I wrote about my cousin, the person I admired more than anyone. Until he wasn't.
https://gkeenan.co/avgb/ive-missed-sam-for-a-very-long-time-or-pick-your-battles/
Will record an audioblog companion for this soon, but I need to finally put this out into the world. (Update: audioblog done and published.)
The audio is now live on the site and currently sliding its way through the tubes to your podcast app of choice.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-very-good-audio-blog/id1724269695
@keenan I finally got around to listening to this. It was beautiful. The end made my heart drop to my stomach.
Thank you for sharing this. So very human.
@keenan This was incredibly well-written.
Like a lot of people, I suspect, I have distanced from and/or completely lost people I cared about to the right wing rage machine over the past decade or so.
Most were just acquaintances. Some were people I cared deeply about and respected.
I’m glad I read this. Thank you.
@jeff Thank you, Jeff.
I'm glad we're not alone in this, but I also hate what a common story it's become. I often question myself if I've made the right choice, but I just can't imagine tolerating people in my life who want nothing more than to make me as angry as they are.
@keenan I want to give you a hug.
I felt every word of this in my bones. I haven’t spoken to my Dad’s family in years for many similar reasons. I don’t feel their absence every day, but when I do it hurts.
Thank you for writing. You’re really good at it.
@keenan This was beautiful. It was a hard read at times; there are people I love who are no longer in my life for similar reasons.
Growing up does really suck sometimes. I love my life now. But sometimes I miss that childhood naïveté; being unaware that some of the people you looked up aren't so great. It's not a healthy feeling, but I do miss the family I had as a child. Not as an adult.
Thank you for sharing this. It's comforting to know others go through similar experiences.
@fourjuaneight Completely empathize with this. Growing up felt like a series of rude awakenings with regards to various family members (though most of whom aren't worth wasting words over).
I'm glad you found some comfort while reading. I appreciate you reaching out. :)
@keenan "a series of rude awakenings" is the best description I've ever read of growing up.
Thanks again for sharing, man. I know this is something a lot of us experience, but it's not often talked about.
@keenan Thank you for writing this. The role of political discourse among friends and family stresses me out in ways that are hard for me to understand sometimes. I take comfort in knowing I’m not alone, though.
Love your font choice!
@bw thanks so much, Blake. It’s definitely tough to navigate and reconcile. Often feels like tiptoeing through a minefield. 😑
Love that you love the font! I love it too! 🙂
@keenan I can't explain how, today, I got to your post, clicked on the link and read it all the way through. Thank you very much for that. Sorry for your loss. Beautiful writing, felt I could see the whole thing, the innocence, the fights, the love, the anxious longing and unfolding and so on and so unexpectedly close...
Anyway, thank you for sharing such a powerful piece of work. Got yourself a new follower.
@keenan that scene with the hammock in the Rescuers Down Under has been seared in my mind since childhood and nobody ever knows what I'm talking about.
So sorry about your cousin - I related to this more than I wanted to.
@small_cypress I’m so glad someone else gets me. You’re literally the only person who referenced that scene.
I appreciate you reading. I’m sorry to hear that you can relate, but also can’t help but be comforted knowing that we’re not alone.
Keenan
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