Well Bryan, you got me to laugh uproariously at this one:
“I have no unfinished business with my parents, no unresolved conflict, no secrets to share. I love them without reservation and I know that same love. As a matter of fact, they love me more than they do my siblings.”
Well written. I thoroughly enjoyed your piece this week.
Bryan, I find your writing encouraging and insightful and more improtantly always thought provoking.
I have walked the walk with my parents a few years ahead of where you are and I understand all too well the tensions which exist in all the decisions. I recently stumbled upon a book I would offer to help frame all those thoughts, it is “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande. i would not be surprised if you have not already come across it, but if not I found it to be an important read at this point in my life.
Bryan: All birth order sequences come with mixed blessings and similar curses. #4 of six means you may have been left at church some frantic Sunday morning, but being #9 of nine means that you have the potential to attend the most funerals and miss those parents the longest. It's a bugger...
Bryan, I join your Dad in his affection for the Little League World Series!
Sigh. Our modern medical marvels have unquestionable upsides. But for extremely educated, trained and skilled surgeons adept at highly complex and delicate surgeries, I would not be alive today. And yet, there are downsides too. Longevity of life is not always matched by functionality. Declining parents often require significant interventions from their children or grandchildren -- physical assistance, financial buttressing or at least awareness, and logistical support. It can be very hard for everyone involved -- physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. We in the modern West have not figured out all the dimensions of aging well, or what it means to "be there" for our loved ones in a tolerant, accepting and loving manner. Or, at least, I haven't.
Wish I had 10% of your writing ability. Math and science major, lots to say about the left turn made by the current environmental cabal. Maybe I will break out Elements of Style and take a crack at it.
Bryan, your take on closed captioning is spot on, here’s another reason why— actors today mumble a lot, it’s an aspect of production that is routinely sloppy and unprofessional. We deserve better!
I haven't officially had the "hard" talk with my son yet, but have eluded to it enough, and he is smart. I know he knows, and I know he knows I know. I think I'm good there.
Well Bryan, you got me to laugh uproariously at this one:
“I have no unfinished business with my parents, no unresolved conflict, no secrets to share. I love them without reservation and I know that same love. As a matter of fact, they love me more than they do my siblings.”
Well written. I thoroughly enjoyed your piece this week.
Bryan, I find your writing encouraging and insightful and more improtantly always thought provoking.
I have walked the walk with my parents a few years ahead of where you are and I understand all too well the tensions which exist in all the decisions. I recently stumbled upon a book I would offer to help frame all those thoughts, it is “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande. i would not be surprised if you have not already come across it, but if not I found it to be an important read at this point in my life.
Please keep writing.
Bryan: All birth order sequences come with mixed blessings and similar curses. #4 of six means you may have been left at church some frantic Sunday morning, but being #9 of nine means that you have the potential to attend the most funerals and miss those parents the longest. It's a bugger...
Bryan, I join your Dad in his affection for the Little League World Series!
Sigh. Our modern medical marvels have unquestionable upsides. But for extremely educated, trained and skilled surgeons adept at highly complex and delicate surgeries, I would not be alive today. And yet, there are downsides too. Longevity of life is not always matched by functionality. Declining parents often require significant interventions from their children or grandchildren -- physical assistance, financial buttressing or at least awareness, and logistical support. It can be very hard for everyone involved -- physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. We in the modern West have not figured out all the dimensions of aging well, or what it means to "be there" for our loved ones in a tolerant, accepting and loving manner. Or, at least, I haven't.
Beautifully written. Much love to Jimmy and Mrs. Wires - I'll try to get by for a visit soon.
Wish I had 10% of your writing ability. Math and science major, lots to say about the left turn made by the current environmental cabal. Maybe I will break out Elements of Style and take a crack at it.
Good stuff.
White is great, Williamson is a brilliant read and English actors mumble.
Mute and closed captioning a blessings to all mankind.
Bryan, your take on closed captioning is spot on, here’s another reason why— actors today mumble a lot, it’s an aspect of production that is routinely sloppy and unprofessional. We deserve better!
I haven't officially had the "hard" talk with my son yet, but have eluded to it enough, and he is smart. I know he knows, and I know he knows I know. I think I'm good there.
I need to read more E.B. White.
Thanks
My Parents
It will take a bit of time to ponder on the subject. Much resonates with me as I am 87 going on 88 and my wife is 77.