ANNARCHY - Latest Comments in At a Loss for Words

Re: At a Loss for Words

Stephanie Smirnov — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:43:54 -0000

This post leaves me breathless. Just beautiful. I wish I knew the word for that kind of love because I know exactly what you're talking about it. I feel it every time I lay eyes on my six year old son. How I hope he and I reach the wonderful place you've gotten to with your son.

Re: At a Loss for Words

Jenni H — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:06:19 -0000

As tears roll down my face, I am deeply touched by your loss for words. I'm a mom of young children and I can only imagine what it will be like when my kids are going to camp and college. I also like your observation that love rolls downhill. You don't fully realize it all until you are a parent and appreciate the circle of life. I hope your son had a wonderful experience!

Re: At a Loss for Words

whatsnext — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 11:42:27 -0000

jeez ann - every time i read one of your posts i say to myself "wow! this is the best one yet!"

but ya know what? This one IS the best yet. Wow!
you write circles around everyone else.
BL

Re: At a Loss for Words

Alexis Ceule — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:51:42 -0000

Thank you so much for this. *sniff* I hope my 11 yr old son and I have a moment even close to this when the time comes. ; )

Re: At a Loss for Words

Brad — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:19:20 -0000

Beautiful article, Ann...I'm usually at a loss to explain the joys of parenting to someone that doesn't have children. I just realized that the lump in the throat is beyond words. Well, it was until a few minutes ago.

Re: At a Loss for Words

leigh durst — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:12:40 -0000

You make me laugh and cry at the same time, all the time. Such a culmination of years, raw experience and emotion. I hope he has a blast and embraces his gifts like you do. ;-)

Re: At a Loss for Words

DianeCourt — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:23:56 -0000

Ann, this is so right! You have so perfectly captured this threshold moment of parent and children in which we feel that extraordinary connection and their being in and of their own person. As my son reaches his 21st birthday today and my daughter, 17, heads to college orientation in just a few days, I celebrate this moment with you. Thank you.

Re: At a Loss for Words

OberonDesign (Oberon Design) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:49:04 -0000

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RT @digitaldads A must read for parents as we send our kids away to camp - [link to post]

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Re: At a Loss for Words

digitaldads (Digital Dads) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:40:06 -0000

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A must read for parents as we send our kids away to camp - [link to post]

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Re: At a Loss for Words

C.C. Chapman — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:37:24 -0000

Here I am getting ready to drop my daughter off for her first overnight camp (only 3 days) and my son for his first week of camp and this post brought up all kinds of emotions.

As always your writing captures the magic and emotion of the moment. Please never stop sharing. Pretty please.

Thank you. *grin*

Re: At a Loss for Words

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Re: At a Loss for Words

Roshan — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:40:18 -0000

Touching, heart-warming & tender. A great write up about your feelings. I don't know your son but I know he has a terrific mom. As I read it I was actually imagining the scene unfolding in front of me.

Re: At a Loss for Words

Gavin Heaton — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:49:47 -0000

@Michelle Farnum - that is a great word! Kvell.

Thanks Ann ... this is why blogs are not dead ;) Where else do we get a story that touches our hearts because it comes from the heart? It must be exciting (and slightly daunting) to be pushing your child out into the ocean of life. Of course, as we do so - with great care - we imagine our kids as small boats made of folded newspaper. Yet when they return they are seaworthy, burnished by the salt and riding the waves.

I hope I am as brave as you when my kids head off to college. Oh, and are you writing a book? You should.

Re: At a Loss for Words

Michelle Farnum — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:19:44 -0000

This is when yiddish comes in handy. I'm neither a parent nor a jew, but after spending 20 years in Madison Avenue agencies I picked up some good words. Kvell is one of them.
Yiddish is the best language. They have word that describe undescrib-able feelings.

Re: At a Loss for Words

Randall Goldman — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:36:33 -0000

Until you have a child you never understand that lump in the throat. Thank you for showing a human side of the world during a time we all need an escape.

Re: At a Loss for Words

zil — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:56:49 -0000

Ahhh Ann - Perfectly put - again.

I just spent over a week in the endless rain with my husband's extended family. Along the way I had a private heart to heart with my days shy of 51 year old child-less brother in law about parenting. He is seriously involved with a much younger woman and is surveying his friends with the question "if it was physically possible would you have another child ...now." After much discussion and opinion sharing I finally said if you've never had a child you should, it doesn't matter how old you are. You can't imagine the love, feelings and emotions that lie dormant in you - age shouldn't matter if you are not limited physically. He looked at me amazed and said I was the first to say that- all of his friends, peers, parents with teenagers and/or younger children seemed to focus more on the "work" or the required energy and the "oh, I could never do it again." Your post puts into words what I never seem able to put into words - thanks for sharing your gift.

Re: At a Loss for Words

Chris Blackman — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:28:56 -0000

So well put. Try distilling that to 140 characters - it would have become meaningless.

As my Dad often tells me about parenting - it's just the first fifty or sixty years that are hard, after that it gets easier.

Well done Ann. I've signed up for the RSS!

Re: At a Loss for Words

Gwen Dille — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:03:13 -0000

What a beautiful post -- thank you for taking the time to write it and for reminding all of us parents about the unbelievable gift we've been given. There's nothing more amazing and awe-inspiring than the opportunity to love someone as much as we love our children and to watch them grow each day into the people they were meant to become.

Re: At a Loss for Words

Farayi Kambarami — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:23:24 -0000

Ann, I think the word is "LOVE". You already knew that, right? As always this is another brilliant piece of writing that takes me right to that college campus where you were with your son. I can't wait until its my turn, although its still another 15 or so years away. In the meantime, I better continue investing in the bond that we have already started building. Once again thanks for letting us into your amazing world.

Re: At a Loss for Words

Bethann — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:11:01 -0000

Ann - as always a great piece that cuts to the heart. As the mother of a soon to be college freshmen, I feel much of the same.
You know I'll be calling you for a shoulder to cry on.
Love, Bethann

Re: At a Loss for Words

Noreen — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:56:40 -0000

A very timely piece to read since I just left my 11 year old off at camp yesterday. This is our third year and each drop-off is different. She was nervous, excited, and not sure how to say goodbye to me (though I know it was harder than she let on). Thanks for sharing your story. It brought tears to my eyes and reminds me that time is moving quickly for us as a family and to cherish each drop-off and transition with our loved ones. It is a great honor to love my daughter and to experience that love you describe. The one you would gladly suffer for. Beautiful.

Re: At a Loss for Words

Susanna — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:06:00 -0000

Absolutely beautiful.

Re: At a Loss for Words

neil_a_robinson (Neil Robinson — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:02:07 -0000

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Incredible essay about parenthood RT @MarketingProfs Sometimes, words just fail me: [link to post]

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Re: At a Loss for Words

jamesIII (James O'Connor) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:24:05 -0000

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@MarketingProfs great post Ann! I laughed out loud a few times thinking back to my teen years. Then I emailed it to my mom and thanked her!

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Re: At a Loss for Words

errin (errin cecil-smith) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:23:06 -0000

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@MarketingProfs think the word u r looking for may be victory. ever time my kids do something like your son is doing i feel victory for them

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