24 Comments
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Karena's avatar

Just as poignant on the re-read. A beautiful and thought-provoking sentiment, thoughtfully presented. A simple set of keys ...

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Charlie Becker's avatar

Thank you Karena

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Christin Chong, PhD's avatar

Charlie 🥺 you did all you could. Thank you for sharing Sean's story with us.

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Charlie Becker's avatar

Thank you Christin

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Silvio Castelletti's avatar

Great piece. Beautifully written, it gets better every time I read it. Bravo :)

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Charlie Becker's avatar

Thank you Silvio

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Michelle Elisabeth Varghese's avatar

Beautiful. Every time I read it, I find myself being pulled into the essay. Thank you for sharing your story Charlie!

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Charlie Becker's avatar

Thank you Michelle

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Rick Lewis's avatar

Human stories rule and this one kept me going all the way through to the end. Love this prompt too. Thanks for sharing it here.

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Charlie Becker's avatar

Thank you Rick

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Paul Millerd's avatar

This was beautiful thank you for sharing

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Shubham Khoje's avatar

In awe of your writing Charlie. Thank you for sharing the story.!

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Jordan Ali's avatar

A beautiful, vulnerable piece of writing. Thank you for sharing this with us. Stories like this one stay with me.

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Charlie Becker's avatar

Thank you Jordan

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John Nicholas's avatar

Very moving Charlie. Best thing I've read in a while. Wow.

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Charlie Becker's avatar

Thanks John

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Leo Ariel's avatar

This is a brilliant essay @Charlie. Thank you so much for sharing

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Leo Ariel's avatar

The way you wrote it (which I think is a brilliant idea) — reminds me of Ako’s “Seen, Felt, Heard, Taste”, where she recounts her experiences through bodily senses.

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Charlie Becker's avatar

Thank you Leo--I will need to check it out

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Neilda Pacquing Gagné's avatar

This is such a beautiful essay, Charlie! This is my second time reading it, and I felt so much emotion both times. Thank you for sharing this story.

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Charlie Becker's avatar

Thank you Neilda

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Phil Chu's avatar

I came across this piece because it popped up in WoP’s Circle.

I grew up with a lot of friends like the ones you described. They were all important to me for different reasons. Many are still in my life and doing better now. But I remember having lunch with one a few years ago and not recognizing him anymore. We haven’t spoken in years. But I periodically think of him and hope he’s ok.

Thanks for writing and sharing this.

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Yehudis Milchtein's avatar

I just reread this again. It's as beautiful, if not deeper, than the first time I came across this. You've got me crying crocodile tears on the train.

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Jose Delgado's avatar

Not sure who "Sean" was or when HE WAS BORN. But sorry for your lose.

I have learn recently that when you grow up sorrounded by an less than balanced family, you are prone to end sharing your life with similar people. Be careful who you grow close in the future. Makes for an awesome reading, yet I know you can approach any kind of genres with your neverending talent.

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