49 Comments
Oct 18, 2023Liked by Kelly Flanagan

😭

Expand full comment
Oct 18, 2023Liked by Kelly Flanagan

I want to be like Vuvu when I grow up

Expand full comment
author

He was an incredibly honorable man. 🥲

Expand full comment
Oct 18, 2023Liked by Kelly Flanagan

Kelly, you have a real gift with storytelling and connecting hearts. Thank you for sharing Vuvu with us!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Joan, and thank you for letting me share him with you. 😊

Expand full comment

My mom passed this last June at age 96, so I have some resonating tears as I read your post. Looking forward to Humaning.

Expand full comment
author

I have no doubt that the intentionality of our call with him was inspired at least in part by the stories you told me about your mom's passing. Thank you, my friend.

Expand full comment
Oct 18, 2023Liked by Kelly Flanagan

Wow. “I hope I’m that brave when my time comes”. Thank you Kelly this was beautiful.

Expand full comment
author

You're welcome, Susan, thank you for being here.

Expand full comment
Oct 18, 2023Liked by Kelly Flanagan

Love this! Thank you for sharing the story. “I hope that I’m that brave when my time comes”. What a beautiful story.

Expand full comment
author

It's great to hear from you, Laurie, thanks for your kind words as always!

Expand full comment
Oct 18, 2023Liked by Kelly Flanagan

Kelly, you always find the perfect word to express your own heartfelt message. Of course it resonates with me as I have, on my dresser, a beautiful artwork canvas saying ‘wherever you go, go with all your heart’.

I live by it, and have shared it with my sons for this whole journey. But I do often find it lonely, because many people cannot tolerate that kind of vulnerability. And sometimes we empaths, especially in times of crisis, global, especially, look for our people, to be humanly courageous with…and there aren’t as many as we would like there to be. In addition, we can make people uncomfortable if they are not able to join the conversation. Makes me beyond grateful to be a guide among guides…let’s All keep Humaning together ❤️🙏❤️

Expand full comment
author

One of my childhood friends happened to post just this morning on her Substack about the topic of death and grief and how often we try to avoid it. I'm grateful to be here in this space with you, Marilyn, and so many others who are willing to tolerate the vulnerability of it long enough to find some beauty in it, too. https://lmbartelt.substack.com/p/few-things-in-life-are-certain

Expand full comment
Oct 18, 2023Liked by Kelly Flanagan

What a lovely story, and thank you for sharing it with us. Many blessing to Vuvu and your family!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Heather!

Expand full comment
Oct 18, 2023Liked by Kelly Flanagan

My mother passed away a little over a month ago. We had a similar experience with her at one of our last visits. This post really put my eye lids to the test. Thanks.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks for letting us know, Tom. I pray reading and feeling this piece felt like another way to honor your mother with your grief.

Expand full comment
Oct 18, 2023Liked by Kelly Flanagan

Dude! Come on! I'm at work man. You can't pull this stuff on me while I'm trying to be professional.

I'm grateful for your ability and willingness to share. Thank you.

Keep it going.

Expand full comment
author

The don't-read-at-work disclaimer goes without saying by now, doesn't it? 😉 Thanks as always for your encouragement, JC!

Expand full comment
Oct 18, 2023Liked by Kelly Flanagan

Good timing. Learning to keep my heart open regardless of circumstances. Thank you.

Expand full comment
author

Michael, I'd love to hear how that intention came about for you. I read Michael Singer's book a couple years ago and set it as my new year's resolution, and it's been life-changing. How about you?

Expand full comment
Oct 18, 2023Liked by Kelly Flanagan

Humaning is what I hear & see when I read this story! By VuVu, by you and Kelly and your children! A legacy of courage, 3 generations of opening your hearts to difficult conversation and experiencing ALL of it!

Witnessing your humanness creates a desire for the same in me and I’m so excited for this new book and adventure! Your words, your ability to connect story to everyday life, reminds me to live today, be present to today, and open my heart to it all! ❤️❤️❤️

Thank you Kelly!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Rho! And I appreciate how you see my kids in this story. It really was very brave of them, too. They have way more courage than their old man did at their age!

Expand full comment

This is beautiful, and timely - how perfectly it happens. I lost my brother two weeks ago. He was younger than Vuvu, but I know the bravery you describe of fully open. My intention is to share his story on my substack. I hope it will resonate. Thank you.

Expand full comment
author

I'm sorry for your loss but glad hear of the bravery in it that made it beautiful, too. I just subscribed to your Substack and grateful to make another connection here!

Expand full comment

Thank you so much.

Expand full comment
Oct 18, 2023Liked by Kelly Flanagan

A beautiful story Dr. Kelly - thanks for sharing.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks for reading and for your encouraging words, Joe.

Expand full comment

Isn't it interesting how "humaning" sounds so much more welcoming than "adulting" does? Less pressure, less expectation, more we're-all-in-this-togetherness. And, of course, we've all likely had an experience similar to what you describe with Vuvu. You're making me want to write about my grandfather, just to do it. It's been nine years, but in many ways doesn't feel even half that long. Hmm. Maybe I will...

Expand full comment
author

I can't wait to see the piece about your grandfather, Nancy. And your right, adulting has a pretty negative connotation. The good news, though, is that after adulting comes second-childhooding, and that's amazing! 😊

Expand full comment
Oct 18, 2023Liked by Kelly Flanagan

Beautifully written, your writing always pulls me in because it is consistently authentic, relatable and are so often the words of MY heart, or similar to words I would use. I love the back story woven in to the present moment scene; lovely, tender. I have imagined a future "death bed" and hope that no words or sentiments were left unsaid long before that moment. I am into the "eldering" phase of my "humaning". Let's keep it going. TY

Expand full comment
author

It's great to hear from you here, Heather. Thank you for your kind words. I love the idea of making sure nothing is left unsaid by the time that time comes. That would speak to a remarkably open-hearted life!

Expand full comment