Well, you reached into me and touched those old, suppressed wounds. That’s not a bad thing, and I do appreciate your perspective and can’t even make a valid argument (“yeah, but…”) Thank you for telling your story (and mine) with such tenderness and meaning. ❤️🩹
Those “last words” are not only for our parents. When our son was unexpectedly killed, we were blessed that our last time together included a good meal, hugs and I love yous. Our loss would be so much worse if we had harsh words or bad feelings as our last memories.
Shell, your story reminds me of words I have spoken to many of my friends who have heard those "last words," but not as last words, but words they will never forget. I can now posit that there is not a parent alive who has not heard those words from their teenager. It is part of the growing process, part of the dues a parent pays for not reading the book that accompanies the first or other born. Those words come with the territory. I agree that we should be watchful of potential "last words," but know that the many positive experiences and words prior and after, are far more important. Salt is needed.
An excellent point, similar to ‘never go to bed angry at each other’. Of course, we only remember the times when our words turned out to be the last ones we exchanged with a loved one. Your story of your parents dying just after a family event is very common. I think dying people often wait until after some event, or after a loved one arrives home, or sometimes until a loved one leaves.
They sure do wait. I think my mom waited until my daughter & I left the room and only my brother remained. He experienced the profound then. I think you may have read that in my story, “You Gotta Die of Something Part I & II”). If not, feel free to check it out.
Well, you reached into me and touched those old, suppressed wounds. That’s not a bad thing, and I do appreciate your perspective and can’t even make a valid argument (“yeah, but…”) Thank you for telling your story (and mine) with such tenderness and meaning. ❤️🩹
😥 Thank you for “interacting” with this piece. I do like my readers to find themselves in my stories.
Those “last words” are not only for our parents. When our son was unexpectedly killed, we were blessed that our last time together included a good meal, hugs and I love yous. Our loss would be so much worse if we had harsh words or bad feelings as our last memories.
Amen! Such a blessing to have those words etched into your memories in such a profound loss. 🙏🏼
I love the ending part when you talk about seasoning our conversations with salt and not sugar. Well done!
Thanks so much 😊
Oh, and what a delicious invite to read your coming book.
Shell, your story reminds me of words I have spoken to many of my friends who have heard those "last words," but not as last words, but words they will never forget. I can now posit that there is not a parent alive who has not heard those words from their teenager. It is part of the growing process, part of the dues a parent pays for not reading the book that accompanies the first or other born. Those words come with the territory. I agree that we should be watchful of potential "last words," but know that the many positive experiences and words prior and after, are far more important. Salt is needed.
An excellent point, similar to ‘never go to bed angry at each other’. Of course, we only remember the times when our words turned out to be the last ones we exchanged with a loved one. Your story of your parents dying just after a family event is very common. I think dying people often wait until after some event, or after a loved one arrives home, or sometimes until a loved one leaves.
They sure do wait. I think my mom waited until my daughter & I left the room and only my brother remained. He experienced the profound then. I think you may have read that in my story, “You Gotta Die of Something Part I & II”). If not, feel free to check it out.
https://shellnorman.substack.com/p/you-gotta-die-of-something?r=44j6y7&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I think we all can recall this story at sometime in our past. Nice reminder how words can hurt.
So true… A nice reminder indeed! Thanks for sharing.