Red's Wrap
Happiness. It's relative.
Tag: family estrangement
Reconciliation Redux
Eight years ago, after visiting my parents’ graves in Hastings, Michigan, after arranging flowers and sprinkling birdseed to attract the finches my father loved, and after wiping off the moss that had already started to spread on their headstones, I went with my husband… Continue Reading “Reconciliation Redux”
Beautiful Boy
I read the news of my nephew’s death on Facebook. I knew it was coming but I didn’t in the way that anyone older finds it so hard to believe that a younger person would die first. We think dying will be linear and… Continue Reading “Beautiful Boy”
A Long Time Coming: Getting to Know My Father
It didn’t take long for my father to develop an email style. His very first email carried what would become his signature farewell. TIE. Take it easy. Sometimes he added SIT. Stay in touch. His emails were short, very factual, reporting on his bowling… Continue Reading “A Long Time Coming: Getting to Know My Father”
Advent 15: Gone
I wrote my sister a letter to tell her about our very sick brother but she didn’t answer me or call him which was more deadly than the last time I wrote to her when she sent back my letter unopened crammed in an… Continue Reading “Advent 15: Gone”
Reconciliation Redux
Eight years ago, after visiting my parents’ graves in Hastings, Michigan, after arranging flowers and sprinkling birdseed to attract the finches my father loved, and after wiping off the moss that had already started to spread on their headstones, I went with my husband… Continue Reading “Reconciliation Redux”
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”
Beautiful Boy
I read the news of my nephew’s death on Facebook. I knew it was coming but I didn’t in the way that anyone older finds it so hard to believe that a younger person would die first. We think dying will be linear and… Continue Reading “Beautiful Boy”
At My Mother’s Knee
Those of you who are estranged from family members but figure you’ll make things right at some point in the future, well, sometimes the future runs out and you lose your chance. That just happened to someone I know. Not to me, thank God,… Continue Reading “At My Mother’s Knee”
A Long Time Coming: Getting to Know My Father
It didn’t take long for my father to develop an email style. His very first email carried what would become his signature farewell. TIE. Take it easy. Sometimes he added SIT. Stay in touch. His emails were short, very factual, reporting on his bowling… Continue Reading “A Long Time Coming: Getting to Know My Father”
Happy Birthday, Sis, Assuming You’re Still Alive
If you are estranged from a family member, you might not know whether he or she is still alive. This is an odd concept for many of my friends whose families vacation together, babysit each other’s kids, and celebrate every holiday together. Would anyone… Continue Reading “Happy Birthday, Sis, Assuming You’re Still Alive”
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
Recent Comments