26 Comments
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BettyJoyce Nash's avatar

Active, raw, visceral language goes for the gut—powerful

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In a Flash Editors's avatar

So powerful! ❤️

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Karen Flood's avatar

This is so beautiful—-Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece and congratulations to Patti Jo. I loved the way the beginning imagery unsettles us and we aren’t sure what bodily situation this is. Then it gets into more familiar beautifying territory so we have a mix of the extreme and the regular. I also love the tension between the thirst for and gratification from the attention of the audience on the one hand, and the sadness of the lack of recognition for her true self. Brava!

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In a Flash Editors's avatar

So wonderfully said, Karen! ❤️

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Patti-Jo Amerein's avatar

Thank you so much Karen! I appreciate you taking the time to read it and respond with such kind words. 🥰

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Ronit Plank's avatar

I'm so thrilled to read this, Patti Jo! I love this piece and the love In A Flash has for your work.

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Patti-Jo Amerein's avatar

Thank you Ronit! Your podcast, Let's Talk Memoir, introduced me to the Flash genre, and in turn, to In A Flash. Thank you for all the great content and resources you provide to the writing community. 🥰

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Nina B. Lichtenstein's avatar

Thank you for reading In a Flash, Ronit! We are so excited about the powerful personal essays we get to read and publish here.

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Lisa Baird's avatar

Fantastic essay!

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In a Flash Editors's avatar

It is 🤩 Thank you for reading!

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Patti-Jo Amerein's avatar

Thanks for reading Lisa!

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Dianne Moritz's avatar

Beautiful....heartbreaking due to the messages from childhood that many of us get: criticisms of our bodies, our looks, our behaviors, and much more.

If one is to be truly seen we must first gain inner strength and courage to be ourselves fully and learn numerous ways to combat bullies and haters who are bent on undermining our self-esteem.

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In a Flash Editors's avatar

Beautifully said, Dianne ❤️

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Dianne Moritz's avatar

Thank you for saying that. I had issues w/ my mother all my life.

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Patti-Jo Amerein's avatar

Thank you Dianne! It definitely takes courage to truly be ourselves. ❤️

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Karen Schauber's avatar

Love it!

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In a Flash Editors's avatar

Thank you Karen! It’s a stunner ❤️

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Patti-Jo Amerein's avatar

Thank you Karen! I'm so happy up liked it :)

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Kathleen Small's avatar

One of the most beautiful people, inside and out! I see you and I love you, my most stunning friend!

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In a Flash Editors's avatar

We love this! Thank you for reading and for your support of your friend 🤩

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Patti-Jo Amerein's avatar

Love you my friend! ❤️

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Kelly's avatar

So beautiful and telling. Feeling the feels of a similar pain, I admire you even more. You are a beautiful human that brings joy to those around you. If we all only knew.

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In a Flash Editors's avatar

Kelly, thank you so much for the beautiful words on this beautiful piece ❤️

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Patti-Jo Amerein's avatar

Kelly 🥰 Thank you for those beautiful words.

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Breeann Adam's avatar

Love this!

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Patti-Jo Amerein's avatar

Thank you for taking the time to read my piece. And I’m happy you liked it! 😊

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