The Poetry of Showing Up — Chris B. Writes

Thank you Sara da Encarnação, Deanne Ames, Johnmark Guzman, Harriet Corvine, Karl Tame, rhonda doruiter and many others for tuning into my live video! Some stories aren’t measured by dramatic moments but by the quiet, everyday decision to keep showing up.On this episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack, I sat down with Chris B. Writes, a poet, caregiver, father, and advocate whose writing has become a voice for families navigating disability, grief, hope, and unconditional love. What unfolded wasn’t simply a conversation about poetry—it was a deeply human discussion about resilience, caregiving, authenticity, and finding beauty in life’s hardest moments.Chris shared the story of his son, Brayden, who lives with a rare genetic disorder that has shaped every aspect of their family’s life. From long hospital stays and medical uncertainty to daily therapies, equipment, and countless unseen responsibilities, Chris offered an honest look at what caregiving truly means. Yet through every challenge, one message remained clear: love is measured not by ease but by presence.One of the most moving parts of our conversation centered on letting go of expectations. Chris spoke openly about grieving the future he once imagined for his son while learning to fully embrace the life Brayden has today. That emotional shift became the foundation of both his healing and his writing.We also explored the remarkable role that music has played in Brayden’s life. Through years of music therapy, Chris has witnessed moments of connection that words alone could never create. It became a reminder that healing often arrives through unexpected places and that joy can exist even in the middle of hardship.Support Brave for Bray Bray! A charity pickleball tournament is coming up to help cover Brayden’s critical care and improve his comfort, safety, and quality of life. Every donation makes a difference: Writing has become Chris’s way of processing trauma, sharing hope, and giving his son a voice. His poetry doesn’t hide pain or pretend life is easy. Instead, it invites readers to sit with both grief and gratitude at the same time. That honesty has resonated deeply across the Substack community, where authentic storytelling continues to create meaningful connections.Our conversation also touched on the importance of community, collaboration, and remaining authentic in a world increasingly focused on algorithms and technology. Chris reminded us that readers connect with real people, not perfect ones. Consistency, vulnerability, and compassion will always outlast trends.Perhaps the most powerful takeaway came from a single line Chris shared from one of his poems:“Choosing him ten times out of ten doesn’t erase the ache.”That sentence captures the heart of caregiving. Love doesn’t remove hardship, but it gives hardship meaning.This episode is ultimately about more than caregiving. It’s about fatherhood, marriage, resilience, poetry, and discovering that sometimes the greatest acts of courage are the quiet ones that happen behind closed doors every single day.Five Lessons from My Conversation with Chris B. Writes* Showing up every day is its own form of courage. Love is often demonstrated through consistency, not grand gestures.* You can hold grief and gratitude at the same time. Healing begins when we accept both realities.* Authenticity creates deeper connections than perfection. Honest stories resonate because they’re lived, not manufactured.* Writing can become a path toward healing. Giving words to pain helps transform trauma into understanding.* Community reminds us we’re never truly alone. Sharing our stories creates hope for those walking similar paths.🟧Missed the Last Episode of Stories, Soul Work & Substack?Thank you for your support. This work is reader-supported, and your presence here matters.About the AuthorJohn Rinaldo writes Soul & Stories, a weekly publication centered on soul work, reflection, and the quiet process of becoming. He also hosts the live podcast Stories, Soul Work & Substack every Monday at 4 PM EST, where written ideas open into honest conversation.He is currently working on The Hole: Forgotten in the Shadows, a documentary written and hosted by John Rinaldo and Hassan, telling the story of Italians who resisted and secretly helped smuggle Jews to safety during World War II.Author’s Note: I have dyslexia and use assistive technologies, including AI-assisted editing, to improve grammar and readability. Every story reflects my lived experiences, voice, and final approval.© 2026 John V. Rinaldo. All rights reserved.This work is protected under U.S. and international copyright law. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, displayed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission. Official publications are released only through verified accounts directly controlled by John V. Rinaldo.THE POSITIVE PEN is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rinaldoj.substack.com/subscribe