29 Comments

Hey, I remembered this one. I read this when you published it. I'd already “liked” it. I still like it. The ending is funny. They were both trying to protect the other and both knew. I miss old photos. Seeing yours made me want to dig out my photo albums. It's odd how technology has advanced so much that our pictures look more realistic, yet photographs from fifty years ago seem more natural. Maybe that's the nostalgia speaking. Anywho, I enjoyed the essay. You carried the scenes well and didn't dawdle on unnecessary details. Many people get caught up trying to spew every detail as if they're David Foster Wallace and unless you're David Foster Wallace or Thomas Wolfe, too many details can lose a reader’s interest. Maybe that's just me. I also thought it was interesting that you kind of knew your dad knew. You could sense it. Maybe you saw it in his face. I don't know. Sometimes we just sense these things, I suppose. Well, I’ve gone on long enough. Thanks for letting me read this, Terry.

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Nov 11, 2023·edited Nov 11, 2023Author

Thanks Corey. I knew that he knew because of the way he looked at me. And I sensed it.

I agree about the photos. Perhaps it's partly that the old ones age over time a bit, and also that modern ones are too crisp, too perfect. I dunno. Interesting point, I'd not thought about that before.

Details: thanks. I'm a firm believer that (a) less is more and (b) a well-chosen word or phrase is worth a whole paragraph of persiflage. I also think that nine times out of ten the writing you allude to is not authentic, but the product of people trying to be something they're not, or rather trying to APPEAR to be something they're not. Perhaps I'm being unkind, but there you are

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Jun 7, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

I wonder if they had of done the trachea procedure right there and not moved your Father to the Operating room he may have l survived, such procedures are often done in emergency situations by first on the scene persons ...just wondering. Nice story and lovely ending ..the bonds of love

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Thanks. He was too ill to have survived

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Both protecting each other - that’s love! Nicely written and very ‘real’, for want of a better word.

Real people! Your Dad looked and sounded like a lovely man.

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Thanks, Dorinda. He was! he was A very gentle soul

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Read this again tonight thanks to your link from a more recent post. Heartbreaking and beautiful writing, Terry.

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Thanks Rebecca

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Beautiful tribute to your dad, Terry.

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Thanks very much, Kathleen

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A beautiful story.

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Thank you, Miriam

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People who love, trying to protect each other, yes. The photos and memories are so good--thank you for sharing this. A lot of love here.

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Trying to protect each other, yes :-)

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(BTW, I'm hoping you're okay with me mentioning our earlier exchange in this piece I'm about to post about my dad... can I add a link to your newsletter too??)

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Of course. I haven't changed my mind. Thanks for checking. Would appreciate a link to my newsletter, definitely. To the Bravery article if it fits I but whatever you like, Alison. I look forward to reading yours 😊

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Thank you! Now posted...

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Oh Terry, such a beautiful, beautiful piece of writing. So full of so much, particularly love. I deeply appreciated reading it. Thank you.

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What, despite my admission that I spent a lot of time drinking tea and reading a comic?! Thanks for kind words, Rebecca.

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LOL! Time spent drinking tea and doing any kind of reading is never wasted, Terry.

And you’re ever so welcome.

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😂

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Whew--this one really got me, Terry. What a beautiful story of love and the tragedy of having to say goodbye. A really good piece of writing here. Thank you for sharing it.

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Thank you, Holly.

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Wow. What a twist in the end. That was beautifully written.

My dad has an aggressive form of brain cancer atm, so it touched me particularly deeply. Thank you.

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Thank you, Medha. I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I hardly dare ask, but is it curable? Wishing you and your family lots of healing thoughts

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The irony, Terry, of the closing got me right in the heart. A marvelous tribute and heartfelt telling. Heart to heart, Mary

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Thanks, Mary. Yes, I feel upset every time I think of it.

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RIP - that's quite a story. Cheers.

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Thanks, Mark.

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