Don’t listen to that random guy — we love that you’re sharing pieces of your past with us! Thank you for these essays; I know they mean a lot to me and I’m certain so many people enjoy them.
(Also I love your Josh and Donna observations, always.)
We all revisit the past, every time we look at a photo album or a home movie. Not all of us get to do it through rewatching our work on screen, but we do in our own way. Also I’ll never understand why random people on the internet feel the need to give unsolicited opinions on how to live our lives. 😂 🙄
So well said. A wise friend shared something with me after my dad passed. Grief is not something you get over or move thru… it’s something we carry. Much like other parts of our past - it is a part of us. The two cannot exist independently of one another.
Love your writing. Also, with regard to 'living in the past' totally agree: our pasts become the larger part of our lives. Lately I've been drawn to reminiscing about my childhood in the 1970s and the treasure trove of memories brings some sadness but, mainly, great comfort and a sense of anchoring.
The Crackpots and These Women is one of my all-time favorites. Who cannot LOVE Big Block of Cheese Day, and CJ with the wolves and their highway--her snarky comments still crack me up every time. I also adore Josh's mini-journey in this episode--and I love that several seasons later, Donna shares her wise insight that Josh's trauma is losing people. This is the seed of that. <3
As for your mother's purse . . . it's been nearly 18 years since my mother left us, dying just a week shy of the one-year anniversary of my father's passing. They were both too young. We moved shortly after her funeral (something planned before her death), and I had to go through everything in her house and make very fast decisions over what was to be given away and what I'd take with me to Florida. I found that I couldn't *not* take her glasses, her wallet with her license, her phone . . . doing so would have dealt a blow of finality that I wasn't ready to face yet.
We've moved three more times since then, and I've slowly, slowly, slowly let go of those things that no longer serve her--or me. Nowadays, I try to hold on tighter to the stories about my parents that I share with my grandchildren, tales of the great-grandparents they'll never know. But I'm glad that you kept your mother's handbag. And I'm glad for you that you have. those sweet memories.
Oh man, so sorry to hear about your mother’s death. About the “living in the past” thing… I’ve been accused of this when I talk about one of my children who died MANY years ago. But no, when you’re bringing your past along with you into the present/future and infusing it with whatever wisdom you’ve gained along the way, that is NOT living in the past. Our pasts are always with us, along for the ride, and as we age, we look back from a different point of view.
I just started my second rewatch of West Wing a few days ago so I’ll check out your hair, haha. It’s probably pretty.
I'm running through the entire series again right now. I'm currently early in season 4. I have found that at 56, I feel I've let my mind get a bit lazy
as of late. But once I began running through the WW episodes, it's like it has woken once again and sharpened. My political acumen - which has always been there somewhere, has deepened again. How lucky you were to be part of that show - that cast - those writers. They really don't make television like that very often. Every American should watch the series - at least once. Truly, a beautiful work.
Yes we are protective of you! Living in the past? Glad he provided a writing prompt and at the same time that person should have watched today’s Morning Joe interview with Bradley Whitford. Watching TTW now is inspirational. It reminds us of the hopes we once had about our country and what we can dream of for the future. And yes, how each of us can and should strive to be the best versions of ourselves as you so beautiful wrote. Watching the show now is the only surefire way I have found to get a good night’s sleep, and I am eternally grateful for that. I am so sorry for your loss. May your mother’s memory be a blessing.
The guy who DM’d you is a turd. We are all so lucky to have the opportunity to look fondly on the past, not only at something you loved making but that we loved watching. Thank you for sharing <3
Haha I love how protective you all are!!! He gave me a writing prompt so all good:)
Beautiful reflection, Janel. Also, said William Faulkner: "The past is never dead. It's not even past."
Time is not linear.
You’re revisiting, not living, in the past. I am so happy you are! Also, eff that guy. ❤️
Don’t listen to that random guy — we love that you’re sharing pieces of your past with us! Thank you for these essays; I know they mean a lot to me and I’m certain so many people enjoy them.
