Stephanie, I had a full body reaction to this piece and had to comment. I’ve followed your work for years exploring these themes and people in your life, and I feel for you. Thank you for writing this and sharing it with us.
"The performance of ease. It photographs well. Our barely concealed bones absolutely rigid with control." << All of it but I can't stop thinking about this. The honesty, vulnerability, and relatability in your writing always touches me deeply.
I have a father I have had the good fortune to be estranged from since I was 9 years old. This is the first piece I ever have ever read that speaks to the headfuck of emotions that come along with that. Two years ago after another earth-shattering revelation (which was truly just the known but unspoken being brought to into the light) I was pitched into a devastating pit of grief. It was so complicated and crushing and took me entirely surprise which was also kind of heartbreaking. Because of course. Anyway. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Sending you so much love.
Sending love. Reading STRAY and knowing just the visible iceberg you've been through with your father, I feel so deeply for you and everything you're going through now. Thank you for writing, even when it was hard.
The first year after my marriage ended it took everything I had just to get up every morning and put one foot in front of the other. That was 20 years ago and I still feel waves of regret for how it affected my children. I'm so sorry you are going through this.
Stephanie, I had a full body reaction to this piece and had to comment. I’ve followed your work for years exploring these themes and people in your life, and I feel for you. Thank you for writing this and sharing it with us.
"The performance of ease. It photographs well. Our barely concealed bones absolutely rigid with control." << All of it but I can't stop thinking about this. The honesty, vulnerability, and relatability in your writing always touches me deeply.
I have a father I have had the good fortune to be estranged from since I was 9 years old. This is the first piece I ever have ever read that speaks to the headfuck of emotions that come along with that. Two years ago after another earth-shattering revelation (which was truly just the known but unspoken being brought to into the light) I was pitched into a devastating pit of grief. It was so complicated and crushing and took me entirely surprise which was also kind of heartbreaking. Because of course. Anyway. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Sending you so much love.
Sending love. Reading STRAY and knowing just the visible iceberg you've been through with your father, I feel so deeply for you and everything you're going through now. Thank you for writing, even when it was hard.
This is so heartbreaking, and so beautifully written. This essay will stay with me for a long time. Sending you so much love.
The first year after my marriage ended it took everything I had just to get up every morning and put one foot in front of the other. That was 20 years ago and I still feel waves of regret for how it affected my children. I'm so sorry you are going through this.
Thanks so much for sharing this. A beautiful piece.
I am so glad that you didn’t give it up, permanently. You were missed. Xoxo
I love you.