Hello, I happened to find your page here on New Year’s Day (your note about driving to prison on New Year’s Eve). Wow, I appreciate your writing style and significant message.
A few years ago I was a volunteer at a nearby prison (Toastmasters club) until COVID came and the prison discontinued allowing volunteers to visit anymore. The good news is I was able to form relationships with three gentlemen, now released, with whom I continue friendships on the outside.
Jim, I am so happy to hear from you. Covid cut so many great programs and banned volunteers to this day. Must don't know the deep impact this has on our incarcerated. I am so thankful for your heart, that you were willing to be there and connect. Bless you! And thanks for being here.
Thank you Bridget. For sharing your story, your vulnerability and staying at it. I, too, failed my goal to reach 1000 subs by 2026. Whatever. We gained so much more. Keep writing and I’ll keep reading!!! ♥️💋
I keep coming back to your posts because of your incredible honesty and ability to self-reflect, not to mention your writing style is beautiful. You are real...I can feel you all the way here on the East Coast of Canada. Thank you for sharing your story.
Gosh, I found this comment this morning when I really needed it. Thank you for this encouragement, for reading my little pieces. This meant more than you could know.
One of my goals for 2026 is to collaborate with you! I know our journeys are different but we share a love for our young adults with mental health issues and a passion to advocate and write. Way to go on getting to your subscriber goal and more importantly, sharing yourself boldly and authentically with the world!
Can't wait to see what comes next for you. Your posts resonate with so many of us moms out here. Happy New Year, Bridget! If you're ever in the Raleigh-Durham, NC area, let's meet!
As you know, slowly emerging from my early winter hidey-hole... and to this?! Oof. What an honor, as if connecting with you (so meaningfully, magically) wasn't enough. MORE THAN. I couldn't be more touched tho, not by the mention of our friendship, but by what you've built for yourself over this last year. We've gained so much, your readers, but the real gift ((I think) is in what you've given to YOU. It's just extraordinary. *You're* just extraordinary.
Congratulations on the 497 subscriber failure. You have done very well. I have recently made 153 just from commentary. I will have to learn to write sagas, or at least an essay or two. 😂
I agree, Substack is community. One of the best. There is a very real sense of belonging, at least I find it so. The ability to help or be helped, to feel a part of community more than the physical one, as sad as it sounds can assist in dealing with those grand canyons. Amazing how common they can be…
As for those that believe ‘don’t commit crimes and you won’t go to jail/gaol’, they need to realise that you don’t have to commit one and can still end up there, surprisingly commonly.
It may assist you and/or your son when released. It would not be authoritative but may be persuasive. Certainly some material to think about and discuss with relevant persons there. If your location has equivalent information, I would be interested to look at it.
I'm so glad to have 'met" you here and I'm thankful for your input! Thank you for this link, I'll check it out. All my best to you as the year turns over. Thank you so much for being here.
Write a book please, I know me and my 3 girlfriends will buy
That's three endorsements worth all the work. 🖤
4 and many more…
Hello, I happened to find your page here on New Year’s Day (your note about driving to prison on New Year’s Eve). Wow, I appreciate your writing style and significant message.
A few years ago I was a volunteer at a nearby prison (Toastmasters club) until COVID came and the prison discontinued allowing volunteers to visit anymore. The good news is I was able to form relationships with three gentlemen, now released, with whom I continue friendships on the outside.
I look forward to reading more of your writings
Jim, I am so happy to hear from you. Covid cut so many great programs and banned volunteers to this day. Must don't know the deep impact this has on our incarcerated. I am so thankful for your heart, that you were willing to be there and connect. Bless you! And thanks for being here.
Here’s a story I was honored to tell about my volunteer prison experience last year as part of the Iowa Storytellers Project.
https://open.substack.com/pub/newground/p/finding-community-in-an-unexpected
I guess you could say my eyes were opened in many ways. Thank you.
Beautiful piece. You made my whole morning.
