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aoltman@gmail.com's avatar

I found 2 typos. A tribute to your grandmother Mimi. May her memory be a blessing.

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Ben Martin's avatar

I came here to tell you "traffickers had apparently considered their cinder block bunker and ideal storage facility. There were on great options: Go to the cops, and..." I think "on" should be "no"

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Diane Paul's avatar

Ryan, Thanks for sharing this wonderful tribute of your best friend. What a loss. I hope you will write more about her life. It sounds as if she has quite a story to tell. Hope to see you in TV when you visit your dad.

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aimee's avatar

It's clear that you both made life better for each other. A beautiful tribute!

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Freedom To Offend's avatar

Sorry for your loss. My dad passed away recently at 91. It's been very difficult, I don't think that relationships naturally lose their value as each party age. I wrote this on our way we ignore parental death in this culture.

https://open.substack.com/pub/paulfinlayson/p/riffing-on-dylan-thomas-b37?r=iy2ds&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

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milliebee's avatar

Very sorry. It’s so difficult and I wish your heart healing and His hands wrapped around.

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Jared Nolen's avatar

Damn, what a woman. Many blessings to you and loved ones.

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Ri Mi's avatar

surprised myself by reading to the end. very nicely done.

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Paul Jackson's avatar

Lovely piece of writing Ryan, I very much enjoyed it. It’s a wonderful thing to have an older relative or friend who, very much, marches to best of a different drummer. For me it was my grandfather Jackson and I think that he and Mimi would have enjoyed one another’s company.

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Joan G's avatar

Thank you so much for introducing me to Aunt Mimi. My first name is actually Miriam and I’ve often wished that instead of calling me by my middle name as my parents did, they had given me the nickname, Mimi. I even bought a Tervis Tumblers that has a Mimi embroidered patch between its insulating walls that I use as my bathroom cup. When my sister was dying, she told me I should just start using the name. She and your Aunt Mimi would have adored one another.

Again, thank you. Mimi is now in my life...

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Jon Spangler's avatar

May Mimi Hook rest in peace. It is wonderful to have such people in our lives and they are dearly missed when gone. May you find peace as you mourn her death.

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Tana Ganeva's avatar

This is wonderful, thank you for writing it. Sorry for your loss.

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Keely's avatar

This was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us. I've enjoyed hearing about Mimi over the years.

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Dr. Brian A. Schwartz's avatar

Very touching and beautifully written. As so many people pass on around their birthday and I two weeks ago reach my 81st, this wonderful "Grandma" Mimi story hits home at an even deeper level. Lives are so fascinating and how wonderful for Mimi to have such a wonderful and loving "grandson" to memorialize her in this extraordinary word monument to a life well lived.

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Carl Zvanut's avatar

Great article Ryan. Such a fitting tribute to Mimi. I only met her a few times but i could see her face as i read the article. I'm sure you miss her..

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bloombodd's avatar

Gorgeous tribute; you did her proud. Her love of life will surely live on in all of you.

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Shannon Walsh's avatar

Beautiful tribute

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Bob Slagle's avatar

In the end she was a blessing to you, and likewise you and your family were a blessing to her. Memories are the finest riches that the dearly departed can bequeath to the living. Like W. H Auden said: "Lamentation and praise, sorrow and joy are one."

Let your life be a song of her deserved praise. The birds too sing not only because they must, but because it is right.

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