This is beautiful, Jonathan. Reminds me of Terry Tempest Williams’ memoir about her mother’s empty diaries and, more personally, the letters my own mother dictated - one to each of her 4 daughters - after her ALS stole her ability to write. And how she told her friend who recorded them she’d save them in a place where we were sure to find them. Years after she died her friend asked my sister if we’d found them and we hadn’t- nor had we known to look. We tore apart everything we’d inherited looking for her letters and have never found them. But for me the search has underscored the many messages of her love tucked into my heart where I can always find them.
Thank you, Karen. Amazing story about your mom's diaries. Have you written that up? It speaks to me, and I'm sure to anyone who had a mother. As an aside, I didn't know my mother kept any journals, though I encouraged her for years. She was too embarrassed by her writing, she said. After she died and we were cleaning out her appartment, I found several journals she had kept on the sly.
Thank you, Penny. She was the sweetest--to me. Others have different observations. It's always amazes me how we can all have different relationships withthe same person, and all are valid.
Jonathan, You've created such a vivid picture of your Grandmother. I definitely think what she saw in you was potential. She would be both proud of you and very pleased with the way you describe her.
Such a beautiful essay, Jon! You have a lovely way of listening with your heart, then translating for the rest of us to hear.
I'm so glad this translated. When I tell these family stories, I'm never sure when I bridge the divide between specificity and universality.
This is beautiful, Jonathan. Reminds me of Terry Tempest Williams’ memoir about her mother’s empty diaries and, more personally, the letters my own mother dictated - one to each of her 4 daughters - after her ALS stole her ability to write. And how she told her friend who recorded them she’d save them in a place where we were sure to find them. Years after she died her friend asked my sister if we’d found them and we hadn’t- nor had we known to look. We tore apart everything we’d inherited looking for her letters and have never found them. But for me the search has underscored the many messages of her love tucked into my heart where I can always find them.
Thank you, Karen. Amazing story about your mom's diaries. Have you written that up? It speaks to me, and I'm sure to anyone who had a mother. As an aside, I didn't know my mother kept any journals, though I encouraged her for years. She was too embarrassed by her writing, she said. After she died and we were cleaning out her appartment, I found several journals she had kept on the sly.
What a wonderful story about your sweet grandmother.
Thank you, Penny. She was the sweetest--to me. Others have different observations. It's always amazes me how we can all have different relationships withthe same person, and all are valid.
I love to hear you read! The cadence of your voice is so soothing; Thank you!
I'm so happy you said that, Pru! Not sure how this comes across to folks.
Jonathan, You've created such a vivid picture of your Grandmother. I definitely think what she saw in you was potential. She would be both proud of you and very pleased with the way you describe her.
Thanks, Joan. I know she would be proud, and I hope she would be pleased. She was so self-effacing, maybe a little embarrassed and pleased!