Thanks, Janet. Dialogue can do so much of the heavy lifting in a story, but there are times when the remove of almost total interiority can be surprisingly impactful. Thanks for reading!
The writing here does what the best memoir does: it stays close to the particular and arrives somewhere universal without ever announcing the arrival. Yes I agree, a beautiful, heartbreaking piece. 🙏
I had to read this in increments, because second-guessing yourself after you've lost a child--even an adult child--is tormenting. Much as I try to shoo it away. Anyway...it was beautiful and I love the image of fairy dust, which I now imagine emanating from my daughter in my memories of her as a child. Thank you.
"Perfect parenting is, perhaps, as ephemeral as fairy dust, here one moment, gone the next. What a relief.
I turn back to my book and hide a tiny smile."
Such a great ending because it makes us recognize the feeling of both/and in ourselves. A wee bit schadenfreude and also empathy for the other mother AND ourselves.
Beautiful writing, Casey, and a fascinating POV. I've never been a parent but this phrase certainly resonated: "I wonder how that would be, even now, waking up in the world like you already know you belong there."
I loved that this story was told, primarily, without dialogue and highlighted the assumptions we often make about strangers.
Thanks, Janet. Dialogue can do so much of the heavy lifting in a story, but there are times when the remove of almost total interiority can be surprisingly impactful. Thanks for reading!
The writing here does what the best memoir does: it stays close to the particular and arrives somewhere universal without ever announcing the arrival. Yes I agree, a beautiful, heartbreaking piece. 🙏
Marcello, thanks so much for this perceptive and kind comment. xo
A beautiful, heartbreaking piece. Such an evocative and relatable rendering of early parenting and how our histories shape us.
From one who knows. 🩷
Really good! I loved this piece, so relatable.
Thank, Cathy! Miss seeing you on socials..hope all is well!
I had to read this in increments, because second-guessing yourself after you've lost a child--even an adult child--is tormenting. Much as I try to shoo it away. Anyway...it was beautiful and I love the image of fairy dust, which I now imagine emanating from my daughter in my memories of her as a child. Thank you.
Thank you for reading and for such a thoughtful, lovely comment, Cindy. Wishing you warm memories of your own Tinker Bell. xo
This language. This bringing us in tight to your lens of the world. Beautifully done. Thank you for sharing with us.
And thank you so much for reading. xo
Lovely writing, and a profound reflection, friend. Thank you for sharing.
Claudia Love! I’m over the moon to see you here. I’ve missed you! 🩷
"Perfect parenting is, perhaps, as ephemeral as fairy dust, here one moment, gone the next. What a relief.
I turn back to my book and hide a tiny smile."
Such a great ending because it makes us recognize the feeling of both/and in ourselves. A wee bit schadenfreude and also empathy for the other mother AND ourselves.
That was my hope, Nina! xo
Wow, what a beautiful piece. Love this, my friend.
🩷🩷🩷
This is beautiful, Casey!
So moving . . . and so much here. great essay.
Beautiful writing, Casey, and a fascinating POV. I've never been a parent but this phrase certainly resonated: "I wonder how that would be, even now, waking up in the world like you already know you belong there."
Thanks, Margaret. Yes, parent or not, that phrase rang so true to me when it spilled out onto the page all those years ago. Maybe my life's quest.
Blinking back tears.
What a meaningful response. Thank you, Elizabeth. 🩷
Two mothers years apart, and two children, one no longer living, exquisitely juxtaposed. A beautiful meditation on motherhood, loss and care.
A beautiful comment that means so much coming from you, Rona. You cut straight to the heart of what I’d hoped readers would take away.
This one makes me smile and breaks my heart in the same breath.
As do so many of your masterful essays, my friend.
Love this so much <3
Thanks, Jocelyn. 🙏