As a kid, I'd sometimes go with my dad to visit his parents in Los Angeles. Their house was big, modern; not ostentatious, but elegant. And quiet. There were thick carpets and oriental rugs everywhere, which added to the hushed feeling. Not like our house—a dilapidated Victorian with creaky wood floors, always full of people, music, noise. My grandparents were quiet, and there was a sense of intellectual and moral goodness too, which, although good things in themselves, was oppressive to a kid who would have been more comfortable with less of it—to take the pressure off. The idea of anyone behaving badly or even loudly in such a setting was unthinkable. But my grandfather, Hermann, had a sense of humor, although it took me some time to realize it, and he was generous and kind. He was more thoughtful than anybody I've met since, except maybe my father and my husband and ex-husband. Probably he helped set me up for something good in that way, in the way of husbands I mean, formed my taste a little, by his example.
The pauses you construct are just as powerful as the dialogue that builds on the nodding - which is an echo memory for me, Anna. Powerful for those in the know and prodding awareness for those that don't. Thank you.
It's 'Victoria speak' ;-) I was meaning that from your writing I felt an echo of several memories of looking after Dad (congestive heart failure, and other issues). Metaphorical in terms of the pace and rhythm of your text, and the memories, that created an echo for me.
Thanks again for this wonderful insight into your life. I fought for my dad to live healthy for 30 years . He died early from his intense lifestyle. I'm just living out of my massive garden and on all my herb teas!
Loved it, Anna. Your prose paints these vivid scenes that scroll one after the other delicately, almost imperceptibly. With your thoughts in-between. Like this: "I never thought to try and console my dad though. I guess because I simply didn't think of her as his mother."
You have beautiful gentle vibrations oozing out, reverberating to enchant.
I, personally, would like to save all your writing and print it all out, file it in a large A4 lever arch file....savour your reminiscing, all my rest of my life. You twang me so.
It's like a composite of sooo many writers, I've had the good fortune to read, over my life....
Thank you, Schott, you are a wonderful Earthling. 🙏🏻🧘🏻♀️🌌
(ps: I can identify, with your pa...me too, cardiac misbehaviour.
on trinitroglycerine or I think, it's called glyceral trinitrate...same diff, what the heck...I'm too much of a chicken (me being a vegetarian🙄) for the advised bypass...so far so good, six years after my doc hit the ball to my court.)
The pauses you construct are just as powerful as the dialogue that builds on the nodding - which is an echo memory for me, Anna. Powerful for those in the know and prodding awareness for those that don't. Thank you.
Thank you, Victoria. What is an echo memory?
It's 'Victoria speak' ;-) I was meaning that from your writing I felt an echo of several memories of looking after Dad (congestive heart failure, and other issues). Metaphorical in terms of the pace and rhythm of your text, and the memories, that created an echo for me.
ah, thank you for explaining
I really enjoyed this. The writing is so tender. And your grandfather sounds wonderful.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. And he was.
Thanks again for this wonderful insight into your life. I fought for my dad to live healthy for 30 years . He died early from his intense lifestyle. I'm just living out of my massive garden and on all my herb teas!
Sounds great, the garden. It was a relief to everyone when I stopped fussing over my dad's diet. I'm sorry for your loss.
“If I can't eat another steak,” he said, “I'd rather croak.”
Unfortunately I think this is a very common sentiment among men of a certain age.
Beautiful. Every time I have a particularly indulgent meal I can’t help but think about the day that it might catch up with me.
Such a wonderful story, Anna. Really moving and beautiful. The ending's just perfect.
Thank you, Rob! That means a lot to me.
A whole lotta love throughout this essay. A pleasure to read in every way.
Thank you David. I'm glad you felt it. Also, is it weird that I heard your comment in the voice of Robert Plant?
Not weird because its was an intentional reference as you surmised! One of my favorite LZ songs.
I wasn't quite sure, but... perfect!
Loved it, Anna. Your prose paints these vivid scenes that scroll one after the other delicately, almost imperceptibly. With your thoughts in-between. Like this: "I never thought to try and console my dad though. I guess because I simply didn't think of her as his mother."
Thank you! Wasn't sure that line would make sense.
Schott, hello 💐
Your writing. Just. Lovely.
You have beautiful gentle vibrations oozing out, reverberating to enchant.
I, personally, would like to save all your writing and print it all out, file it in a large A4 lever arch file....savour your reminiscing, all my rest of my life. You twang me so.
It's like a composite of sooo many writers, I've had the good fortune to read, over my life....
Thank you, Schott, you are a wonderful Earthling. 🙏🏻🧘🏻♀️🌌
(ps: I can identify, with your pa...me too, cardiac misbehaviour.
on trinitroglycerine or I think, it's called glyceral trinitrate...same diff, what the heck...I'm too much of a chicken (me being a vegetarian🙄) for the advised bypass...so far so good, six years after my doc hit the ball to my court.)
You take care.
Love to you and family 🙏🏻🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂💙🌛🌠🧘🏻♀️🌌
Thanks much, and glad you're doing well without that scary surgery!
Poignant with sparkly ending. Health cares bring us closer to the real in life.