So much of us is retained in things - art - songs - scars and all that caused them. Time's a strange fish. Thank you for this fabulously resonant post - I identify - my mother's mother's things still stashed in trunks and spilling death.
This is beautiful, as is the art and layered memories within it - your mother’s and Eugene’s portraits of Lennart: wow. And your mum’s eulogy for Eugene. Love the Erica Jong/Ginger Rogers reference!
My last essay, Teddy bear eyes, was about my mum’s hoarding, in memory of her, so yours really resonates. Glad to have found you.
These portraits of your father painted by your mother are so moving, so alive. And Eugene is portrayed in Mimi's eulogy as such an interesting character, a cherished friend, a soul mate of sorts. I hadn't thought of email archives as digital hoarding before; hmmm.
So much here is rich and wonderful to see, especially the paintings, the comparison to Cranach's portrait of Martin Luther, and the glamorous young photo of Mimi and Lennart. But what moved me in the deepest way was reading Mimi's eulogy for Eugene and thinking of her enduring care for a friend. And did I somehow not know what good writer she was?
Hello, Eliza! I wandered here from your comment on Dan Blank’s post and my, I am so glad I did! A few weeks ago, I decided to change to a new notes app and cleaned out my old one (which I’d had for 15+ years). One note I found was the last email my friend Elisabeth sent me before she died, quite suddenly, at age 49. It was like hearing her voice again after her being away and I sat there bawling like I did right after I found out she was gone. Looking forward to reading more of your posts and enjoying more of your parent’s artwork.
What a treasure
Thanks, Liz
So much of us is retained in things - art - songs - scars and all that caused them. Time's a strange fish. Thank you for this fabulously resonant post - I identify - my mother's mother's things still stashed in trunks and spilling death.
Time is a strange fish. Yes. Thank you.
This is beautiful, as is the art and layered memories within it - your mother’s and Eugene’s portraits of Lennart: wow. And your mum’s eulogy for Eugene. Love the Erica Jong/Ginger Rogers reference!
My last essay, Teddy bear eyes, was about my mum’s hoarding, in memory of her, so yours really resonates. Glad to have found you.
Thank you, Wendy. I look forward to checking out your essay
These portraits of your father painted by your mother are so moving, so alive. And Eugene is portrayed in Mimi's eulogy as such an interesting character, a cherished friend, a soul mate of sorts. I hadn't thought of email archives as digital hoarding before; hmmm.
Thank you, Jill. Google has me for life. Sigh
So much here is rich and wonderful to see, especially the paintings, the comparison to Cranach's portrait of Martin Luther, and the glamorous young photo of Mimi and Lennart. But what moved me in the deepest way was reading Mimi's eulogy for Eugene and thinking of her enduring care for a friend. And did I somehow not know what good writer she was?
She was a very good writer, yes. Her book on asthma was a surprise when I finally cracked it.
Lovely memories, lovingly translated for us!
Hello, Eliza! I wandered here from your comment on Dan Blank’s post and my, I am so glad I did! A few weeks ago, I decided to change to a new notes app and cleaned out my old one (which I’d had for 15+ years). One note I found was the last email my friend Elisabeth sent me before she died, quite suddenly, at age 49. It was like hearing her voice again after her being away and I sat there bawling like I did right after I found out she was gone. Looking forward to reading more of your posts and enjoying more of your parent’s artwork.
Thank you, Tara. And I’m so sorry for that terrible loss. And glad you found that message. And me 😊