Wow, Jennifer, you build such a layered sense of place: forests and hotels - make-believe and real ones that take the place of homes - and 2 little girls creating their own world, one of them growing into a world of delusions, and the narrator having to make sense of a world without her sister. This piece is going to stay with me.
Beautiful piece that hits close to home for me. It's true that nothing is black and white. My brother, who died of cirrhosis from drinking a few years ago, was the first one to teach me to love unconditionally. It's hard to be supportive and also protect yourself at the same time. I look forward to reading your book.
Until you pointed it out I hadn’t thought quite so pointedly how crucial siblings are. In my case it was a brother I lost, but the connection had been differently deep and natural. The hapax legomenon, the internal lingo, your twigs for keys, thank you for sharing those.
Didn't expect to sob this morning. But I thank you for it. "It’s the one with the softest bed of needles, I think, the one where she can rest." will reverberate in my mind and heart for a while.
I love the tactile memories of the “hotel rooms.” As a fellow child of the woods, this makes me want to go back to those cozy, earthen spaces.
There’s something so comforting in the woods.
Wow, Jennifer, you build such a layered sense of place: forests and hotels - make-believe and real ones that take the place of homes - and 2 little girls creating their own world, one of them growing into a world of delusions, and the narrator having to make sense of a world without her sister. This piece is going to stay with me.
Thank you, Ren. That means so much to me. 💕
Devastating and beautiful, Jennifer. I loved the seamless travel between the imagined and the real, a theme that resonates throughout.
Thank you, Rebecca. 🙏
Beautiful piece that hits close to home for me. It's true that nothing is black and white. My brother, who died of cirrhosis from drinking a few years ago, was the first one to teach me to love unconditionally. It's hard to be supportive and also protect yourself at the same time. I look forward to reading your book.
Thank you, Dorian. Such hard lessons.
Until you pointed it out I hadn’t thought quite so pointedly how crucial siblings are. In my case it was a brother I lost, but the connection had been differently deep and natural. The hapax legomenon, the internal lingo, your twigs for keys, thank you for sharing those.
Thank you for reading. I have many sources about the sibling connection, if interested.
I am interested. Thank you for offering to share those. In my case I had two younger brothers. My connections to them were different.
I would love more info about resources on the sibling connection. How may I get that?
Hi Jennifer, I have a book rec and a few research links. How best for me to send those to you?
I don’t know a way to share either my phone or email without it being public. Suggestions?
The Editor in Chief will help you out! :)
This is really so good Jennifer. Looking forward to the book:).
Didn't expect to sob this morning. But I thank you for it. "It’s the one with the softest bed of needles, I think, the one where she can rest." will reverberate in my mind and heart for a while.
Beautiful and heartbreaking, Jen. The connection between you felt so palpable, especially on that phone call. Sister bonds are so complex and tight.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Susan. The phone call might be my favorite scene in the piece.