A SUBSTACK LOVE LETTER

My heart to you all ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Waving From A Distance

Ral, Dearest Ral, I've never received a love letter from anyone! I will treasure your words forever.

Never worry about "being a bestseller" -- remember, you do not write and you so not speak to the lowest common denominator. You are part of the structure that holds us together. Artist to artist. Creative people of all colors around the world. Of many languages.

You have created a foundation from which we all grow and speak to one another in words and art. We will remember you. It's much stronger than "bestseller" which is fleeting at best. Who remembers from year to year a bestseller who disappears? A flash in the pan as the saying goes.

You are eternal. Love back to you!

Hello my friend 🌼

I cried while working on this and now you're making me cry again. Sorry for the last response I had to go to bed. You and everyone in this orbit are the best and you all mean so much to me. So this is all worth it.

Wishing you a beautiful weekend ahead♥️

Where would the world be if we all lost ourselves to the algorithm?

Thank you, sista Ral, and to all the lovely creators mentioned here.

Hello sis 🌼

I know the weekend is crazy and quiet for you and I appreciate you being here to support me. Means the world. Wishing you a lovely weekend ahead and eat lots of food 🥰

I plan to make doubles tomorrow, which is Trinidadian street food.

It’s supposed to rain all weekend.

Have the best weekend, sista Ral.

Can't wait for the day we meet physically. It'll be such a delight. My PhD will drag me there. I'm sure of it. Haha

I look forward to that day sis 🤗

Mark Farley’s wandering’s

Thank you so very much Ral, a lovely surprise and greatly appreciated.

Peace and love, 🙏

Hello Mark...

I'm so happy this touched you. Wishing you a lovely weekend today 🌼

This is what it looks like when someone builds for people instead of metrics. Honored to be named here, Ral — but more than that, I'm moved by what you're building. Planet Ral is rare. The village is real.💞

Hello Reg, 🌼

Don't make me cry... I've always wanted a place like this and it's an honour to have one dedicated to the arts. You're the best.

Have a beautiful weekend ahead🌀🌸

Laura's Poetry Corner

Wow I'm blown away by this Ral - how wonderful! And thank you for your kind words 😍

Hello Laura🌼

You're an awesome person I don't need a soothsayer to tell me that and welcome to Planet Ral. There's so much to explore together. Wishing you a lovely weekend 🌀

This is such a meaningful project, Ral. Gratitude can feel too rare these days, and I love the way you’re slowing down long enough to name what someone’s work meant to you. ❤️

Hello Julie

Thanks for seeing the project in that light. It means so much to me. It's always my pleasure to see and have you each time.

Wishing you a beautiful weekend and see you on our next issue

I really mean that. You’re part of the reason community has come to mean so much to me on Substack. In the past six months, I’ve received more genuine kindness and connection here, from creators like you, than I did in years on Facebook or Instagram. I’m really grateful our paths crossed here.

Honey. Don't say much. Same here ♥️

Beautiful.

Thanks Dinah

You did again Ral. Love this! I appreciate your focus on building something rooted in people and connection.

Hello Denise 🌼

Keep up the great work!

I'm happy this issue found you. And yes this is all a dream and it's in the lights. Welcome to Planet Ral once again and see you on our next issue.

Thank you, Ral, for reminding me that I'm still here. It's true that I've pretty much gone quiet: to paraphrase, while life is making other plans, some things aren't happening. I'm honored to be in your circle, and I have something to share in this issue. I wrote it last October, and it seems to me to fit nicely with this subject. Spoiler: it's four haiku. I'll be emailing you the entry forthwith.

Hello Liam 🌼

It's good to see you and I always have you in my heart. I've received your submission via mail and it's beautiful.

Wishing you a lovely weekend my friend

Aw, I needed that today ❤️. Thank you so much for all the work YOU do building community.

Thanks honey... You're the best. And do take care of yourself. Wishing you a beautiful weekend ahead♥️

This is the most beautiful I have read about myself, Ral!! Thank you!! 🙏

Hello Margaret

I'm so happy to have you hear and I hope the love letter spoke to your heart. That's what you mean and more. Wishing you a beautiful weekend ahead 🌸

You are truly a gift to all of us whom you have inspired Ral!

Beautiful artwork and love for us to embrace! I'm filled with gratitude to have met you!

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

Me too. You mean as much.

Kathryn Jefferies, PhD

1d

Oh my goodnessssss …. Heart broken 💔 open, Ral 🥹. What a being of beauty you are. I’m awed and humbled by your acknowledgment of me … and everyone here. Life has felt hard recently and this love letter comes as a balm in the dark. Putting all of this love and beauty out into the world is a remarkable act. Thank you, dear one.

Oh honey 🌼

Thank you too. I feel so connected to you and I know you'll have great fun with Planet Ral. This is the kind of community we're building here.

Also, I know what it's like to deal with life and still have to find no appreciation or care from anyone. It makes it harder to live for. We may have know each other a while, but I don't feel that way at all. So I'm here for you.