An excerpt from the new post: "One of the best gifts I’ve ever
received was a stack of paper about an inch thick, held together with a large
metal clip and titled 'Me, Hallucinating All Night Long.' It was a book,
written by my dad, presented to my brother and me one year for Christmas. It
was the story of the first forty years of his life, he explained, but it was
written in the form of a list. More specifically, it was a collection of
captions to photographs that had never been taken—an autobiography made up of
small moments."
See the rest on the Equals Record, here, and past entries from my column, Looking Forward, here. Thank you so much for your kindness and support.
Top photo from Joseph Gordon-Levitt's The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories. Bottom photo by Max Wanger via Instagram.
12 comments:
okay, i think that one is my favorite. so beautiful, shoko. it really is the small spaces between those big events that make life exquisite and meaningful.
also (and not incidentally), your parents sound like amazing people!
xo,
cara mia
my favorite one yet. so beautifully written and poignant.
You write so beautifully. The little moments do count, don't they?
When I was about 5, I vividly remember sitting on my grandma's lap listening to her talk while she knits. But the thing is I didn't understand her, she doesn't speak English. However I remember her soothing voice and I will always remember that.
I just adore this. It's one of those instances when I'm jealous of someone else's writing. Beautifully told.
I love your Equal Records posts... they always evoke such nostalgia that I can related to.
Thank you for yet another beautiful, poignant post.
Thank you so much everyone! I really appreciate your kind words.
Cara, thank you! And yes, they are amazing - MUCH cooler than me :)
Jo, I have similar memories of my grandmother, who also didn't speak English. So lovely.
Natalie, you are too sweet.
Sho, I read your full article yesterday and haven't been able to stop thinking about it! I fell asleep last night thinking of what some of my snapshot moments have been in my life, and how I would write them in a few words. I really think I'm going to start capturing them in the same way your dad did -- it's just such a beautiful way to remember life.
Thank you! xoxo
Chelsea, that makes me so, so happy.
Absolutely loved this piece. Your dad's present reminded me a bit of my visual journal and how I like to just write a few words to go with each photo.
Your parents must be so proud of what an amazing writer you have become.
Ronnie xo
Thank you, Ronnie. That's so nice of you to say.
I left a comment a few days ago, but I think it never got published. It said that this post you wrote for ER is so beautiful and meaningful that while reading, it turns into one of those moment. You're inspiring. Thanks.
That is an amazing compliment, Carol - thank you.
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