Merry Christmas, Khalilah. You have brought me (and many others) JOY, along with history and critical acuity, this year. Thank you for the gift you are giving.
The title revealed itself while I was writing. “Someday there’ll be no tears…” and I thought: but what about the Christmases where crying means you’re still tethered to something?
Thank you for spending your Christmas with this piece.
The memories the spot on US-1 brings back… I remember trying to go in with a 5 month old baby boy. I was a regular so they knew me. Trying to find my money and hold the baby was a little challenging. I remember the owners daughter reaching over the counter for the baby…that was 35 yrs ago WOW! It is already MISSED!
Somehow I missed this, so here I am reading it on New Year's Eve, and it's good to know I'm not alone in revisiting the past at this time of year. If you find yourself in need of a good belly laugh, you could ready Stacey Patton's piece on Substack about overindulging in cheese over the holidays. May not cut the mustard, but may send you to rummage in the fridge. Happy New Year however you spend it, and may 2026 treat you exceedingly well!!
It's always a pleasure to read your writing and soak up your stories, finding points of connection. Merry Christmas.
I love that! That slow absorption, finding your own story inside mine. There’s no greater gift. Thank you for being such a generous reader.
Merry Christmas, Khalilah. You have brought me (and many others) JOY, along with history and critical acuity, this year. Thank you for the gift you are giving.
A whole year! Joy and the hard truths. That you’re here for both means I’m doing what I set out to do. Thank you for walking through 2025 with me.
Thank you for writing this beautiful memory (and putting Stevie's voice in my head with the title). Merry Christmas.
The title revealed itself while I was writing. “Someday there’ll be no tears…” and I thought: but what about the Christmases where crying means you’re still tethered to something?
Thank you for spending your Christmas with this piece.
The memories the spot on US-1 brings back… I remember trying to go in with a 5 month old baby boy. I was a regular so they knew me. Trying to find my money and hold the baby was a little challenging. I remember the owners daughter reaching over the counter for the baby…that was 35 yrs ago WOW! It is already MISSED!
Somehow I missed this, so here I am reading it on New Year's Eve, and it's good to know I'm not alone in revisiting the past at this time of year. If you find yourself in need of a good belly laugh, you could ready Stacey Patton's piece on Substack about overindulging in cheese over the holidays. May not cut the mustard, but may send you to rummage in the fridge. Happy New Year however you spend it, and may 2026 treat you exceedingly well!!
One person, a few nurturing words…life changing.
Touching memory:-) Hugs<3
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Beautiful.
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I enjoyed this!! Memories are so powerful and thank God they are lasting (you expresses that so well here)!
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Thank you for sharing the amazing memories of how life evolves and relationships continue.
Yes! He saw me. His mother remembered me. Twenty-four Christmases later I am, indeed, okay. Thank you for seeing that through-line.