Comments for Memory Lane

Comment on Stars by writerchick

writerchick — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 02:01:56 +0000

Michael,
I think this is one I’ve not seen before. Your mother has such a beautiful soul - even during her decline she clearly saw the beauty all around her.

love,
Annie

Comment on Little Girl (8.3.1940) by Deb Peterson

Deb Peterson — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:39:59 +0000

Michael–And also think of all the wonderful years she had, especially with your Dad and you and your sister. Maybe as time passes the memories of her healthy years will overshadow the sad times. Beautiful post–I love looking at her picture.

Comment on Don’t Know Why . . . by Mona Johnson

Mona Johnson — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 00:29:57 +0000

Michael, it’s funny about music. “Body and Soul” and “Night and Day” and many others make me think of Dad - he too played the piano. It gave him (and all of us) pleasure right up until the end. I have all his sheet music (some from the 40’s, and haven’t been able to bring myself to play any of it. Thanks for this nice post.

Comment on Don’t Know Why . . . by Deb Peterson

Deb Peterson — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 02:58:52 +0000

Michael–I’ve listened to this song so many times, but now I’ll be hearing it differently. What a WONDERFUL take on it. I keep meaning to make a CD for myself of songs like this–that trigger positive, enriching responses. Now that you’ve reminded me of this one I might just get going on it…

Comment on Saturdays by writerchick

writerchick — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 19:27:25 +0000

Michael,
I remember this piece from way back when. It’s still sad and bittersweet to me…but I think I understand it a lot better now.
WC

Comment on Saturdays by michaelm

michaelm — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 01:07:15 +0000

I thank both of you for reading this.
It’s funny, for me, distance from a piece gives me another point of view.
When I wrote this over 5 years ago, it nearly killed me emotionally.
I edited the piece a bit tonight before posting and now see it as almost bittersweet. I thank you again for reading.

Comment on Saturdays by Gail Rae Hudson

Gail Rae Hudson — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 01:01:43 +0000

Wow. Very moving. Thanks for digging this up, Michael.

Comment on Saturdays by Deb Peterson

Deb Peterson — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 00:56:15 +0000

Oh, Michael–beautifully articulated but damn tough to read. I look at my mother some days and think “Her days here in this house are numbered, and she doesn’t know it. What the hell am I doing to her?” But then there are other days–days you must have known with your Dad–when she’s calling my sister by my dead dog’s name and insisting that she’s a man. I guess you ride that rollercoaster enough times and everyone gets exhausted…

Comment on Shave by Gail Rae Hudson

Gail Rae Hudson — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 01:18:59 +0000

Something I’ve discovered, Michael, in taking care of my mother, is that performing personal grooming for the Ancient among us is appreciated for yet another reason…if feels sensually wonderful to have someone do these things for you. Sadly, it seems that receiving sensual pleasure is one of those primal delights of living in which the Ancient are rarely indulged, and, yet, I suspect, it remains important even to those who seem completely lost in their dementia. It’s communication; it’s bonding, and most of all, it feels sooo, sooo, good. As long as we occupy bodies, life is ABOUT bodies, skin and touch.
Carry on, Michael. If nothing else, your father’s soul will shimmer in time to the pleasure shivers your grooming of him assure.

Comment on Stars by Mona Johnson

Mona Johnson — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 20:29:38 +0000

I wonder if your mother remembers this moment, Michael. Beautiful post.