Red's Wrap
Happiness. It's relative.
Tag: death
Speak
I walked a good long way on the beach today. Part of the way to where I was going I saw this big beautiful dead bird. He looked as if he had just landed, like he has flown low over Lake Superior aiming for… Continue Reading “Speak”
My Mother’s Face
After my father died, I found this photo in his bedroom. It was leaning against the mirror of the vanity where my mother had sat painting her nails in a room dark except for the small lamp, her red nails gleaming in the dim… Continue Reading “My Mother’s Face”
Finding Them
We set out to find my husband’s parents’ graves. We hadn’t been back to the cemetery in suburban Chicago since his father’s death 12 years ago. So we drove there today, GPS’d our way to the cemetery’s gates and then parked in front of… Continue Reading “Finding Them”
Stop Watches
He died peacefully at home from various complications. I read the obits. A few days ago, I read a woman’s obit that ran from the top of the newspaper to the bottom, a dense long column of accomplishments and grateful children. She sang in choirs, raised… Continue Reading “Stop Watches”
Aftermath
I’m not afraid of flying. I’m afraid of leaving a mess. Ever since I invented a mantra for myself to say during take-off, I’ve been fine with flying. I start reciting the phrases as the plane roars down the runway and only stop when… Continue Reading “Aftermath”
Minnie and BowWow Discuss Sadness
BowWow: There’s been a lot of death talk talk around here lately. It’s a downer, man. Minnie: I know what you mean. It seems like everything is downhill from here. BowWow: Way to cheer me up, Minnie. Minnie: Sometimes you can’t get cheered up,… Continue Reading “Minnie and BowWow Discuss Sadness”
I Went to a Funeral Today
We were the last to come. The trip was longer than we’d planned and by the time we got to the church, nearly all the pews were filled. My old friend stood at the front of the church, a small cluster of people around… Continue Reading “I Went to a Funeral Today”
Wisdom Walk
It’s a hard deal these people dying Which ones, which ones do you mean All of them that time stopped in a bad way That’s all but the old man died sleeping If we’re born we should live full out, all not some Things happen we can’t control,… Continue Reading “Wisdom Walk”
Family Heirloom
So I’ve been in California for the past few days picking up rope. I’ve seen some relatives I haven’t seen for many years and others I’d never met but who looked familiar to me like they might have been sitting at the children’s table at… Continue Reading “Family Heirloom”
Snow Door | wisconsinacademy.org
Listen to Jan read her essay “Billy” presented on WUWM’s Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “At the Breakfast Bar” on WUWM Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “The Parish Hall,” on WUWM Lake Effect
“Fury Cannot Touch Me,” Modern Love, NYT, 9/29/11
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