105 Comments

I do... It seems every family has a memory keeper. The one who re-tells the stories and knows who's in the pictures and knows where the china set came from. My Aunt Monica was ours and now that she has dementia I am prepared to step into the role. I only wish I had asked her more questions while she could still answer them.

Expand full comment

As long as I don't outlive my kids, all is good.

Expand full comment

Can’t have life without loss. Doesn’t mean we’re a piece of stone, shrugging off memories, indifferent to the vacuum in our hearts and minds when someone dear departs. It’s all a part of living, he sighed.

Expand full comment

Always sad to say goodbye to someone you know when they move on.

Expand full comment

I like the clinic at our teaching hospital, so I have a new doctor every 18 months or so as the doctors go through their residency rotations. I don't have anything much wrong with me, so I'm a great candidate for them to practice on - but I do feel that sadness when they move on. I'm happy for their growth, and their next steps, and looking forward to 'bringing up' the next one, but I do miss them.

Expand full comment

Came for the Teriyaki but left with the ‘left and right hand of God’ My parents both died this year and that is a good thought

Expand full comment

I’m the second oldest of six kids. I am caretaker of my older brother, who just turned 70. Three younger brothers died over the last five years; my youngest sibling is my sister who’s too busy for family.

It’s hard to change when you are a creature of habit in your comfort zone. I like to be in certain places at the time of day that I prefer the light in the building/dwelling/office. I like the al pastor tacos from Los Carnales; today will be the fish. If they closed down? I’d be heartbroken. I probably have OCD because I am resistant to changes in my familiar surroundings. The sameness is warm and fuzzy and comforting and I function well. Change is an anathema for me. I get it. At least you were able to begin closure! That’s a plus.😽

Expand full comment

This hits. In July I lost my brother, and it's been tougher than the loss of our parents.

Expand full comment

Add line breaks and a little rhythm here and there and you've got a poem. And like the best poems, these are words that stick. Thanks for sharing.

Expand full comment

Thanks! I like to include lines of poetry in fiction.

Expand full comment

It is our gift to remember so that others will remember after we are gone.

Expand full comment

FELICES Y GRACIAS TERIYAKI TERIYAKI LOVE SONG SHERMAN ALEXIESHERMAN ALEXIA

Expand full comment

FELICES Y GRACIAS CANCION

Expand full comment

FELICES Y GRACIAS CANCION

Expand full comment

That was cheerful. How did you feel when Blockbuster shut?

At least you can afford to go out to eat regularly.

Expand full comment

Are you opposed to melancholic writing? I think few writers would like their work to be described as "cheerful."

Expand full comment

Oh so true....my dentist retired, my doctor disappeared after allegations totally unknown by me, the next dentist I went to also retired!!! I've outlived all certified help....

Expand full comment

My doctor and I are of the same age. He'll likely retire right when I start needing more care!

Expand full comment

so perhaps you and your doctor can share a care giver!!!

Expand full comment

Hahahahaha.

Expand full comment

Sherman Alexie writes my feels again but so much more artistically than I think them. Thanks for the leg-up.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Patty. It's me here, no need for the second person!

Expand full comment