We're talking New York Times Tiny Love Stories today. Of sorts. The rejected sorts. Dr. Amy shares one of her many rejected submissions and she and Lance share the variety of ways they each use writing to heal, cope, express, and document their lives and Long COVID journeys. There's also a mea culpa somewhere in there from Dr. Amy having something to do with silver linings and erectile dysfunction (I mean, come on! You want to listen now, right?!). And we sing the praises of the best little city north of Boston - Bangor, Maine. It's got all kinds of characteristics that work for a chronically ill, not-so-mobile couple like ourselves. And lovable humans to boot.

TINY LOVE STORY REJECTS

I’ve tried (many times) and failed (an equal number of times) to convince the New York Times that my ⁠Tiny Love Stories⁠ are fit to print. No matter. Wiser heads have prevailed at ⁠Nevertheless, Persisting⁠ and my stories are beginning to gain some traction! The editorial board here knows what’s up.

For those less obsessed with these stories than I, New York Times began its Tiny Love Stories series in 2018 as a miniature off-shoot of its regular ⁠Modern Love column⁠. The stories in the series, all 100 words or fewer, span first love, last words, unforgettable hugs, unforgiveable kisses, unbelievable adventures, unimaginable meals, and everything in between. These stories have kept me from sinking into the abyss of Long COVID, the pandemic, the election, the insurrection, the never-ending police brutality against black and brown people, the irony of uniquely cruel immigration policies designed by a nation of immigrants themselves, the madness of forcing parenthood on people not prepared for or interested in the job, … we all know I could go on.

Rather than circle the drain of despair, writing my own Tiny Love Stories has helped remind me of the goodness that surrounds me. It has provided me the gift of recalling the soak-up-this-moment-because-one-day-this-memory-will-save-me memories I’ve banked from 50+ years of living. Writing a Tiny Love Story is like giving yourself an insta boost of ⁠oxytocin⁠, no labor or delivery required. ...

Continues at ⁠https://amyblackstonephd.substack.com/p/tiny-love-story-rejects⁠