This showed up in my feed and I love it for the book recommendations and the picture of this unlikely friendship. What a treasure to be able to capture and share the beauty of these neighborly affections that make our lives so rich. It inspires me to right about my “across-the-street neighbor” who needed our care before passing away during Covid. My husband and I became a nurses, of a sort. It all started with a neighbor taking our trash bin to the curb every week.
Thanks for this Debby. Joan sent me the link. I'm the minister at Joan and Bill's church. Brings tears as I remember Bill, his life, his death - he is an incredible soul - and visits with him before and after his diagnosis with ALS. I'd like to share it with the congregation if it's ok with you and Joan.
Thanks for your note. Please do share the essay with the congregation. If people can read it on my Substack, that would be great. (Can people read it without a Substack account?)
What a beautiful story. Made me think of our friend who was diagnosed at age 50. We had Sunday night dinners. Preparation was mindful and became more so over time as his ability to eat and swallow changed. When he could no longer eat, I could no longer cook. My husband took over and we spent the time with him and his wife. He lived with ALS for 5 years. Our group of friends learned lots about life and death over those years. There were hard lessons but some priceless moments. And to this day we still have dinner every Sunday with his wife and son.
Great essay. It reminded me of Will Shwalbe's End of Your Life Book Club about reading with his mom. Will's new book is also a fabulous read, We Should Not Be Friends. I am a huge Miriam Toews fan so what a thrill to see your selections and what you discussed!
Thank you—for the compliment and the recommendation of Will Schwalbe's new book, which I will check out. Did you see the movie, "Women Talking"? I think I've watched it three times. I could not get into the book but boy did I like the movie.
I loved WOMEN TALKING as a book first. I still can't stop loving her simple prose. Maybe it's because I've heard Mennonites in Ontario talk like this. The book came out as the #MeToo movement started to unfold and I kept thinking those women's conversations are the ones we needed to have but the media isn't capable of capturing the complexity and nuance to these deep issues. I did like the film. It stayed close to the narrative vision in the book. I've read all of Miriam Toew's novels. Its her voice. Clear as a bell in my head.
This showed up in my feed and I love it for the book recommendations and the picture of this unlikely friendship. What a treasure to be able to capture and share the beauty of these neighborly affections that make our lives so rich. It inspires me to right about my “across-the-street neighbor” who needed our care before passing away during Covid. My husband and I became a nurses, of a sort. It all started with a neighbor taking our trash bin to the curb every week.
Thank you. I'd be interested to read about your experience. Let me know if you write about it.
Thanks for this Debby. Joan sent me the link. I'm the minister at Joan and Bill's church. Brings tears as I remember Bill, his life, his death - he is an incredible soul - and visits with him before and after his diagnosis with ALS. I'd like to share it with the congregation if it's ok with you and Joan.
Jim Lochhead
Hi Jim,
Thanks for your note. Please do share the essay with the congregation. If people can read it on my Substack, that would be great. (Can people read it without a Substack account?)
Sincerely,
Debby
kindness matters. What a warm, giving experience.
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing this, Debby. Very beautiful. 🙏
thank you!
What a beautiful story. Made me think of our friend who was diagnosed at age 50. We had Sunday night dinners. Preparation was mindful and became more so over time as his ability to eat and swallow changed. When he could no longer eat, I could no longer cook. My husband took over and we spent the time with him and his wife. He lived with ALS for 5 years. Our group of friends learned lots about life and death over those years. There were hard lessons but some priceless moments. And to this day we still have dinner every Sunday with his wife and son.
oh wow, sharon, that is beautiful!
Great essay. It reminded me of Will Shwalbe's End of Your Life Book Club about reading with his mom. Will's new book is also a fabulous read, We Should Not Be Friends. I am a huge Miriam Toews fan so what a thrill to see your selections and what you discussed!
Thank you—for the compliment and the recommendation of Will Schwalbe's new book, which I will check out. Did you see the movie, "Women Talking"? I think I've watched it three times. I could not get into the book but boy did I like the movie.
I loved WOMEN TALKING as a book first. I still can't stop loving her simple prose. Maybe it's because I've heard Mennonites in Ontario talk like this. The book came out as the #MeToo movement started to unfold and I kept thinking those women's conversations are the ones we needed to have but the media isn't capable of capturing the complexity and nuance to these deep issues. I did like the film. It stayed close to the narrative vision in the book. I've read all of Miriam Toew's novels. Its her voice. Clear as a bell in my head.
What a lovely story Debby!
Thank you!