Ohio and MIchigan in 1959. Palpable for an Ohio boy who graduated from college (Miami University in Oxford, Ohio) that same year. I grew up, or got older, in Ohio in the 40'as and 50's and your mother sounded like mine with a couple of big exceptions. She wasn't alone and had my Dad. Fortunately for me, they were a helluva good team.
I know Cranbook well and several other boarding schools where I was a teacher and later head of school. You have that environment nailed, especially from that era. As a kid, I was an OSU fan and Michigan was the big rival, always the last game of the football season. Love your stories, your love for and your skilled craft with words.
The wise, specific descriptions of your writing are helpful to this wannabe writer. Add that to just reading your pieces and I learn.
Cycles: Eric just left for home in Utah after a three week stay. You sure got into a parent’s head. My mom used to say, “Too bad we can’ live our life backwards?
Wonderful piece, Richard. So much beauty and craft in the way you bring up these complex emotions from childhood and adulthood. I love the way you blend three perspectives into this short, moving story.
How this touched me, Richard! As a mother of sons having experienced realizing it's time to let go, afraid of letting go. And the son doing it too. Really got me.
Oh, the things we could tell our younger selves---not that they would listen, even to us. You capture the self-centered adolescent so well in this poignant piece.
Ohio and MIchigan in 1959. Palpable for an Ohio boy who graduated from college (Miami University in Oxford, Ohio) that same year. I grew up, or got older, in Ohio in the 40'as and 50's and your mother sounded like mine with a couple of big exceptions. She wasn't alone and had my Dad. Fortunately for me, they were a helluva good team.
I know Cranbook well and several other boarding schools where I was a teacher and later head of school. You have that environment nailed, especially from that era. As a kid, I was an OSU fan and Michigan was the big rival, always the last game of the football season. Love your stories, your love for and your skilled craft with words.
Thank you very much, Gary. You didn’t teach at Cranbrook , did you?
No, but later taught at G P University School on the other side of Detroit. One course part time. Short lived.
The wise, specific descriptions of your writing are helpful to this wannabe writer. Add that to just reading your pieces and I learn.
Cycles: Eric just left for home in Utah after a three week stay. You sure got into a parent’s head. My mom used to say, “Too bad we can’ live our life backwards?
I'm always glad to hear you liked something I wrote, Judy.
Parenting: I feel sometimes I'm in a perpetual state of guilt.
Have you seen some of Becky's videos from Edinburgh? Are you on Instagram?
Here's one: https://www.instagram.com/p/C-ghuQONRdf/?hl=en
Wonderful piece, Richard. So much beauty and craft in the way you bring up these complex emotions from childhood and adulthood. I love the way you blend three perspectives into this short, moving story.
Thank you, Olivier. I so appreciate your words and thoughts. I greatly respect your response.
Merci Richard. Short form is an art. You make it sound effortless.
Very moving, Richard. Thanks for sharing your story; it resonates on both side of the ocean between adolescence and adulthood.
Thank you, Kaylene.
How this touched me, Richard! As a mother of sons having experienced realizing it's time to let go, afraid of letting go. And the son doing it too. Really got me.
Thank you, Pat. It got me, too.
Oh, the things we could tell our younger selves---not that they would listen, even to us. You capture the self-centered adolescent so well in this poignant piece.
Thanks, Elizabeth. I am grateful for your support.
I love the way this piece seques from a focus on your feelings to a (belated) empathic understanding of your mother's feelings.
Thanks, John. The whole thing is about sympathy.