You Say Hello And I Say Goodbye
by Nicole Freire

Nicole & Kate Wentzel

Hello gentle readers,

I didn't want you to come to this space today and find it empty.

I wanted to let you all know that I will no longer be writing for Edhat.

I really would love to say that I'm leaving for Hawaii to lie around in a hammock to drink fruity drinks and debate the effectiveness of sunblock SPF numbers. Or that I need to spend more time working on getting my forehead to touch my knees in yoga class.

Over the course of my time writing for Edhat my columns and stories have become very personal. Some of the connections that I've made have been truly amazing and I have been delighted at the many friends and connections I have made here.

You have been unfailingly generous and supportive and for that I am grateful and humbled.

Writing so personally comes with a cost, and for me, the cost has become too high for me and my family.

I am, despite my online persona, a fairly shy person. A delicate flower perhaps?

Over the past month or so the comments section has become increasingly hostile and nasty. My feelings have been badly hurt and I have felt judged and labeled.

I know that many of you will say, "Oh no! Just ignore the trolls!"

But that's not who I am and I can't take that advice. And so I come to this space for the last time.

My time here has been..............well, here I am at a loss for words. Inspiring. Hopeful. Uplifting. Honest. Funny.

I am saddened to leave but feel that now I need to step back from the Edhat platform and spend more time with my family and friends and allow more balance and fluidity to return to my life.

I welcome you all to visit me here.

It's not writing, but it's just as important of a creative outlet for me.

So, for now, drive safely and be gentle and generous with your lives and words and feelings to those around you. It will change your life in wonderful and mysterious ways.

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for joining me here weekly. I will miss you all very much.

Continue to rock on!

Love,
Nicole

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Nicole Freire is a freelance writer who lives in Santa Barbara.