Sherman - I've been pretty obsessed with your work for a long while, but You Dont Have to Say You Love Me easily grabs the top spot for hardest-hitting, most meaningful impact. Given the difference in scale, He Blinded Me can't possibly compete and yet it does. So much humanity packed into such a tight space, it's ridiculous. As Jack Nicholson said in one of his movies "You make me want to be a better man." Better yet, you provide meaningful concrete and metaphorical guidelines how to do so.
Rocky! Quick! Fast as you can, go get a copy of You Dont Have to Say You Love Me. It's exactly what you seek, need. Then buy more copies and send to your friends so they can begin to understand how "all this" came to be. My appologies if this is a redundant message. I am new to social media of any kind (is this social media?!? I dont quite get how it all works.
He was such a gift to you, providing encouragement, affirmation, and inspiration. You in turn, provide the same to us, your devoted readers, through your words. Thank you.
Hello, Mr. Alexie. My students are truly enjoying reading your book Part-Time Indian and posts like this one. Here are a few questions my students have, if you're able to respond: 1. What has motivated you the most through difficult times? 2. Besides your chemistry teacher, who has been an inspiration to you? What did that person say or do that made the biggest impact? 3. In your life, what lessons have you learned? Any lessons from the reservation that transferred over to “the other world” or the other way around (off-rez lessons that you bring to rez life)? Thanks for your time,
Powerful and moving, as always! This is where I started crying: *** “Sherman,” he said. “We don’t have to talk about this weekend. If you need to talk, I’m here. But I just want you to know that my father was an alcoholic.” *** Receiving empathy is such a blessing; being seen, heard, understood. Your HS course load & extracurricular activities are wildly impressive, especially in light of the circumstances you lived in.
“My chemistry teacher’s empathy was so powerful that I ran out of the room.” To have a teacher grok you, that is so meaningful. He, simultaneously being what makes us most human, and yet a superhero. Great teachers are our salvation when we carry their gifts.
Makes me remember the chairman of my high school English department, Mr. Levy, who let me rest on the sofa in his office when I needed a refuge to get over the crippling stomach cramps that were a somatic reaction to my tormented home life. He also tried to help me escape by recommending me for a scholarship to Sarah Lawrence College. ( I was graduating at almost 16 and felt I would be a “traitor to my class” to go to an elite school! ) A brilliant and compassionate teacher who read us Blake in a thrilling voice, he himself was mourning the death just that year of his 14 year old son to leukemia. This evening I watched PBS’ American Masters segment on N. Scott Momaday, “Words from the Bear”, made in 2018. House Made of Dawn has always been one of my favorite novels, and his paintings and poetry are part and parcel of his beautiful worldview. He was a giant, so beloved, and opened doors for Indian literary artists with that first ever Pulitzer by a Native American writer. Just bought the novel on Audible only to hear his voice again reading the preface. Now you must carry the mantle. Keep sharing your heart. We need you.
Sometimes Father you and I are like three legged horse that can get past the finish line… no matter how hard, we try and try and try ❤️❤️❤️. Limlmtx Sherman in so many ways spoken and not
Sherman - I've been pretty obsessed with your work for a long while, but You Dont Have to Say You Love Me easily grabs the top spot for hardest-hitting, most meaningful impact. Given the difference in scale, He Blinded Me can't possibly compete and yet it does. So much humanity packed into such a tight space, it's ridiculous. As Jack Nicholson said in one of his movies "You make me want to be a better man." Better yet, you provide meaningful concrete and metaphorical guidelines how to do so.
Sherman, I hope that one day I can read your memoires or a collection of these stories from your life.
Rocky! Quick! Fast as you can, go get a copy of You Dont Have to Say You Love Me. It's exactly what you seek, need. Then buy more copies and send to your friends so they can begin to understand how "all this" came to be. My appologies if this is a redundant message. I am new to social media of any kind (is this social media?!? I dont quite get how it all works.
He was such a gift to you, providing encouragement, affirmation, and inspiration. You in turn, provide the same to us, your devoted readers, through your words. Thank you.
Hello, Mr. Alexie. My students are truly enjoying reading your book Part-Time Indian and posts like this one. Here are a few questions my students have, if you're able to respond: 1. What has motivated you the most through difficult times? 2. Besides your chemistry teacher, who has been an inspiration to you? What did that person say or do that made the biggest impact? 3. In your life, what lessons have you learned? Any lessons from the reservation that transferred over to “the other world” or the other way around (off-rez lessons that you bring to rez life)? Thanks for your time,
Ms. Krehbiel's senior English class, Kansas
Powerful and moving, as always! This is where I started crying: *** “Sherman,” he said. “We don’t have to talk about this weekend. If you need to talk, I’m here. But I just want you to know that my father was an alcoholic.” *** Receiving empathy is such a blessing; being seen, heard, understood. Your HS course load & extracurricular activities are wildly impressive, especially in light of the circumstances you lived in.
“My chemistry teacher’s empathy was so powerful that I ran out of the room.” To have a teacher grok you, that is so meaningful. He, simultaneously being what makes us most human, and yet a superhero. Great teachers are our salvation when we carry their gifts.
Makes me remember the chairman of my high school English department, Mr. Levy, who let me rest on the sofa in his office when I needed a refuge to get over the crippling stomach cramps that were a somatic reaction to my tormented home life. He also tried to help me escape by recommending me for a scholarship to Sarah Lawrence College. ( I was graduating at almost 16 and felt I would be a “traitor to my class” to go to an elite school! ) A brilliant and compassionate teacher who read us Blake in a thrilling voice, he himself was mourning the death just that year of his 14 year old son to leukemia. This evening I watched PBS’ American Masters segment on N. Scott Momaday, “Words from the Bear”, made in 2018. House Made of Dawn has always been one of my favorite novels, and his paintings and poetry are part and parcel of his beautiful worldview. He was a giant, so beloved, and opened doors for Indian literary artists with that first ever Pulitzer by a Native American writer. Just bought the novel on Audible only to hear his voice again reading the preface. Now you must carry the mantle. Keep sharing your heart. We need you.
I'm happy Mr. Levy was in your life. And, yes, Momaday was a giant.
sherman alexie is always the absolute best.
Back at ya, Junot.
Oh my goodness Sherman Alexie, this is so, so beautiful. Thank you for sharing it. Just beautiful.
Thank you, Debby.
A beautiful tribute showing how sometimes a small acknowledgement can show great empathy and love. I enjoyed this story...
Thank you, Stephanie.
Finally getting to your story. Thanks once again for going gut deep. Your life tales are soul touchers.
Thanks, Roger!
This brought me to tears.
Thank you, Shannon.
This was such a beautiful way to honor your teacher ❤️
Thank you, Nancy.
Ah, the people who go out of their way to connect when one needs it the most like your high school chemistry teacher. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Joan.
Sometimes Father you and I are like three legged horse that can get past the finish line… no matter how hard, we try and try and try ❤️❤️❤️. Limlmtx Sherman in so many ways spoken and not
Thank you, Shelly. ❤️❤️❤️
You never know where your words go, do you? You just gotta say em.
Yup