An Update for Subscribers

Pausing and Thinking of You

August 5, 2026

Dear Friend,

As I’ve been navigating a poignant year, my relationship to writing and sharing on Substack has changed. I’m in the midst of a deeply personal journey which has required a healthy pulling back in many areas of my life.

There is some comfort here. I’ve grown quieter inside, a benefit of a passage like this. Seasons of quietening give us essential rest, deepening and clarifying who we are. My brain and body have long needed this rest.

My Yves Piaget rosebush, planted in memory of Ruby, is weathering the harsh seasons, but her bloom is still so vibrant, her fragrance heavenly.

You’ve Been By My Side

Many of you are personal friends, people who have walked with me through major losses and grief, through times when my body was injured, and when my brain was struggling to process and unscramble traumatic experiences. You’ve helped me remember my worth. You’ve shown me healing empathy and respect. You’ve invited me in and made me laugh. You’ve been real with me. Some of you have coached and mentored me. And I love you for it all.

I’ve come to appreciate how my mind is beautifully constructed, with deep artistic perception, complexity and sensitivity. I’ve also come to understand how the shadow side of my neurological wiring has wrought periods of heavy, even life-threatening depression. It requires regular, delicate unraveling and support.

I want to assure you all that I am not enduring anything life-threatening now. Profound grief before and after Ruby and Keefie’s deaths remain with me. But grief is not the same as serious depression.

As of late, though, caregiving fatigue plus an activity-restricting injury (both knees) have been pulling me down. The combination is taking its toll on my earth suit. Depression has become a factor.

For years, Excerpts from Wonderworld focused on hikes with Ruby, our adventures together, and walks in nature. Being unable to do this during Ruby’s cancer illness and now because of this injury has been affecting my mental wellbeing. I am working to rehabilitate these injuries in physical therapy, and I’m under doctor’s care to manage depression, but sometimes life kinda sucks.

Vulnerability vs. Shamed Silence

From the start, I’ve been committed to bringing authenticity here, to being candid and open with you about the raw experiences of human struggle. I refuse to let my real story be shamed into silent embarrassment. So, I’m not going to shrink back from being honest about feeling depressed lately. It’s the truth.

I’m going to trust in your kindness, your sensitive understanding,
your maturity in handling all of human complexity.

Depression is a normal life experience we dare not judge as weakness. It’s something we absolutely must feel safe talking about with each other. It’s not a flaw.

We are awesome when we are depressed just as much as when we are not. It’s part of life for everyone at times, even for those who seem to always have it together, to always be in control, “strong” and steady. There’s nothing wrong with you or me for having it.

Depression will touch every human.
It’s okay.

Even My Dad

I remember my father’s experience with it. My dad was the steadiest human being I knew. He never seemed to struggle with internal or existential crises. In his seventies, after he had open heart surgery, he expressed shock—and even anger—at the heavy depression he was feeling as a side effect. The doctor hadn’t warned him. It was frightening and overwhelming to him.

I reassured him it would pass. Then I said this:

“Dad, this is giving you a taste of what some of your kids have been wrestling with our whole lives.”

He pondered that one. He had never expected to “be depressed.” His culture saw it as weakness. But in that moment, Dad knew empathy, because he was suffering the same hardship.

Let me say it again: depression is not weakness.

It’s biochemical. It’s situational. And it is a natural part of the human struggle. Especially if we do not have support, if our primary relationships or work environments are demeaning or abusive, if our home and wellbeing is being threatened, it is NORMAL.

I suppose what I’m trying to say is, I know I am not alone, and you are not alone.

To reassure you, my life is not in danger. I usually remember I am loved and not alone. I sometimes struggle to reach out. When I do, I feel supported by my trusted inner circle. For this, I’m immeasurably grateful.

Subscription Billing

With all of this in mind, I’ve decided to honor the quiet of this season of my life and its invitation to step back. Many of you have been generously paying for content from Excerpts from Wonderworld. My content has been sparse recently and I feel I’m shorting you. With respect, I’m pausing subscription billing for you, paid subscribers, until a later time.

I’m not disappearing in isolation—I’m still here in the background, but I am now honoring the rhythms of my life.

Hope Simmers

Lady, my ten year-old angel rescue, is the greatest comfort to me, and such a dear friend. Definitely a sweet intervention.

Hope is staying with me. The vision of future adventures remains in my mind and spirit. I imagine myself sharing those adventures.

For now, I’m leaning into an increasingly peaceful acceptance of what life is for me in the now. I need to live right here, accepting life as it is in this very moment.

Accepting I can’t do many of the things that have defined me throughout my life is a hard pill to swallow. But, I really want these days to count in other ways, to be existentially transformative. To bring about something good, to make my life’s impact more effective. I want it to help me discover more truthfully who I’m meant to be in this lifetime.

How I show up will be different. I hope what I eventually bring will create more substantive connection with others, offering support, permission, freedom and fresh impetus.

Where to Find Me

For now, in the pause where my creative juices are in simmering mode, may this message assure you that even though I’ve gone a bit silent, I am thinking about you and care about you.

I will check in now and then. If you haven’t yet, please find the NOTES section of Excerpts from Wonderworld: lindajsack.substack.com/notes. There is less pressure there for me, and I do drop notes now and then, like pictures of my nephew, Jacque, on his recent visit with me. I hope you’ll continue to follow me in Notes. Please don’t be a stranger.

My sweet 16 year-old nephew, Jacque on a ride in my little neighborhood.

Until then, may I remind you this: a world of wonder is in you and around you. Look to the organic, living things. Develop your relationship with nature, with living things outside the confines of your to do lists, phone notifications and distractions. I will if you will.

We are all connected within this Wonderworld, and so you and I are never alone.

Keep in touch. Your comment below would be especially welcomed right now. And hit the like ❤️ button if you’ve enjoyed the company.

With love and wonder always,

Linda
and Lady

P.S. One last request: My little house has been on the market for oh so long, more than 200 days. We’ve done so much to make it sellable and the price is set low, very affordable. It’s new family must be just around the corner, but I would love it if you might dream, wish, manifest, pray with me for its sale soon. 🙏🏼

Here’s the link: Beaver Island Chalet