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SydneyMichalski🌿NatureMoments's avatar

Hi Mehda! I found your stack when Rebecca Holden shared her letter with me, in which you drew her comic with the red squirrel - so delightful! I was sad to see this tough news, and wish you so much peace and comfort 💕 Last year, I cared for my mom through the end of Alzheimer’s, and experienced that deep exhaustion you described. I’m slowly recovering. Your work is beautiful, your grace and wisdom in sharing these experiences is very brave and appreciated. Hugs

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Thanks so much for your beautiful comment Sydney! The entire situation has gotten to much more intense and I now have a decent case of covid so your words were extra impactful. Thanks for taking the time. Sorry to hear about your tough journey too and am glad you are starting to regain some of your energy. Hope to keep connecting here with you here in the near future! All the best to you and yours.

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Jenny Homan's avatar

3. If you haven't yet, check out Bleach! Awesome graphic novel. Great escape.

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Oh I haven't! Will hunt it down. Thank you!

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Jenny Homan's avatar

Tite Kubo. I think is the author. It's old, been around for many many years. Was made into a series, and a live action movie (which doesn't do it justice.) But the GN's really are good. Beautiful, action packed. Compelling story. It's one of my all time favs.

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Gloria Horton-Young's avatar

Jason McBride’s WIERDO POETRY is a beautiful interwoven poetry and comic style Substack. His art and poems smash my HAPPY button every single time.

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Sue Ferrera's avatar

Beautiful thoughts. Enjoy this blessed time making memories! 💜

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Thank you! We're doing our best to x

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Anita Kaiser's avatar

Sending you so much love Medha. I love the image of the flashlight shining through the darkness. Enjoy the time with your dad! And in general just enjoy your time. <3

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

'Enjoy your time' is a fabulous goal. I like it.

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Mark Dolan's avatar

Once there is a cadence I think your Dad will love it. I have found the first few attempts are always tricky until people get comfortable enough that they forget the recorder is rolling.

If you have a Google Pixel phone the Recorder application is incredible as an interviewing tool and it creates a fantastic transcription. Not that you need it, but the Recorder even does live transcription of multiple languages with remarkable fidelity. Otherwise, the free-tier of iOtter.ai application works pretty well also.

My hobby of genealogy has led me to get in the habit of interviewing. The handful I have of Mom are a treasure. Almost like she is with me.

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

That's fabulous. Thanks Mark. Will be doing it this week...

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Yael Scuri's avatar

I’d love to see you when you are in Sydney 🫢

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

That would have been nice but we already went, and it wasn't that kind of trip. We were not there long and spent the time there catching up with dad's friends. I'm still catching up on drawing all the things that have happened!

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BatSheva Universa's avatar

MEDHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Jeez Louise. And just yesterday I thought to myself "I really hope Medha has it in her to do more comics." I am not joking. Then I read this beautiful strip. I loved the "recap" at the beginning SO much but the panel with you wrapped in the blue blanket with all the images of you hugging your Dad... it is sublime and incredibly beautiful & moving art. I immediately thought of my kids' #1 favorite graphic novelist, Raina Telgemeier, as well as they 10+ other graphic novel artists they are obsessed with, we have bookshelves full of them. They are all young adult & kids but my kids are totally obsessed with these books. I have always, since the very first time I read your very first illustrated effort, seen you as a successful graphic novelist. I will be very surprised if (whenever Divine Timing would have it) that doesn't someday happen. Regardless and/or in the meantime, YAY keep them coming please! Love, BatSheva AKA #Medhafangirl

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Ooohhh. I'm only just getting into the whole graphic novels things and honestly it's so fun! Thanks for the recommendation! If you have any more writers the kids love I'd love to know their names! And thank you!!! I'm feeling like I'm getting pulled more and more in this direction.... You're the best x

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Janice Walton's avatar

Hi Mehda, You have already done the one thing I couldn't do for three years after my husband died - to say these are the facts - now what are we going to do? I think your priorities are in perfect order: take care of you, take care of Dad, and make memories. In retrospect, I would have done more of that. He had dementia, so it would have been a greater challenge, and there were some by accident, but we could have made more - for me to have and hold today.