(Also I love your Josh and Donna observations, always.)
We all revisit the past, every time we look at a photo album or a home movie. Not all of us get to do it through rewatching our work on screen, but we do in our own way. Also I’ll never understand why random people on the internet feel the need to give unsolicited opinions on how to live our lives. 😂 🙄
So well said. A wise friend shared something with me after my dad passed. Grief is not something you get over or move thru… it’s something we carry. Much like other parts of our past - it is a part of us. The two cannot exist independently of one another.
Love your writing. Also, with regard to 'living in the past' totally agree: our pasts become the larger part of our lives. Lately I've been drawn to reminiscing about my childhood in the 1970s and the treasure trove of memories brings some sadness but, mainly, great comfort and a sense of anchoring.
The Crackpots and These Women is one of my all-time favorites. Who cannot LOVE Big Block of Cheese Day, and CJ with the wolves and their highway--her snarky comments still crack me up every time. I also adore Josh's mini-journey in this episode--and I love that several seasons later, Donna shares her wise insight that Josh's trauma is losing people. This is the seed of that. <3
As for your mother's purse . . . it's been nearly 18 years since my mother left us, dying just a week shy of the one-year anniversary of my father's passing. They were both too young. We moved shortly after her funeral (something planned before her death), and I had to go through everything in her house and make very fast decisions over what was to be given away and what I'd take with me to Florida. I found that I couldn't *not* take her glasses, her wallet with her license, her phone . . . doing so would have dealt a blow of finality that I wasn't ready to face yet.
We've moved three more times since then, and I've slowly, slowly, slowly let go of those things that no longer serve her--or me. Nowadays, I try to hold on tighter to the stories about my parents that I share with my grandchildren, tales of the great-grandparents they'll never know. But I'm glad that you kept your mother's handbag. And I'm glad for you that you have. those sweet memories.
Oh man, so sorry to hear about your mother’s death. About the “living in the past” thing… I’ve been accused of this when I talk about one of my children who died MANY years ago. But no, when you’re bringing your past along with you into the present/future and infusing it with whatever wisdom you’ve gained along the way, that is NOT living in the past. Our pasts are always with us, along for the ride, and as we age, we look back from a different point of view.
I just started my second rewatch of West Wing a few days ago so I’ll check out your hair, haha. It’s probably pretty.
I'm running through the entire series again right now. I'm currently early in season 4. I have found that at 56, I feel I've let my mind get a bit lazy
as of late. But once I began running through the WW episodes, it's like it has woken once again and sharpened. My political acumen - which has always been there somewhere, has deepened again. How lucky you were to be part of that show - that cast - those writers. They really don't make television like that very often. Every American should watch the series - at least once. Truly, a beautiful work.
We love you, we love TWW, it is what makes us us (partly!)
Yes we are protective of you! Living in the past? Glad he provided a writing prompt and at the same time that person should have watched today’s Morning Joe interview with Bradley Whitford. Watching TTW now is inspirational. It reminds us of the hopes we once had about our country and what we can dream of for the future. And yes, how each of us can and should strive to be the best versions of ourselves as you so beautiful wrote. Watching the show now is the only surefire way I have found to get a good night’s sleep, and I am eternally grateful for that. I am so sorry for your loss. May your mother’s memory be a blessing.
The guy who DM’d you is a turd. We are all so lucky to have the opportunity to look fondly on the past, not only at something you loved making but that we loved watching. Thank you for sharing <3
i just catch up, i am late i know.
Good choice about your son learning french lmao ;)
And btw The Crackpots and These Women is one of my favorite episode especially the card part od josh. We saw how josh, he really is
Our past brings us to where we are today, so it should be
rightfully be reflected upon to ensure that we acknowledge & appreciate how we arrive to this point in time.
Thank you, lady. It’s truly special when you share your story and tender parts. What a beautiful way of words. XO