reactions
September 15, 2011People are responding to my article in GOOD, which is now available online. This one comment in particular struck me:
“Rebecca, I know you’re young, and only spent a short time with Clark, but as long as you have these messages, you’ll never really lose him… Dealing with loss is never easy at any age, but your story shows so much grace under pressure, on the part of you both, I have been truly moved, and for that I thank you. The fact that something so mundane as a bunch of emails has connected you in such a transcendent way to the man you love, you’ve shown a beautiful facet to what is otherwise a horrible tragedy, and I’m honored to have read this story. Thank you.”
This guy’s thanking ME?
Some readers are Tweeting about and commenting on how sad the story is, but some of my friends have said they didn’t even cry when they read it. They sensed my relief in putting it together. Writing it was like successfully completing a puzzle. I’ve felt content the past few days because people are reading my words. More people than ever before know how much I love Clark.
That’s not to say that I’m not going to fucking bawl my eyes out when I see 50/50 on September 30. I can’t wait / am dreading it.
I’ll go with you if you want.. We can bawl together or popcorn and nachos..
Hi Rebecca. Another reader of your incredibly beautiful, poignant piece on Good. I don’t even know quite what I want to say to you, except….thank you. Thank you for articulating yourself so beautifully, and for sharing your story with us. Few things on these “internets” actually touch me, but your words have reached to my inner core. The love that you had with Clark is so pure and genuine and just…beautiful, and it was soul jarring to be let into that part of another person’s world and feel it so deeply. It took a hell of a lot of bravery to even write that piece, and I commend you for it. I know that the ache for him will never completely go away, but I hope that it becomes (or has reached a point) where it becomes more of a dull ache and not a constant stabbing right between your eyes. Most of all, please keep writing. You are immensely talented and I have no doubt your words will continue to change this world for the better. Thank you again for sharing this amazingly unique love the two of you shared.
Hi Rebecca, I found your article “Chat History” through my GReader subscription to Gawker…I clicked because I thought your article would mirror my current situation. It doesn’t: my boyfriend and I just broke up. Typing his name into my always-open google inbox brings up countless emails and chats since 2007. The history reads like a 500-Days-of-Summer-meets-Like-Crazy script. So our situations are very different. Though I realized this a few paragraphs into your article I couldn’t close the open tab – I couldn’t walk away from your story. Thank you so much for sharing.
It’s a quality piece. You should be really proud of it. I can’t speak for others, but I think the piece didn’t make me cry because so much that I’ve read on here already has.
thank you
Hello Rebecca, Your piece was amazing and I have been thinking about it all weekend. I was reading your old blog posts and your journey is truly amazing. I took care of my mother for a year when she was dying of cancer when I was 27 (and she was 52) and I could relate with a lot of your experiences. Clark sounds like she was an incredible person and you had such a deep, unconditional love. You are an incredible writer and I look forward to reading about the adventures life brings you next.
Julie, that was such a wonderful note. Thank you so much.
I can’t even begin to tell you how much your piece, and your words here have affected me. A friend had posted the link on facebook to your GOOD article and I found my way to your blog. I am awed by the beauty of your words, as well as the love that you shared and continue to honor. At the risk of sounding creepy, if I still lived in DC I would want to buy you a beer and give you a hug. I too, look forward to reading about where life carries you next.
I wish you did still live in D.C.! Thank you so much for this note.
I also have read through your entire blog. You are a wonderful writer– you have made me become even more grateful for what I have now, and more aware that we need to truly be in the moment and let the people around us know how much we love them. I am in awe of your strength, which is so obvious, almost more so in the pain, and I look forward to hearing about everything exciting and wonderful to come. xoxo