Comments on: It is There

By: Ducky

Ducky — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 05:27:22 +0000

Tragically beautiful. So many memorable lines - but this:

It was there as I sat in our back room watching videos of my father over and over until the tape wore out and his image went missing.

Powerful.

Thank you for sharing.

By: Zara Potts

Zara Potts — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:03:50 +0000

Simply lovely.

By: Will Entrekin

Will Entrekin — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:01:57 +0000

That was gorgeously evocative. Or provocative. I can’t remember which. All I know is I felt that, so thank you for sharing it. I’m very glad it is a little bit over there, now. I like the idea of future generations bringing with them some hope that helps heal, in however small a way, the past.

“I was more than just the girl whose father killed himself.”

Yes, you truly are. I think this is a truly revelatory thing to express, and I hope you have found power in it. I always worry about groups like the one you mention, not in that they might not help people who seek it but that they might perhaps limit those who do to an identity, an action, a label. Everything that happens, everything we’ve done, is part of our identity, but I think we must be careful not to let it become our identity, nor build our identity around it.

Again, thanks for sharing it.

By: Brin Friesen

Brin Friesen — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:39:08 +0000

That really is a heartbreaking story but very moving to see you brave enough to tell it.

By: David S. Wills

David S. Wills — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:50:26 +0000

That’s a really sad story, Rachel. Really moving.

By: Simon Smithson

Simon Smithson — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:39:51 +0000

Like Kristen, I’m glad too that it has moved over from where it was.

And yes, this was good writing.

By: Marni Grossman

Marni Grossman — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:33:45 +0000

Rachel, you’re breaking my heart all over again. So vivid and affecting. Your son is so lucky to have you.

By: Kristen Elde

Kristen Elde — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:54:40 +0000

Powerful reflections, Rachel. Thanks for sharing.

And I’m glad that “not right here” has become “just a little bit over there,” as I can only imagine that it would bring some relief.

By: Stefan Kiesbye

Stefan Kiesbye — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:51:38 +0000

Rachel, what a stark and beautiful story. All constraint. You get the feeling for the work it takes to keep a day aligned. Such good writing.