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Oh wow. Thanks Janice. That means a lot. Also, dad has brain cancer, and he's starting to act in ways that are very much 'not himself', so we're heading in that direction too. We'll see how it all unfolds...

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Janice Walton's avatar

It will be tough- there just is no way around it. Make the most of each moment- just as you are.

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

It sure will be. Thank you.

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Mark Dolan's avatar

4. Record your Dad and have a conversation. Having his voice is a great gift.

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Someone else said that to me and I keep putting it off for some reason. Resistance maybe? hehe. But thanks for the nudge. I do want to do that.

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Mark Dolan's avatar

Yours is a highly personal situation so no one should be telling you what to do. If you decide to pursue it, it tends to take people (especially if they are older) a bit of time to become comfortable with recording. After a while they forget the recording and the joy and authenticity comes out.

If you have a Google Pixel phone the Recorder application built in is like Sci-Fi and works even if there is no coverage. Otherwise, the application Otter.ai is pretty slick and has a great free tier.

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Karen Kartika's avatar

1. Favorite drawing: I’ll remember this... (you and your dad hugs in oncology waiting room

2. Acceptance is a work in progress.

3. I don’t have any reco for graphic novels

4. I love your work. You’re amazing!

5. Just woke up. Still thinking about what to eat for breakfast

All the best with the bucket list! Share some of the adventure here 💛💛💛

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

I loved them all, but possibly number 4 the best! hehe.

Thank you!!

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Karen Kartika's avatar

Yey 🎉✨🤣

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Such beautiful words and pictures, Medha. I was so thrilled to find Great Things in my inbox this morning. Sending hugs and strength in BULK.

1. The whale - such a harrowing picture, yes, but gosh, I'm in awe of your lateral thinking to make a wail into a whale. Come on, that's *awesome*.

2. I'm not sure if this answers the question, but in our family we have always set about tackling the situations that present themselves - so, not worrying about hypotheticals: the things that aren't on our plate, the ones that we don't need to worry about, but instead dealing with the things that we are actually facing. I love what you and your Dad are doing - that's a wonderful thing.

3. 'Cassandra Darke' by Posy Simmonds. Beautiful, hilarious, sinister...

4. I love your work and it's so wonderful to see you today! 😘

5. Two soft-boiled eggs and two cups of peppermint tea.

♥️

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Oh yay! I laughed out loud when I thought of the wail/whale thing. I did wonder if it was too weird, or if people would get it, but it made me laugh, so that means it goes in!

I'm having troule finding Cassandra Darke so far, but I shall persist! Thank you! x

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Not weird, but wonderful - it was really clever! 🐳

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Kara Norman's avatar

Yes to letting it all out! One of my kids absolutely wails when something bad happens and then they are over it and can be present with the next thing. Why don’t we teach this?! lol that receptionist- you’d think hospital people would be better trained in emotionally intelligence. They are not! Such a beautiful thing that you and your dad can face this time so openly. Sending you lots of time and space for feeling and adventuring. And brava for pivoting where you life needs you to. 🫀

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

I know! It's so healing and cathartic! I think we come pre-wired to do it, but then we lose it? I've been training myself to reclaim it for years now. Thankfully! And thanks for the love and support.

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Abigail Warren's avatar

And I like the whale wailing.......

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Oh good! I enjoyed that one myself hehe

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Abigail Warren's avatar

Dear Great Things, does this mean you are going to stop writing?!

I hope not. As I travel through my private world of grief, of which I am no stranger, I seek out those that live in this world. I encourage you to keep writing GT. If not, I understand. Please read my post—Death and trying to write. It's hard. Family vanishing into thin air is hard. I send you strength.

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

I don't think so. Writing is super helpful for me, but I'm only doing it when I have the energy atm. Which is a little less than I'd like, but cei la vie...

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Candace Rose Rardon's avatar

Favorite drawing from today = making memories! Loved the sudden burst of color and change in the tones you’d been using up until then. Thank you for sharing so beautifully and in such a moving way about the journey you’re on with your dad right now 🤍🙏✨

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Medha Murtagh's avatar

Oh thank you for pointing out the colour = change in tone thing! I actually hadn't noticed I'd done that! As a newbie to this medium I'm really enjoying exploring it. Thanks for the support!

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