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Megan A Arnold's avatar

Thank you. Wonderful exploration and expression of your relationship with your father - all of what it is, and isn't, and what you would like it to be. I really appreciate your ability to not let your expectations of what he "should" be keep you from loving what you can.

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Sheila Anderson's avatar

Achingly beautiful! Your father so honestly and sensitively portrayed. I was touched by “love you Blakey”. Even now, he can’t pull out the “I” but you get it, sadly, but with a big, wide generous heart. You are a tender tribute to your dad and to yourself. Deepest condolences!

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Peter Moore's avatar

My favorite thing about human ruins is the message they convey about how transitory all of this is. When we fuck up the planet so it becomes uninhabitable for us fucker-uppers, the birch trees will happily claim the turf we give up. We’re expendable, as evolution teaches us. Can’t protect your habitat? Next species!

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All-American Ruins's avatar

Couldn’t agree more, Peter. I think you might dig the podcast: https://www.blakepfeil.com/aar-podcast

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Toni Brayer's avatar

I have tears reading this wonderful essay and love how you braided the abandoned theatre and Star Wars into it. So many of us long for a different relationship with our parents that will never be. You are an excellent writer. Im truly moved and thank you.

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