Maura and Me: The Story So Far
Start here to begin exploring all of the chapters of my unpublished memoir, available to Healing Lab supporters, anytime.
A little while back, I began sharing pieces of this story here in this newsletter. Now, those pieces have been gathered and collected in a single place, for those who want to read it in sequence, or revisit chapters that might hold particular meaning. But first, WOW, I never imagined this story would find so many kind witnesses. Thank you for reading, for staying, for seeing. Every comment, every quiet read, every shared breath across the screen — I feel it. Thank you for being here. Your company means more than you know.
A dear friend and mentor said it best:
When it comes to books, we must write from scars, not open wounds.
That is where true meaning, beauty and wisdom lie.
Be patient with those wounds, my love. They will be scars one day soon.
She is right and she couldn’t be more correct in terms of memoir writing, especially about mental illness. But on many days, my mind has other plans, other beasts for me to tame and learn to live with right now. I wish I could say I was okay with this but I hate it. I hate it so very much. I am exhausted by these daily fights and nightly battles — these beasts I just want caged or slain on my behalf. But that is not my life. My life is learning to slay them myself. It’s learning to tame them until the ferocious tigers transform into peaceful kittens full of stories snoozling on my lap.
That’s why even though writing these chapters has, at times, been an enormous struggle, I wanted to offer them in gratitude. Thank you for walking this path with me. Your presence here makes the telling possible.
The ‘Maura & Me’ Complete Chapter Archive
More to come when the time is right. Until then, sending love, best girl snugs, and a dork dance,
K Speer
