34 Comments
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Apr 1Liked by Debby Waldman-What To Believe

I’m not crying, you’re crying.

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We're both crying.

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Apr 12Liked by Debby Waldman-What To Believe

I don’t know what to say other than you write about your feelings so beautifully and I am learning so much from your writing.

That photo of Noah and you was fabulous and he is definitely his father’s son.

I have to check but I am pretty sure my 16 year old granddaughter loves that singer as well.

So glad your dear son made it through that crisis.

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Thank you, Susan. Noah is such a good kid. I am so thankful he came through that awful time.

And now I want to know if indeed kahan is the singer your niece loves.

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Apr 8Liked by Debby Waldman-What To Believe

Such a beautiful piece. I lost a friend to suicide in high school and it's the hardest thing to talk about. Thank you for making me cry in the very best way.

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Oh, thank you, Michelle. I hope you've found people to talk about it with. (I'm here if you need more people on that list.)

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Apr 8Liked by Debby Waldman-What To Believe

So beautiful! My daughter also turned my husband and I onto Noah Kahan. I love how cross-generational he is. Going to have to pay closer attention to his lyrics now.

Also, a great concert is like church or synagogue or mosque. Communion. Transcendence.

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After the concert, my husband (who is not Jewish and knows fewer NK songs than I) said, "That was like being in temple where everybody is speaking Hebrew and I couldn't join in." !

Thanks for letting me know you liked the essay. (The Kahan songs I can't get out of my head now are "Growing Sideways," "Dial Drunk," and "New Perspective." "Orange Juice" is close behind...)

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Thanks for the list!

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Apr 2Liked by Debby Waldman-What To Believe

Debby, this is fantastic writing. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful piece.

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Wow. Thank you so much, Kathleen. That means a lot coming from someone like you.

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Apr 2Liked by Debby Waldman-What To Believe

I’m seeing Noah Kahan in Sept with my 16yo daughter :)

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Oh, you are in for such a treat! He was incredible. I can't get his songs out of my head. Last night I turned my violin into a mandolin so I could try to play "All My Love." (I am a better violinist. Because I have no clue how to play the mandolin. But the strings are the same...)

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Apr 1Liked by Debby Waldman-What To Believe

Thanks for turning on the lights. I remember the absence of Dave and Noah at the at TBO memorial for your mom. I asked where Noah was and if he was ok. Without batting an eye you told me. My heart was broken for you, the family and Noah. To watch how things have moved forward over the last six years has touched my heart and actually given me strength when shitty crazy things have happened in my life.

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Oh. Sharon. Thank you for sharing that. That day was such a blur. I remember being afraid to talk to people because I was so upended by what was happening. I never could have imagined a positive outcome -- and yet...

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Apr 1Liked by Debby Waldman-What To Believe

Debby, you are a wonderful writer. I admire your honesty about family challenges. And you can always make me cry.

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Thank you!!

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Apr 1Liked by Debby Waldman-What To Believe

Debby: Thank you for sharing so honestly and bringing your family's painful journey into the light for us all the feel the connectedness of our human experiences. particularly the darkest ones that mostly stay hidden in the shadows. What a cathartic full circle moment at the concert - beautiful. Wishing you all continued healing.

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Thank you, Ruth, for reading the essay and letting me know you you felt about it. That connectedness you mention—we shouldn't ever lose sight of how important it is.

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Apr 1Liked by Debby Waldman-What To Believe

Very moving, Debby with a y. Glad I could be a part of it.

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I am so grateful to you guys. You have no idea. Thank you again. And again. And then some.

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Apr 1Liked by Debby Waldman-What To Believe

This had me in tears.

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Thanks, Jill. (It made me cry, too. And I wrote it...)

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Apr 1Liked by Debby Waldman-What To Believe

I’m full of gladness that Noah is well and introducing you to music that opens doors, so that you can step through one of them and be present for someone who needs yoy and will never forget you. Thank you for this essay.

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Thank you, Rona. I feel like it was such a bashert experience—everything leading up to it (my life) and then being able to turn it into an essay that worked. (If only everything came together so clearly. After 50 years...)

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Apr 1Liked by Debby Waldman-What To Believe

Debby,

Inspiring and a reminder of how human touch and IRL interaction is irreplaceable for connectedness. Thanks for this essay.

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Thank you, David. It was a joy to write this one, to pull in so many threads that have been dangling loose in my writing head for years.

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Apr 13Liked by Debby Waldman-What To Believe

I will ask her, she is actually my second oldest granddaughter who is in a baseball tournament as I write this. I have a lousy cold so may not get together with them later on today for our son in laws BD. Heading your way on Tuesday so may have a chance to see you.

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Apr 3Liked by Debby Waldman-What To Believe

And, I just started to listen to Noah Kahan on Spotify, because of you!

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Nu? What's your favorite song so far?

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Apr 3Liked by Debby Waldman-What To Believe

I haven't listened to enough to decide. Give me a few days. I will especially seek out - Call Your Mother, though.

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Also Growing Sideways, Dial Drunk, She Calls Me Back, Come Over, All My Love, Stick Season, and New Perspective.

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Apr 2Liked by Debby Waldman-What To Believe

Debby, how moving and beautiful this essay is. I remember you writing about Noah and I am so glad he is alive and able to share wonderful things with you and your family. How powerful is that?! Follow the signs- yes - and how fabulous that YOU are open to them and watching for them. Ye’ she’ koach.

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Thank you, Nancy. I look back at the last six years and am so grateful that things have gone the way they have. Six years ago at this time, life was very bleak indeed around here. Time sure makes a difference. I remind myself and my family of that, when things are awful—that they can get better (sometimes they can get worse. I'm well aware. But I try to be positive).

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