THE MARKSMANSHIP MEDAL

[Trudy Van Buskirk]

I have a pair of wooden candlesticks that my father made on a lathe before I was born in 1950. I always knew how much he loved to make things. Your story reminded me to make sure whoever gets them when I die (I'm 73 and no kids) knows their story.

[Deborah Way]

I love this ❤️

[Peg Conway]

❤️❤️❤️

[Katie Daley]

I love how you end this essay, how the image of your face softening touches on how treasuring something can evoke love inside and out. Thank you!

[Deborah Way]

❤️❤️❤️

[Peg Conway]

Thank you!!

[Starling Roberts]

Such a lovely window into complicated love and how our relationships with our loved ones evolve and grow even after they are gone.

[Deborah Way]

Just noticing how “evolve” contains “love” 💓

[Starling Roberts]

Yes! 💜🙏

[Peg Conway]

And it’s so healing when it happens.

[Chris J. Rice]

Saving the thing he saved is a new take on keeping things from a loved ones life. And bittersweet.

[Deborah Way]

Like a message from beyond 💓

[Peg Conway]

I love that -- “saving the thing he saved”!

[Julie Benthaus]

What a lovely and we’ll written story, Peg.

[Eileen Drennen]

beautifully done, Peg Morse Conway

[Peg Conway]

Thank you (very belated!)

[Lisa Rizzo]

What an important Keepthing for you to hold tight.