34 Comments
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Maggie Perks's avatar

Knew I had to wait for a quiet moment for this one and I’m glad I did. So beautiful. So painfully beautiful. And I can hardly wait to know what that “haunting little sentence” is!

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jen parker's avatar

Thanks for spending some quiet time with me ❤️ will bring the sentence to lunch ;)

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Alice Goldbloom's avatar

Beautiful and perfect. You always capture how big life is. Thank you

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jen parker's avatar

How big life is. Alice, I love that. Thank you❤️

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Kathie Coart's avatar

Beautiful and sad

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jen parker's avatar

I know, Kathie. Thank you so much for reading❤️

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amy kacher's avatar

As always just right to the core. Reading this was comforting. I think in your youngest you might have a truly authentic stoic.

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jen parker's avatar

I'm really heartened to hear you found it comforting. That was the goal but of course it's hard to over-write the sadness. And yup, L is the real deal❤️

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Jenny Risk's avatar

How do you capture everything that is in our hearts? Thank you, Jen, for this gift of an essay.

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jen parker's avatar

Thank you for always reading and writing back, my friend ❤️

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Lindsey O'Connor's avatar

Such a beautiful essay.

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jen parker's avatar

Thanks so much for reading, Lindsey ❤️

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Lindsey O'Connor's avatar

My pleasure.

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Beth Murphy's avatar

Startlingly beautiful. I’m so very moved and I’m once again reminded of how thoughtfully you are leading L through the world, and how you let him lead you— there is such revelation and wonderment for each of you. Childhood bedrooms are always haunted places, but you’ve made them comforting and inviting, even while we consider the vacancies. It’s so hard to confront grief; I know this will help anyone who is looking for some light. Love you guys.

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jen parker's avatar

You always see it so clearly, B. We are leading each other - exactly ❤️

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Irena Smith's avatar

"It is gray and has rained or will rain." So achingly beautiful (and reminded me of Wallace Stevens' "13 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird"—"It was snowing / And it was going to snow"). I am so, so sorry for the loss and hope with all my heart that the small miracles ("Boppa! You're alive again today!," and the nails clickety-clacking on the keyboard, making swift and sure changes, and the eventual, inevitable return of the sun) bring at least a measure of comfort.

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jen parker's avatar

Well, I'm also not the kind of English major who knows references and stuff, so the Wallace Stevens was news to me, but you're not the first smart reader to cite the comparison. And I'll take it! Also it strikes me I should introduce the two of you because you'd love each other and she'd be great for our imaginary brownstone. Thank you for always reading and commenting so thoughtfully, my friend❤️ PS - you KNOW those nails ;)

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Irena Smith's avatar

I not only know those nails, I'm deeply envious of those nails. And I am all for adding kindred spirits to our imaginary brownstone! (It's in Greenwich Village, right?)

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Caty Everett's avatar

My goodness, Jen. You’ve done it again. So grateful for you and your eyes, heart and voice in this world. Keep going. We all need you and your words.

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jen parker's avatar

Thank you, Caty❤️I'll take every Keep Going I can get. I know you understand ;)

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Roy Vella's avatar

You need to start with some warning labels or something... maybe a tissue emoji or the like? Seems fair so we can be prepared.

So so sorry to learn of the difficult days. Lew's silver lining is the beauty and innocence he brings to us all. Loved “Good morning, Boppa! You’re alive again today!”; seems a life motto we should all adopt. Appreciate every day.

One question: assuming that the last 3 acronyms are for individuals and not teenage messages that I'm too old to follow... no need to reply if that is correct!

Hang in there. And thank you for sharing.

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jen parker's avatar

Warning labels: noted ;)

Yes: Alive again today! Maybe I should make t-shirts??

No need to google those letters -- they are initials ❤️

And thank you for reading and engaging as you always do, Roy. It means a lot.

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Lindsey B's avatar

So beautiful.

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jen parker's avatar

Thank you, Linds❤️

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Todd Yount's avatar

So beautifully written! Your essays always capture my imagination and make me ponder so many things. Thanks for sharing your talents and connecting with your audience through the lives of your beautiful family.

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jen parker's avatar

Happy to get you pondering, Todd ;) Thank you for reading and writing back❤️

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Chuck Fontana's avatar

Such a lovely essay, thank you for sharing, Jen.

I am heartbroken for you and Vic, to contend such a time of grief and loss. Thinking of you all - all my love! XOXO, Chuck

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jen parker's avatar

Thank you, Chuck❤️

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Bill Wolf's avatar

Yep, spot on as usual, Jen. Simply: thank you.

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jen parker's avatar

Thank you, Bill❤️

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Peter Enich's avatar

Peace....

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jen parker's avatar

So excited by your family news. The brightest of spots!❤️

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dsternsf's avatar

This is wonderful! Thx.

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jen parker's avatar

Thank you for reading!

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