16 Comments
Oct 24Liked by Deborah Way

This is beautifully conceived and written. Focusing on the objects that our people leave behind and all the ways they allow us to remember and appreciate a life well lived is a powerful way to bring readers into such a brutal loss. Thank you for writing, editing and sharing Henry’s shoes and the mysteries of his extraordinary life. Our deepest fears of losing a child newly separated from us make us want to turn away from stories like this. But parents who lose children hold some of the greatest wisdom there is, and deserve both our attention and our reverence. Thank you. I will not forget Henry’s shoes.

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author

I keep coming back to this comment. Thank you for taking the time❤️

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Thank you, I appreciate your comment and I won't forget them either. <3

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Oct 24Liked by Deborah Way

Henry was a special young man, chosen by greatness to feel Mother Earth through his soles and his soul.

What a fabulous write, momma. I’m glad you and your hubby still wear his things, as I do with my sons things. It brings us a moments joy in the morning as we don the clothing item and gives us cause to remember the good times, when we reach down to the hem of the shirt and rub it between our thumb and pointer finger.

Thank you for sharing your Henry with us and keeping him alive through your words. I hope to someday be as brave as you, sharing my son in story. He was 21 when he left this earth to an asthma attack and it still feels like yesterday as I relive the trauma daily.

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Oct 25Liked by Deborah Way

Everyday is still a day without them, so it hurts--maybe a little, maybe a lot. Thank you for reading about my boy.

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I’m so sorry ❤️💔❤️

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Oct 24Liked by Deborah Way

I have heard friends telling friends who have had a child die that they can't imagine going through that, or can't imagine the feelings of this most painful of losses. But it is precisely that we CAN imagine this grief that we often shy away from parent survivors or shut down our empathy out of fear. Your beautiful writing about Henry allows us to know him a little bit and to appreciate his gorgeous unique connection with the world. Your essay opens me up more to appreciating the uniqueness of everyone I know, especially the teens and young adults in my life. And your writing expands my ability to grieve for losses, of others and my own. Thank you for writing and sharing this. It is beautiful and important.

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Thank you JR. I love that I can share him with the world.

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Gutwrenching. I love The Keepthings.

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Oct 25Liked by Deborah Way

Powerful, poignant and oh so beautifully written. What loving tribute to your son, Henry.

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Oct 24Liked by Deborah Way

Oh, my, what a tribute but it made my heart hurt for you.....

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Thank you for this tribute. Beautiful.

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Thank you for sharing this tribute to your beloved son and how he walked in this world. Beautiful.

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Beautifully done. I'm a new subscriber and was deeply moved by your story. Your son's unique personality shines through your writing. I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing this.

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This is such a beautifully heartbreaking story. Thank you for so graciously sharing your Henry.

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deletedOct 24
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Thank you for your kind words, and for letting me keep my boy a little bit alive, through thoughts and worn out shoes.

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