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Rita Ott Ramstad's avatar

I love this, Amy. The part that grabbed at me was the one in which the woman's hands grew back. I love that it happened while in the company of other women, and from putting her stumps into the dirt. It's how I feel about a coming back to writing that is happening for me. I'm looking forward to becoming a woman with eyes the color of a muddy river and hair the color of birchbark.

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Amy Walsh's avatar

Thank you! I was just telling Emily that I've heard this story so many times that I sort of forgot how unexpected the hands growing back is. I love that writing is giving that growth to you! And yes, once you wrote that, I realized my grandmother had hair and eyes that color, so it's a definite possibility for me :)

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Sarah McKinley's avatar

Loved this part as well. Thanks for sharing!

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Amy Walsh's avatar

Thank you Sarah!

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Joanna Kraft's avatar

I first read this story a few years ago in Women Who Run with the Wolves and it nearly knocked the wind out of me. I can’t say what it was exactly but it was one of those stories that resonated in my bones. A tale with endless lessons hidden inside it - one that that would stay with me for the rest of my life, revealing it’s secrets to me as I moved through my own wilding and grappling with silver hands, deceit, reunion… I was so moved to read your rendition today. Thank you. I’ll be sitting with this as we move through Samhain this week.

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Amy Walsh's avatar

Yes, it's a true medicine story. I find myself in a substantially different place each time. There are so many layers to this story. You could definitely spend hours telling it. Thank you! I hope this version moves something new for you.

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Emily Levin's avatar

Well this is just glorious! Wow! And no surprise, I am with Rita- my nascent hands are in the soil, getting dexterous in the company of women.

You are on fire, and I am so here for it.

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Amy Walsh's avatar

Thank you! I've experienced this story so many times now that I had sort of forgotten how unexpected it is that her hands grew back :) I'm hoping to give the Six Swans a try too. Another great female-led folktale.

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Melanie Williams de Amaya's avatar

Im not part of "School" but so thankful to share in this. Beautifully written. I dont remember this from Women Who Run With Wolves but im thinking of re-reading with milkier eyes. I was scared that the longhouse was a trap, that the devil hadnt really cut his losses after all. So it was wonderful to read of the second longhouse and the growth in both houses. Such a beautiful telling. Thankyou.

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Amy Walsh's avatar

Thank you Melanie! I think it’s the very last story in the book, so if you come and go from Women Who Run With Wolves you may not have made it there yet. I’m glad I was able to offer a pleasant surprise! The darkness of old stories can be really tough if there’s not a bit of light at the end to grasp onto.

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Emaho's avatar

Beautiful - thank you - the longhouse in the woods with all the nourishment for regrowth also resonated with me 💛 And you have inspired me to revisit the book 💛

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Amy Walsh's avatar

Thank you! So many of us have a deep longing for that kind of belonging with both human and more than human life. And yes, always good to revisit CPE from time to time! :)

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