I'm sitting here just after 6 am on a snowy Alberta morning and just read your story. I did it slowly. Usually I read fast, skip, rush, hop through lines. But in this short story, every word mattered, even the unspoken when you took a breath between typing. Wow! Thank you for sharing, thank you for the goosebumps, the tightness in my throat, the magic ...
This comment means more than you can know. It was such a strange and raw thing to write this, I had NO idea how people would respond. This seriously means so much.
TYLER this is utterly fantastic! I think because of postpartum hormones I can't talk about the emotions too much right now but holy wow, this was phenomenal and I hope you enjoyed writing it because I definitely would love to read more short stories from you. Bravo!
Beautifully written. I have lost my daughter to a brain tumour. Your description moves me. It’s the small things that matter and place both a smile and longing in my heart. 💜
Patricia, I am so very sorry for your loss. My goodness, thank you for this comment, and for the generosity of your soul in allowing yourself to read it.
Halting… and then assuring… The mind requires a few paragraphs to get used to the writing style and settle in on how a story is told. This is before and not until we can begin to listen to the plot and absorb the meaning behind what has been written. I was, at first noting, that the sentence structure resembled more of a free verse poem, but relaxed my mind and told myself to “not judge so quickly”. After the first page, I could appreciate the story line is about the sudden departure of a family member who was adopted, and lived a somewhat full but incomplete life with an equally complete, but unfulfilled family… then the writing style makes not only sense, but adds structure and texture to the story itself. My favorite lines were the ones about birthday cakes and ice cream cones. Probably the most important detail of a parent’s love is not how we remember our reactions to the hard times, but how we found reasons both large and small to celebrated life as it happened. As my grandmother used to say, “Family is supposed to be there for the bad times, as that’s when you need them the most.” What is hard is to find reason to celebrate together the banal events of everyday life. Your words in this story do just that. They highlight and elevate the richness of life that ‘pouring a bowl of cornflakes’ can make in a child’s day. No detail is worthless in the memory of someone loved and lost. Welldone my friend.
Such an interesting read on this! I'd never thought of the adoption angle, at all. How fascinating that's where your mind took you. I love that. I love what your grandmother said, so much. Thank you, for reading.
So well done ... so lyrical with your turn of thoughts and words. Thank you so much for sharing this gem, and congratulations on being chosen for this project. What an honor for you.
Just when I think I’ve got my head around your talent, you start sharing Fuji magic, or, as it turns out, write a whole damn short story.
As someone who has dabbled in writing, and has read broadly and avidly almost my whole life, I know that writing a good short story is, in many ways, harder than writing a novel. To capture the “voice” of the players, to paint the background in clever, spare strokes just wide enough for the reader to fill without even realising… you did it.
This beautiful short story made me ACHE. I wanted to reach in to the screen and hug her.
Stunning Tyler—just stunning! You are so gifted with words—thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much. Super vulnerable posting something like this, so far outside of my norm. :)
Wow. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for reading. New territory for me, scary to share! :)
I'm sitting here just after 6 am on a snowy Alberta morning and just read your story. I did it slowly. Usually I read fast, skip, rush, hop through lines. But in this short story, every word mattered, even the unspoken when you took a breath between typing. Wow! Thank you for sharing, thank you for the goosebumps, the tightness in my throat, the magic ...
This comment means more than you can know. It was such a strange and raw thing to write this, I had NO idea how people would respond. This seriously means so much.
TYLER this is utterly fantastic! I think because of postpartum hormones I can't talk about the emotions too much right now but holy wow, this was phenomenal and I hope you enjoyed writing it because I definitely would love to read more short stories from you. Bravo!
No need to talk them outloud yet. WHen you're ready, we're here. Thank you, so much.
Beautifully written. I have lost my daughter to a brain tumour. Your description moves me. It’s the small things that matter and place both a smile and longing in my heart. 💜
Patricia, I am so very sorry for your loss. My goodness, thank you for this comment, and for the generosity of your soul in allowing yourself to read it.
Halting… and then assuring… The mind requires a few paragraphs to get used to the writing style and settle in on how a story is told. This is before and not until we can begin to listen to the plot and absorb the meaning behind what has been written. I was, at first noting, that the sentence structure resembled more of a free verse poem, but relaxed my mind and told myself to “not judge so quickly”. After the first page, I could appreciate the story line is about the sudden departure of a family member who was adopted, and lived a somewhat full but incomplete life with an equally complete, but unfulfilled family… then the writing style makes not only sense, but adds structure and texture to the story itself. My favorite lines were the ones about birthday cakes and ice cream cones. Probably the most important detail of a parent’s love is not how we remember our reactions to the hard times, but how we found reasons both large and small to celebrated life as it happened. As my grandmother used to say, “Family is supposed to be there for the bad times, as that’s when you need them the most.” What is hard is to find reason to celebrate together the banal events of everyday life. Your words in this story do just that. They highlight and elevate the richness of life that ‘pouring a bowl of cornflakes’ can make in a child’s day. No detail is worthless in the memory of someone loved and lost. Welldone my friend.
Such an interesting read on this! I'd never thought of the adoption angle, at all. How fascinating that's where your mind took you. I love that. I love what your grandmother said, so much. Thank you, for reading.
So, so good. Thank you for sharing , you should write a novel.
I have so many ideas, just don't know which to chase.
Write them down, put them in a bowl or a lucky hat and draw, I’m sure you’ll pick the right one to start with!
This idea is so good!!!
This is stunning, you've always been a master of the moments that matter. ❤️
What a beautiful comment. Jeez. Thank you.
You're welcome. I've admired your writing for a long time.
Are you kidding me? Amazing! As a mom of 4 kids plus 1, this shreds my heart and tears my soul! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Ahhh I hope all those tears heal up nicely. :) Thank you!
This is so beautiful. The rhythm. The images. The emotion. Just perfect. I think you should do many many more of these!!
Goodness gravy, thank you! I'll get on the job!
Beautiful. This story made me ache. Your ability to paing pictures and embody love in all its forms is astounding.
Wow Gabriela, just wow. Thank you so sincerely.
So well done ... so lyrical with your turn of thoughts and words. Thank you so much for sharing this gem, and congratulations on being chosen for this project. What an honor for you.
Thank you so much Gayle. I am so overwhelmingly happy you enjoyed it!
Just when I think I’ve got my head around your talent, you start sharing Fuji magic, or, as it turns out, write a whole damn short story.
As someone who has dabbled in writing, and has read broadly and avidly almost my whole life, I know that writing a good short story is, in many ways, harder than writing a novel. To capture the “voice” of the players, to paint the background in clever, spare strokes just wide enough for the reader to fill without even realising… you did it.
This beautiful short story made me ACHE. I wanted to reach in to the screen and hug her.
You are so incredibly talented.
Thank you, as always, for sharing your light.