a kind word 💚 I still have several left to read, too! Such a rich trove of stories.

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Dr. Levent Mollamustafaoğlu's avatar

Hannah, really moving story. The fact that it is about a life-changing event in the life of a potential author makes it much more appropriate for this community project. I liked the language matching the mindset of the narrator and the gentle delivery of the ending.

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Hannah Holm's avatar

Thank you so much! I loved that I was writing about a writer.

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Meg Oolders's avatar

The ending brought me to happy tears. The whole thing warmed my writer heart. Lovely, Hannah. 💜

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Hannah Holm's avatar

Oh, thank you so much! I really appreciate that 💚

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Lor's avatar

Oh my.

You brought me right along side you to the end of the story.

I’m standing barefoot in icy cold grass enjoying the chill, with a big smile.

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Hannah Holm's avatar

💚 I'm SO glad you're here!

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Dana Fitch's avatar

Great Job Hannah! Amazed that in so few words, you can get to know the characters and also what a great lesson! Keep up the great work!

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Hannah Holm's avatar

Thank you, Dana!!

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Chloe Hope's avatar

Oh, Hannah. You're so brilliant.

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Hannah Holm's avatar

💚💚💚 You've got me blushing again!

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Bertus's avatar

This is my favourite after reading ten or so....

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Hannah Holm's avatar

Oh gosh, I'm flattered beyond words! Thank you so much 💚

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Mark Connolly's avatar

Ahh, this made me happy inside.

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Hannah Holm's avatar

I'm so happy to hear that!

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just mud by Ron's avatar

Hannah, that was soul touching.

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Hannah Holm's avatar

Your opinion means a lot to me, thank you so much 💚

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mahesh pherwani's avatar

Hannahnahnahnahnah.. She is Holm 🌻🫂Happy New Year 🌹🧘🏻‍♀️🌌

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Hannah Holm's avatar

😄 Happy New Year to you, too!

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