11 Comments
Jan 22Liked by Siobhan Curham

Love this story of your hardships that built your strength and resilience! Thank you for being an inspiration!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so much! ❤️

Expand full comment

I did laugh at your Canadian Professors response. No doubt he appreciated your authenticity. You obviously gave him the opportunity to escape from his ivory tower for a second. Breathed some life back into academia

Loved it. Thankyou for sharing your story

Expand full comment
author

I laughed too when he said it - it was definitely a bonding moment! 😄 So glad you enjoyed the story

Expand full comment
Jan 21Liked by Siobhan Curham

You've reminded me that I wrote to my old lady self when I was in my thirties and dreaming of a writing life. I'm inspired to find that essay and compare it to the writing career I've had, which supported me while single-parenting MY wonderful son! Thank you so much for this beautiful sharing of your coming-of-age story.

I'm now 70 and working on my memoir and you've set me a fine example. Happy greetings from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.

Expand full comment
author

So great to hear from you in North Carolina! And I hope you're able to find your letter from your younger self, I bet that would be a great read! Happy memoir writing 😊

Expand full comment

Wow. What an amazing story. It reminds me of a similar story told by Kiwi blogger Marc Hall in his book "Twenty" .

I too, set forth on my own at an earlyish age. (22) Not quite the same as I was an exchange student from Canada going to Australia for a year.

There were ups and downs and a lot of fun.

I'm heading back next year (solo this time) to revisit some of those old haunts in Brisbane. I have often thought about what my younger self would think about seeing me now and if I would dare to do the things I did back then.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so much! I'm going to check out that book for sure. And how fun to retrace your Australian adventures as a solo traveller! Lovely to hear from you 😊

Expand full comment

Yes, I can't wait. I was solo the first time but brought my husband in 2019. Totally different dynamic. 2025 will be solo and long stay. (max 90 days). My retirement trip to myself.

Expand full comment
Jan 21Liked by Siobhan Curham

That was the best yet Siobhan! The parallels with my life are outstanding, and poignant. You took me on a rush there. And still I've not spent time in Liverpool despite a corresponding love of the city (though I have been in n out to Anfield and Goodison with the mighty Spurs). This is the year, and thanks for FlanagansApple. x

Expand full comment
author

Ah, so great to hear from you! And I'm so happy you enjoyed this one. I hope you get to see more of Liverpool next time you're up there, you should deffo go for a pint in Flanagans 😊 x

Expand full comment