Some grievances never leave. They sit quietly in a box for thirty-five years, waiting for the right moment to become a punchline.
What got me wasn’t the shoes. It was the strange persistence of both of you: your mother keeping them through moves, losses, and decades, and you carrying the memory just as faithfully.
The ending made me laugh out loud. A perfect act of poetic justice, wrapped in love, exasperation, and a pair of unworn LA Gears.
My jaw dropped so fast. The absolute audacity. I totally relate to the laughing hysterically while crying...the feelings needing to leave your body because they are so enormous. It is fitting that they will be cremated with her. As an aside, you always write in a way that makes me feel. Your stories draw me in and make me feel like I truly know you. They are honest and lacking ego. You just write the truth. I admire that.
Ha! So weird what ppl keep. Hilarious story, and you stuck the ending🙌🤣
Thank you!
A beautiful slice of life! I’m glad you didn’t keep the shoes for yourself. It says a lot.
Thanks so much, Moe.
Some grievances never leave. They sit quietly in a box for thirty-five years, waiting for the right moment to become a punchline.
What got me wasn’t the shoes. It was the strange persistence of both of you: your mother keeping them through moves, losses, and decades, and you carrying the memory just as faithfully.
The ending made me laugh out loud. A perfect act of poetic justice, wrapped in love, exasperation, and a pair of unworn LA Gears.
Brilliantly stated. Thanks so much for reading and seeing the absurdity of it from both sides.
I absolutely adore this piece, Mandy.
That is so nice of you to say! Thank you so much for reading and letting me know! ♥️
Of course!
Of all the trauma-induced survival tactics, I think your ability to take the deepest, darkest, and find the irony and laugh is perhaps the best one.
I'm lucky to have a friend who appreciates my dark humor. You are the best, Rand. ♥️
My jaw dropped so fast. The absolute audacity. I totally relate to the laughing hysterically while crying...the feelings needing to leave your body because they are so enormous. It is fitting that they will be cremated with her. As an aside, you always write in a way that makes me feel. Your stories draw me in and make me feel like I truly know you. They are honest and lacking ego. You just write the truth. I admire that.
That street goes both ways. I am certain it will be like we've known each other forever when we meet in person one day.
Thanks so much for getting it. ♥️
I think so too! Some people are just kindred. Like you've always known them. Funny how it works that way.
They brought those back. They're like $60 now.
I should buy her a new pair.