Reconnecting

[Teresa]

Within 48 hours, I'll see my father again, first time in fourteen years.

 

He has become one of those keepsakes on a high shelf, the sort you never touch or talk about.  You dust it periodically.  It means something, but you can't put it into words, so you just hang on.

 

I wrote last week that I'd call him when I arrive in Fort Worth tomorrow, and I've decided to invite him to my hotel for lunch, before he's had too much to drink, so we can talk about now and nouns, unemotional things, banal doing and being and the living -- not the dead, not the past or future; we can handle the middle, but we won't know how to start or what to say when it's time for him to go.

 

In front of so many strangers, I won't cry.

[Bill Floyd]

Don't even know what to say to this.  I hope it went well, and most of all that you feel it was worth the risk. 

[Dude A Bydes]

To effect the quality of each minute is a noble goal. Just live for the moment... one at a time. In the end, that's all we do and all we are meant to do. Nice reflection, Teresa. -Dude

[Stephen Torelli]

Just follow your nose and you will never lose that sparkle.

[Mike Handley]

It altogether amazes, frightens, saddens and pisses me off that fathers and their offspring can sometimes share nothing beyond DNA.

[Jadie Jones]

stark and honest. favorited. this is my favorite line: It means something, but you can't put it into words, so you just hang on. perfect description

[Gita]

If you start to feel weird or panicky, look across the room and think about Grimmy being a waiter, delivering beef tips to one of the diners.

I heart u.

[Judy Thompson]

fingers crossed, Teresa.  all of them.

 

[Cita]

Certainly put my weekend in perspective... 

You know that we are all here, T, and will wait as you write it all out for us, in drips and dribbles and epiphanies.  

[Kristine_ES]

you've got good, solid vibes from us to surround you.  i hope the visit goes better than anticipated. i also like Toby's advice. 

[Javed Baloch]

Ditto to what Toby said. I honestly dont know how to respond to this piece. Its just one of those that kinda shush you up. Powerfully written as it is. Esp. line 4 really stood out for me.

I sincerely hope it all works out smoothly for you.Wish you all the best...