18 Comments
User's avatar
Maria Grace's avatar

This was magnificent. I loved the vivid imagery of Thamel and the story behind 'Cafe Long Time Ago.' The tension between the 'grain of salt' and falling 'head over feet' is such an epic depiction of young love. That song reminded me of my younger years, it was totally one of my favorites. The ending shift to the present day is heartbreaking but written with such grace. What an incredible piece and I am so honored that you shared it with me. I am also so sorry for your loss. Definitely plan to sub to follow more of your stories.

My Unapologetic Playlist's avatar

Maria Grace,

I’m so grateful to have you here. Thank you for your kind words 🥰

Francesca's avatar

love this!!

Eva Solen's avatar

Oh Penny, this was just so magically crafted by you… every paragraph.. a little masterpiece. I felt like I was there with you, and in the markets and the cafe, from when you stepped into his arms whee you had never been before to the gift of a song and lyrics ‘two grains and salt’ - then the understanding of the cost and the stakes and why they were so high at the end. So touching. So moving.. my little heart squeezed in response.

My Unapologetic Playlist's avatar

Eva, truly. Thank you. I know I’m in good company.

Abby (Kienle) Du Frane's avatar

This was excellent. I wanted to know so much more! The ending came too soon.

I love the play on stakes for yesterday us and today us. So real and so powerful. I’m so sorry for your loss, but inspired by your voice 🤍

My Unapologetic Playlist's avatar

Thank you for your kind words, Abby, and for shamelessly expressing the hunger for more that gets stirred up by moments in magical places like Kathmandu.

Monica A Leyva's avatar

I love how you blended the imagery with your thoughts. I felt like I was walking along side you.

My Unapologetic Playlist's avatar

Monica,

Thank you for walking along side me.

Kobi One's avatar

Ok didn't see the ending coming and was totally unprepared but that means you conveyed your own emotions very powerfully damn that got me

My Unapologetic Playlist's avatar

Kobi, thank you for taking the time to share your impressions of my piece. I never saw myself as one for plot twists, but I guess circumstances decided otherwise.

Kobi One's avatar

only now I read that you lost your husband to cancer, my condolences! I myself battled it three times and managed to make ababy boy betweenlosing testiclenr 1 and 2. Grateful for every day I have.

I wish the best for you and yours, thank you for sharing your thoughtsx

My Unapologetic Playlist's avatar

Kobi, I understand the being grateful for every day you have. And I am sure you are over the moon for that baby boy, even on the hard days. Cancer. It's a terrifying journey. Thank you for sharing a part of your story.

Kevin David Kridner's avatar

The way you honor YM… without letting TM diminish her… that feels like love in itself.

Those stakes weren’t small.

They couldn’t have been.

They were your life at the time.

And I feel that tension you captured so well…

wanting to fall head over feet…

while still holding a few grains of salt in your hand.

That’s not contradiction… that’s care.

And the shift at the end…

there aren’t really words for that kind of change in stakes.

Just… I see it.

And I’m really glad you told it this way.

My Unapologetic Playlist's avatar

Hi Kevin,

It means a lot to me that you took the time to consider my piece, my words, my circumstances so care-fully.

Bless you!

Ani Beeler's avatar

This was so beautiful and reminiscent. I felt like I was right there with you, walking through the streets of Kathmandu, cradling the racing heart of new, young love. The end brought everything into focus for me: how much it matters, but how short life is, and how little time we have to waste.

My Unapologetic Playlist's avatar

The memories are potent, but in the end, they turn to dust.

Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Ani. It means more than you can know.