26 Comments
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Roy Vella's avatar

Thought I got out unscathed! Seriously, thought to myself "That was just the right balance of nostalgia, humor and insight... barely choked up at all!"

So I let my guard down towards the end and then Lew weighs in with his wisdom at the bottom of the ninth and he got me! That kid...

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jen parker's avatar

Lew will get you every time ;)

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Lara Krpata's avatar

So beautiful. Felt every word about the slide. And I'm sorry for the loss of Boppa. May he rest in peace.

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jen parker's avatar

Thank you, Lara❤️

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Nancy Paynter's avatar

It takes 10 minutes tops.

And then they leave.

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Nancy Paynter's avatar

So true! Great piece Jen!!!

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jen parker's avatar

Was prob closer to nine minutes honestly.

Thank you, Nancy❤️

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Maggie Perks's avatar

Cheers to soundtracks of our kids’ childhoods and to Boppa—what a wonderful man he was. And to you, for sharing another fabulous piece with us! ❤️

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jen parker's avatar

He really was❤️and thank you, MP❤️

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Christopher Trzaska's avatar

I still have one of those well-curated mix tapes somewhere. I well recall much of it— perfect for fits of idleness and melancholy than any fitness, however. Bob Mould sends his regards.

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jen parker's avatar

A mix wasn't a mix without Heartbreak a Stranger...which I'm now playing as I type.

"Well, days come and days go by

So it matters, so you say."

It's still 1992 in my heart.

And you were a mean mixer in our day too, Trzaska. I still have one somewhere too ❤️

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Kathy's avatar

Just amazing, as usual!

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jen parker's avatar

Thank you for your support, Kathy ❤️ As usual!

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Meaghan Schaefer's avatar

A lovely tribute to your Boppa and so so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy and what a beautiful way for a grandson to describe that special relationship. Sending hugs to the entire Parker family.

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jen parker's avatar

Thank you, Meaghan❤️Lew continues to find beautiful and heartbreaking ways to describe this loss. He told us the other night he'd lost his true colors and would never sing again.💔

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Irena Smith's avatar

Oh, Jen. This made me cry and your second-semester senior isn't even my second-semester senior (although having gotten to know her in a much less full way than you I can feel clearly how viscerally her presence will be missed). Beautiful writing, beautiful insights. I think we'll need to schedule extra Coffeebar sessions to fill the void.

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jen parker's avatar

Thank you, my friend ❤️ Does Coffeebar do residencies I wonder??

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Amy Andrews | RiPE's avatar

Poignant and beautiful, Jen. Thank you as always! Mixed tapes, keeping some of the color to ourselves (I feel! haha), time, the leaving, the memories, and now Boppa, passing on in all the sad and wonderful ways. Prone to delight. It's available to us all, if we don't get distracted. Sending love. AA

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jen parker's avatar

Ah, you're so right: available to us all. I love that. Thanks for reading, Amy❤️

And you know: mixed tapes 4-evahhhhhhhhh.

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Tiffany Bassett's avatar

For a myriad of reasons, this took me four tries to finish due to excessive crying. Such a glorious slide, and such a glorious life for Boppa. xoxo

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jen parker's avatar

We have entered the Spring of our Not Okay. I'll dry your tears if you dry mine ❤️

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Susanjobs's avatar

Beautiful Jen. A beautiful life. You said it so perfectly.

Hugs Sue ❤️

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jen parker's avatar

Also beautiful friends ❤️

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Peter Enich's avatar

He will be missed. Peace to you all…❤️

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jen parker's avatar

He really will. Thank you, Peter❤️

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Meaghan Schaefer's avatar

That boy is a poet. Incredible.

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