Heartbreaking, Shell. How selfless you and your family are to care for your dying mother. It's probably one of the greatest sacrifices of life. I'm surprised my mother's liver was ok. She stopped drinking, though. She was too sick in her remaining years. I look forward to Part 2. :)
Oh Shell, you have such a way with words. You bring the reader into your space and your heart. As a physician, I wish I could have been there to spare you and your husband what I did so many times as a medical student and surgical resident, without the anguish you experienced. You are a master of language. I look forward to parts II, III, and beyond...if you can stand it emotionally.
This is beautiful, Shell. Thank you. You make room for both grace and dignity in this piece, and that’s a wonderful gift to your mom’s memory and the reader.
On those rare occasional when I sit down to truthfully tell the hard stories of my life, I often am unable to find either grace or dignity, and, even so many years later, feel depleted and fearful that I may I spent my allowance of both in the moment, and have none left for the telling.
Again, great work. Thanks for showing the possible.
Just found your Substack and this is the first thing I read. Love how open you are and so glad I subscribed. Describing dying is so important to break people’s TV idea of it.
Heartbreaking, Shell. How selfless you and your family are to care for your dying mother. It's probably one of the greatest sacrifices of life. I'm surprised my mother's liver was ok. She stopped drinking, though. She was too sick in her remaining years. I look forward to Part 2. :)
Thank you for delving into this story. It was hard, but it also went more smoothly than I could have imagined.
It is hard to write about caring for someone close to you. Your story is beautifully written, and I hope brings you a sense of peace.
I really appreciate your comment. Thank you. I do have peace about it all . . . mostly.
Man, I’m so invested in your mom’s story!
Someday I’ll share my dad’s story too. But I am working on a book, and his is in it.
Can’t wait to read about him’
Oh Shell, you have such a way with words. You bring the reader into your space and your heart. As a physician, I wish I could have been there to spare you and your husband what I did so many times as a medical student and surgical resident, without the anguish you experienced. You are a master of language. I look forward to parts II, III, and beyond...if you can stand it emotionally.
Thank you and stay tuned. I will call up more memories and get them clicked out on these keys.
This is beautiful, Shell. Thank you. You make room for both grace and dignity in this piece, and that’s a wonderful gift to your mom’s memory and the reader.
On those rare occasional when I sit down to truthfully tell the hard stories of my life, I often am unable to find either grace or dignity, and, even so many years later, feel depleted and fearful that I may I spent my allowance of both in the moment, and have none left for the telling.
Again, great work. Thanks for showing the possible.
Those are beautiful words from you right there! 😭
This stuff is tough to write, and my story is not that. But I sympathize with many details.
Thank you for saying so—that’s nice encouragement to be sure b/c yes, it’s tough to write. Something made me do it, though.
Just found your Substack and this is the first thing I read. Love how open you are and so glad I subscribed. Describing dying is so important to break people’s TV idea of it.
I am so happy you are here and we can make a connection.
Woe. I like the details. Such a tough time, but you were there
I remember this extremely difficult time in your family’s life. You persevered with grace. Excellent piece of writing to convey this struggle.