23 Comments
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Lindsey B's avatar

Chuckles & tears. You always get me. You’re so good at capturing this illusive thing we call life.

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Maggie Perks's avatar

So good and wise and true! Thanks for articulating! 💕

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Beth Murphy's avatar

Jenny, this is so beautiful— I can’t stop crying and thinking about you and COMH. All those afternoons that seemed soooo long— how did we get here? You delight in those kids and it’s the greatest gift— and this essay is another gift to them— a concrete marker of your devotion. So true; the small things are what become imprinted; and you’ve given each one trillions of small moments with your dedication and your love of their details!! In five years from now, you must read this aloud to me as I lie in my bed, dear sister. It is truth and beauty. The lights going off, Lew declaring subtraction, the fractals, thinking of you writing this beauty in the days since he’s left— well, it all makes me very emotional. It’s perfect. I love you.

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jen parker's avatar

You know how my COMH gets me, because you get me. Thank you for another beautiful mini-essay-in-response. I will read this to you aloud the week after Milly leaves. In voices, of course. I love you so.

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Roy's avatar

Wonderful insights. All too fast, no doubt. We just dropped off the eldest... frankly, given FaceTime with us and siblings (as well as plenty of text exchanges), haven't yet had time to miss him! But we have realized just how much food he was putting away... thank goodness he's on all-you-can-eat at Uni!

Terrific to see you and Vic IRL... thanks again and keep it coming!

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jen parker's avatar

Similarly, I've realized how many bananas Gus ate. Now I watch them turn in the fruit bowl. A metaphor of some sad kind. Was so great to see you and Karen. I really treasure my Vella readership❤️

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Christopher Trzaska's avatar

Grown and Flown (or Thrown, as the case may well be) for erudite ex-English majors.

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jen parker's avatar

This really made me laugh. High brow Grown and Flown ;)

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Cary Platkin's avatar

Sophomores but still awkward. You’ll get the hang of it. We’re here to help!

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jen parker's avatar

Nah. You're the cool kids now.

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Karen Enich's avatar

As always Jen this so beautifully and thoughtfully written. And the “coming home” is always sweet but the “going” gets a tiny bit easier every time it happens. But “getting the details” can continue from near or far….and is always a treat! As you so aptly said - everyone and everything is exactly where they are supposed to be …and you have helped to make that all possible!

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jen parker's avatar

Thank you, Karen. As always. And I know you're right -- there's no expiration on details ❤️

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Tammy Nicastro's avatar

Thanks for articulating exactly why I feel the way I feel in this very moment of my life. And normalizing it in such a way that it all makes sense. The American moms and their kids in the Paris IKEA sound exactly like the duos in Target. ❤️

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jen parker's avatar

Thank you, Tammy ❤️ And funny to know that the plucky and exasperated cross international lines ;)

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Nancy Rzeszutko's avatar

Exactly what I am feeling! Beautifully written! Thank you!

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jen parker's avatar

I'm so happy to know it resonated, Nancy. Thank you for reading!

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Todd Yount's avatar

Jen- this is such a treat to read. Thank you!!!

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Marina Casey's avatar

Jen I love this💕

I miss them but I’m excited for them but secretly counting the days for their next fly by💕💕

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jen parker's avatar

Yup -- there's addition in the subtraction. And these college drop-offs make Thanksgiving the best holiday of the year. Countdown's def on ❤️

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Bart Bassett's avatar

Spot on - thanks for this

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jen parker's avatar

Thanks, Bart❤️ Enjoy all that buzzing and trilling you've got ;)

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Marci Riley's avatar

Perfect as always! Yesterday was day 1 of an empty house, with a freshman and senior in college. And it goes…

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jen parker's avatar

Def turn a couple of lights on tonight ❤️ Thank you for always reading, Marci.

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