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Jodi Sh. Doff's avatar

Oh, I loved this. You made me fall in love with Eda, who in my mind was played by an aging Sylvia Sidney. Energizer Bunny indeed. Thank you. This was wonderful and deserved a second life.

Deborah Sosin's avatar

Thanks, Jodi! Just seeing this now. She was a force of nature for sure. I had a feeling this one might resonate, for some strange reason. Thinking of you!

Jeff Ikler's avatar

You do look like your dad. This was a beautiful story. I felt like I was with you the whole time.

I do worry about the accumulation of stuff, so I've started to thin out material items that I don't need. It's amazing what we hold on to, perhaps as anchors of a longer life.

Deborah Sosin's avatar

Thanks, Jeff! I love "anchors." What an interesting way of looking at our stuff. I have boxes and boxes of audio and videotapes (with nothing to play them on) that are probably degraded from time or hot closets or who knows? I haven't figured out whether to try to listen/watch somehow or to trash them all. Ditto every college and grad school paper I ever wrote. Ditto...well, fill in the blank. Not easy!! Good for you for starting the divesting journey.

Jeff Ikler's avatar

probably some good stories in there

Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Beautiful essay, Deborah, that had been reflecting on the past and also thinking about the future.

Deborah Sosin's avatar

Thank you, Jeffrey! Yes, exactly. Maybe that's another "threshold"? The one we're teetering on now?

Wendy Griffiths's avatar

I can’t tell you how much of your story about your parents with a mix of Edna are exactly the same as mine.

It’s quite astonishing actually.

I loved your article and have shared it with numerous friends whose parents are in this phase of life.

I am so glad you reshared it from when it was written so long ago.

Deborah Sosin's avatar

Oh, thanks, Wendy! I'm so glad you could relate and thanks for sharing it. It's SO hard!

Polly Walker Blakemore's avatar

How fortunate to have a teacher like Edna in your life.

Deborah Sosin's avatar

Yes, true. I think of her often.

Abigail Thomas's avatar

You write long just as well as you write short! This was a great piece.

Deborah Sosin's avatar

Thank you so much, Abby! That means a lot. This essay is close to my heart and I'm so touched that people can relate. I've been feeling the pull to write long(er) again so we'll see what happens. How are you? How is your artwork coming along? Keep painting/drawing/posting!