I love that I can hear your voice when I read your stories. This was as usual captivating to read and I felt like I was sitting in that house with you! Love you friend
Transported! Thank you for sharing so much of your history with us. Reading this and knowing the love your kiddos have receive at their Thanksgiving dinners really melts me. Omar reverted to Islam after our son was born and he doesnt observe Thanksgiving with my family, but I hope to craft a tradition for our little family that inspires laughter and peace like your writing has done for me.
There was so much of this that was familiar. I was the brilliant hope for the future in my second year at college who had scandalized the family by taking up with a singer in a rock and roll band who was ten years older. I still showed up at my grandparents' house for Thanksgiving dinner (after being told that she was not welcome) and for an afternoon, an uneasy peace prevailed. The next year, my beloved grandfather would be gone. The relationship with the singer was over. And I was so glad I swallowed my pride and had that last Thanksgiving with everyone present.
Family is so complicated. Navigating without regret is sometimes the goal. I hope you enjoyed that year with the rock star. Sounds like a story worth writing :)
Stefanie, I love your writing and always look forward to receiving your "the savoring" newsletter. I can totally relate to your Thanksgiving story and I so wish to have my crazy, dysfunctional , loving family all together again. However, I have my beautiful kids, my son's wife, and my adorable grandkids now and am forever grateful for the traditions and memories we are making now. Life is so interesting and fast. I just try to stay present and take in those wonderful moments of family, laughter, and love. Thanks so much for sharing your stories and stay well. Nora Kaiser Xxo
Nora what a treat to see you pop up in the comments. Staying present is where the joy is. We are so very blessed. Hope to run into you somewhere very soon. 🤎
Loved it! Well written, engaging and warm. Fiction or non-fiction? Regardless, you made it feel real for me, and that's what storytelling is about. Bravo!
I also attended the first six years of those Thanksgiving dinners of your life, that is how I remember them to. You are right your mother .did not cook. Our first meal was her cooking hotdogs and she read the directions. Love you and your memories!
Man this is so good. You know writing is good when someone’s life details are very different than yours yet elicit the same emotions. Bravo.
Thank you so much Henny. That is a compliment I will remember all day with a smile. 🤎
This story made me get teary. Your writing is beautiful and poignant. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you Rachel for taking the time to share that with me. Means so much. I'm glad I could write something that made you feel. 🤎
Yes. It’s a gift as a writer to evoke emotion - thank you.
I love that I can hear your voice when I read your stories. This was as usual captivating to read and I felt like I was sitting in that house with you! Love you friend
Thank you. Love you back friend.
Beautifully written and touching. Hope you are saving for that essay collection.
Thanks friend. :)
Beautiful writing. Simply beautiful.
Thank you so much. ❤️
Transported! Thank you for sharing so much of your history with us. Reading this and knowing the love your kiddos have receive at their Thanksgiving dinners really melts me. Omar reverted to Islam after our son was born and he doesnt observe Thanksgiving with my family, but I hope to craft a tradition for our little family that inspires laughter and peace like your writing has done for me.
You will, I am certain of it. Happy holidays friend! 🤎
☮️🤍 ⛄️
There was so much of this that was familiar. I was the brilliant hope for the future in my second year at college who had scandalized the family by taking up with a singer in a rock and roll band who was ten years older. I still showed up at my grandparents' house for Thanksgiving dinner (after being told that she was not welcome) and for an afternoon, an uneasy peace prevailed. The next year, my beloved grandfather would be gone. The relationship with the singer was over. And I was so glad I swallowed my pride and had that last Thanksgiving with everyone present.
Family is so complicated. Navigating without regret is sometimes the goal. I hope you enjoyed that year with the rock star. Sounds like a story worth writing :)
Stefanie, I love your writing and always look forward to receiving your "the savoring" newsletter. I can totally relate to your Thanksgiving story and I so wish to have my crazy, dysfunctional , loving family all together again. However, I have my beautiful kids, my son's wife, and my adorable grandkids now and am forever grateful for the traditions and memories we are making now. Life is so interesting and fast. I just try to stay present and take in those wonderful moments of family, laughter, and love. Thanks so much for sharing your stories and stay well. Nora Kaiser Xxo
Nora what a treat to see you pop up in the comments. Staying present is where the joy is. We are so very blessed. Hope to run into you somewhere very soon. 🤎
You are one amazing storyteller!!!
Thank you friend. 🤎
Loved it! Well written, engaging and warm. Fiction or non-fiction? Regardless, you made it feel real for me, and that's what storytelling is about. Bravo!
Thank you Lynne! It's non-fiction. Most of my upbringing begs the questions, fiction or non-fiction. :)
Loved that story!
Thank you! 🤎
‘I finish my own prayer silently, “Please let everyone be nice to each other so I don’t have to leave before pie. Amen.”’
That made me smile!
Lovely piece.
Thank you so much Wendy. Glad I could make you smile. 🤎
I also attended the first six years of those Thanksgiving dinners of your life, that is how I remember them to. You are right your mother .did not cook. Our first meal was her cooking hotdogs and she read the directions. Love you and your memories!
Hotdogs were to hard for her to cook!
Haha!
Soup and cereal!
🤢
I honestly can not remember a single meal she ever cooked. Not even the hotdogs. What the hell did we eat when we were with her?