7 Comments
User's avatar
pan ellington.'s avatar

what a beautiful, loving way to be present for her. with such bravery, as well. i had read this a couple of days ago - how it’s stayed with me so!

Expand full comment
Keith Aron's avatar

Thanks so much for reading, pan! That it has stayed with you feels like the highest praise. I always studied my mother closely, with care, trying to find a way to connect. Writing this piece helped me to feel a little more connected. 💞

Expand full comment
Jessica Klimesh's avatar

This is beautiful and tender, Keith. And what a name, Hobbahothcottee!! (I had an imaginary friend named Hankie. I don't know how I named her, but I would guess that her name was influenced by the hankie my dad always carried!)

Expand full comment
Keith Aron's avatar

"Hankie!" That's too endearing! I'm not surprised to hear that you hung with Hankie...your imagination shines through so clearly in your brilliant fiction writing! Thanks so much for being here, Jessica 🙏💖

Expand full comment
Jessica Klimesh's avatar

Thank YOU for being here, Keith!

Expand full comment
Phoenix Birch (they/them)'s avatar

OH. Where would I even begin to respond to something so rich, intimate, tender, grief-laden, mysterious and hopeful? The way you captured this piece of your mother, Keith... completely mesmerized me. You offered her back to herself, and you offered a glimpse of her person to the rest of us, and I feel so many things in this offering. Your ability to convey these intricate nuances of human experience in a way that draws us in and connects us all, even for the moment, is its own magic... Thank you, thank you.

Expand full comment
Keith Aron's avatar

Thanks so much for this generous, kind feedback, friend. Thanks for taking the offering and reflecting it back in such a wonderful way. It means the world to me to know it landed in the way you describe. I think it would mean a lot to Josie, too.🌻💗💞🌻

Expand full comment