So moving. As I've learned painfully, our western culture knows way too little about how to talk about death and, particularly in my case, about my son who died in 2017. Thank you, Reena.
Hi Reena, beautiful letter. I’m estranged from both my parents -- for very different reasons -- so I often wonder how I’ll feel when they die. I appreciate your thought provoking words.
Just read your essay. Sorry to hear about your parents. I just returned from India with my mom (remember you had interviewed her)? I'll pass your essay on to her too. Lets connect sometime.
Best wishes, and the very best for this new year - 2023. To new beginnings, and happy old memories.
Thanks for sharing your response to Samuel in Paris. I like your style of writing and, so, I enjoyed the response. Just like you, I also experienced the pain of losing my parents when it happened, even though I had been living without both of them for almost twenty years. I also felt, at their demise, a loss of a source of unconditional love and loss of an informal abode where I could walk in uninvited at any time and be totally free of all worldly worries -- I continue to experience the pain of this loss even today. Loss of parents takes away the source of strength that we need during our times of dificulties. Today I regret that before my parents were gone forever, I wish I had an opportunity to give them one last hug. But, we all know that end of our journey on the Earth is imminent.
So moving. As I've learned painfully, our western culture knows way too little about how to talk about death and, particularly in my case, about my son who died in 2017. Thank you, Reena.
Hi Reena, beautiful letter. I’m estranged from both my parents -- for very different reasons -- so I often wonder how I’ll feel when they die. I appreciate your thought provoking words.
I have two kids now and talked with my daughter about the cycle of life here (in my typically sarcastic way): https://open.substack.com/pub/agowani/p/my-daughter-and-i-had-the-talk-about-93d
You might enjoy it.
Hi Reena,
Just read your essay. Sorry to hear about your parents. I just returned from India with my mom (remember you had interviewed her)? I'll pass your essay on to her too. Lets connect sometime.
Best wishes, and the very best for this new year - 2023. To new beginnings, and happy old memories.
Hi Reena,
Thanks for sharing your response to Samuel in Paris. I like your style of writing and, so, I enjoyed the response. Just like you, I also experienced the pain of losing my parents when it happened, even though I had been living without both of them for almost twenty years. I also felt, at their demise, a loss of a source of unconditional love and loss of an informal abode where I could walk in uninvited at any time and be totally free of all worldly worries -- I continue to experience the pain of this loss even today. Loss of parents takes away the source of strength that we need during our times of dificulties. Today I regret that before my parents were gone forever, I wish I had an opportunity to give them one last hug. But, we all know that end of our journey on the Earth is imminent.
Keep on writing! It brings joy to others.
Jo W
Lovely, Reena. Just lovely.
What a beautiful letter, Reena, and so well written. This is going to be a very interesting exchange, that I will certainly follow.
What I was wondering, while reading the introduction, are the letters were written on a computer, or with pen and paper? Just curious.