This is probably a bad idea - inviting my deceased parents to visit me and my Indonesian wife and son here in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2024. My Dad passed away in 2008 after a long slow fade from congestive heart failure, and he met Surya, my Sumatran wife, just once, up in Walnut Creek, California, where he lived in an “adult community”, when Surya barely spoke any English. He never met our adopted son, Exsel, who arrived in LA in 2015, also from Sumatra at 8 years old. My Mom died from a sudden stroke from which she never recovered in 1999, so she never met either my wife or son, although she lamented ‘til the day she died that I
From my oldest friend childhood friend, RICK REAPER, himself. He's just tooooo techno-lame to figure out HOW to leave a COMMENT:
"Being best friends with Eric since grade school, I was also quite familiar with his parents and found this article to be quite touching. His mom Roz was indeed an evolved woman for her generation, while Joe Trules was the sweetest of all our dads and a master craftsman; I still enjoy my pho and ramen from his beautiful Japanese ceramic bowl. No doubt they would be happily amazed with his (previously unimaginable) family lifestyle and charming adobe home in Santa Fe. Although the rebellious Eric always traveled on the road not taken, it somehow led him to the right destination, for which his folks would not only feel vindicated, but eternally proud." ❤️ Rick Reaper
Fantastic story!! I started reading and couldn’t stop till I got to the end! Beautiful writing! Brings back so many memories of me and my own parents. This is why I love sharing personal stories! No matter where we are from in the world, we connect with each other through our stories!! Thank you soooo much for sharing this!
After I read your posts I feel like plagiarizing your life or at least your craft; isn’t imitation the sincerest form of flattery, after all? But maybe I need to deal with my own reasons for my late parents’ tears. Great job invoking feelings.
Your post triggered memories of Chicago and Ukrainian village where there was a ballroom dance hall that we would go to. I was gobsmacked by the elderly couples and their skill on the dance floor - clearly a life of dancing together. Sublime !
From my oldest friend childhood friend, RICK REAPER, himself. He's just tooooo techno-lame to figure out HOW to leave a COMMENT:
"Being best friends with Eric since grade school, I was also quite familiar with his parents and found this article to be quite touching. His mom Roz was indeed an evolved woman for her generation, while Joe Trules was the sweetest of all our dads and a master craftsman; I still enjoy my pho and ramen from his beautiful Japanese ceramic bowl. No doubt they would be happily amazed with his (previously unimaginable) family lifestyle and charming adobe home in Santa Fe. Although the rebellious Eric always traveled on the road not taken, it somehow led him to the right destination, for which his folks would not only feel vindicated, but eternally proud." ❤️ Rick Reaper
Beautiful piece🥰
Thanks, Trisha!!!
Sweet story sweetly told, and I loved the photos, they were/are beautiful!
Thanks, Bob!!!
Love this! And you. And them.
Thanks, my ever-supportive Library Girl!
Fantastic story!! I started reading and couldn’t stop till I got to the end! Beautiful writing! Brings back so many memories of me and my own parents. This is why I love sharing personal stories! No matter where we are from in the world, we connect with each other through our stories!! Thank you soooo much for sharing this!
True dat, Debra. “Jamaica Farewell”! I hope to see you in Santa Fe with your new show, always personal, always universal and revealing🤩🤩
I enjoyed reading this piece on your family history..your parents were Jewish Long Island..old post-war life...fun to share..
Thanks for reading and commenting. Did u take my USC class many moons ago?
I wish I had been there !
Your best comment ever
After I read your posts I feel like plagiarizing your life or at least your craft; isn’t imitation the sincerest form of flattery, after all? But maybe I need to deal with my own reasons for my late parents’ tears. Great job invoking feelings.
Thanks, as always, Ted. I imagine your parents are gone too?
Yep. More than 22 years ago.
Your post triggered memories of Chicago and Ukrainian village where there was a ballroom dance hall that we would go to. I was gobsmacked by the elderly couples and their skill on the dance floor - clearly a life of dancing together. Sublime !
Now we are the elder dance couples ourselves🤪🤪
Elder but not elderly and certainly young at heart