Thank you Bridget. For sharing your story, your vulnerability and staying at it. I, too, failed my goal to reach 1000 subs by 2026. Whatever. We gained so much more. Keep writing and I’ll keep reading!!! ♥️💋
Sharing this space with you is an honor. You're worth 10,000 and someday that'll be a blip for you! 😘
Your lips to god’s ears for the both of us!!!
Amen.
I keep coming back to your posts because of your incredible honesty and ability to self-reflect, not to mention your writing style is beautiful. You are real...I can feel you all the way here on the East Coast of Canada. Thank you for sharing your story.
Gosh, I found this comment this morning when I really needed it. Thank you for this encouragement, for reading my little pieces. This meant more than you could know.
You are such an inspiration to me. Your real nothing pretentious. Speak words of truth and I have grown because of your writings. Thank you Bridget
Thank you, Rita. This means the world to me.
I appreciate you and I am happy to look forward to much more of your writing. Thank you, Bridget.
This encouragement means more than you could know. To have someone looking forward to what you'll write next is such inspiration. Thank you!!
Well, you made me cry. In a good way. 🥹
You didn’t know it, but you were what got me through December. Thank you. ❤️
And when we meet in person - hopefully before the lunar new year - I would love to start planning that trip!
I. Can't. Wait! Together, we got through this month. Thank YOU! and see you soon. 😉
Thank you for showing up as your true and real self. You inspire me to do the same, my friend. Sending lots of love as you step into 2026.
Hey there! Sending that love right back to you. 🖤
One of my goals for 2026 is to collaborate with you! I know our journeys are different but we share a love for our young adults with mental health issues and a passion to advocate and write. Way to go on getting to your subscriber goal and more importantly, sharing yourself boldly and authentically with the world!
Really looking forward to this!
Can't wait to see what comes next for you. Your posts resonate with so many of us moms out here. Happy New Year, Bridget! If you're ever in the Raleigh-Durham, NC area, let's meet!
Oh, I would make a special trip just to meet you! Absolutely, and thanks for what you add to the world every day.
You do great work! Keep chugging!
I appreciate you so! And same to you. Your publication is gorgeous.
Thank you for being so real. You are an inspiration!
Thank you, Andrea. Your support has meant so much.
As you know, slowly emerging from my early winter hidey-hole... and to this?! Oof. What an honor, as if connecting with you (so meaningfully, magically) wasn't enough. MORE THAN. I couldn't be more touched tho, not by the mention of our friendship, but by what you've built for yourself over this last year. We've gained so much, your readers, but the real gift ((I think) is in what you've given to YOU. It's just extraordinary. *You're* just extraordinary.
Oh, friend. Welcome back because, selfishly, I need you in this space. All my love back to you.
Congratulations on the 497 subscriber failure. You have done very well. I have recently made 153 just from commentary. I will have to learn to write sagas, or at least an essay or two. 😂
I agree, Substack is community. One of the best. There is a very real sense of belonging, at least I find it so. The ability to help or be helped, to feel a part of community more than the physical one, as sad as it sounds can assist in dealing with those grand canyons. Amazing how common they can be…
As for those that believe ‘don’t commit crimes and you won’t go to jail/gaol’, they need to realise that you don’t have to commit one and can still end up there, surprisingly commonly.
I meant to send you this link earlier from our Human Rights Commission about prevention of discrimination in employment on the basis of a criminal record. It is called ‘On the record’ from 2012 (couldn’t insert a link on mobile) https://humanrights.gov.au/resource-hub/by-resource-type/publications/human-rights-record
It may assist you and/or your son when released. It would not be authoritative but may be persuasive. Certainly some material to think about and discuss with relevant persons there. If your location has equivalent information, I would be interested to look at it.
All the best for 2026.. we go onward and upward..
I'm so glad to have 'met" you here and I'm thankful for your input! Thank you for this link, I'll check it out. All my best to you as the year turns over. Thank you so much for being here.