Happy birthday! (Or happy birthday to the protagonist of this tale...)
Stunning piece. Really moving.
"...but you’ll learn only when things happen to you. Life lessons will manifest when they are needed. All you necessitate to learn is within you." So, so true.
Thank you, Nathan! Your kind words and wishes are greatly appreciated, my friend. The protagonist here is really me, but I see how it could be anyone, as you rightly pointed out (an important feature of autofiction). As for the words I heard my father say to me, they deeply reflect one of my most profound beliefs. I'm glad they resonate!
This kind of exploration of what’s in our different realms of existence - physical, memory, metaphysical, and and - it is so lovely the way you look through your writing lens. We also get to see. And the mystery of the papers...very intriguing!
Grazie, Kate! Yes, you nailed it, as always. I think the purpose of writing is to create a lens through which the reader can see the writer's "realm of existence" (perfectly put). So glad the lens I've constructed here served its purpose well.
AND the mystery of the papers. Can't say more here (maybe there'll be a sequel). But your sensitivity just left me truly entranced!
Haha Nathan! Yes, "Buon Compleanno" is the literal "Happy Birthday". Kate used "Tanti auguri" to say the same, as it's often used that way, when everyone already knows what the wishes are for, like in this case.
Omygosh, you actually had about ten! I kept getting a server error so I thought it didn’t send so I tried again…and again…😂 Looks like I was able to delete most of them!
Thank you, Kimberly! After so many uneventful birthdays, I wanted to create one to remember. Also, I'm glad you were left with a sense of longing here, because it will happen to you too, if you're open to it (and I’m sure you are)!
Happy birthday Silvio! Inexplicable cosmos of the world, I have been feeling the presence of my father very strongly lately too. And your piece happens to be just on that. What serendipity!
Thank you, Jisoo! So glad my piece plucked that string for you. And yes, "the inexplicable cosmos of the world" -- just that! I'm sure your father will be holding your hand too, wherever you go and whatever you do.
Happy birthday, Silvio!!! And here is to many more turns around the sun so that we get to enjoy your writing. And how special that your Dad gets to "visit" and wish you.
Awww!! That is a wonderful piece of writing! Happy Birthday, and many many MANY more (as my wonderful father-in-law always added at the end of his special rendition of the ‘Happy Birthday’ song!)
Thank you, Rose, for the words and the wishes, and for sharing that little anecdote. Even though I’m not a celebration guy, having many, many, MANY more birthdays is a blessing I wish for everyone (including myself). So your father-in-law’s special rendition of the song is spot on and greatly appreciated!
Thank you, Chris! I will be sure to remember yours then, the day after tomorrow. August birthdays belong to a special category -- that of hard-to-get people due to vacation lol. And thank you for sharing your personal way of feeling connected with your father's presence. Fathers are indeed mostly a strong presence in life, and they continue to be afterwards, in a different way for each of us.
Thank you Silvio! The love of my soul was born eight days after me, and my wonderful neighbors here in the country were born a week apart, almost 88 years ago, Bob on 20 and his German wife Waltraut on 27 August. Together we all make a small pride of lions!
Goosebumps indeed. Gorgeous, Silvio.
Happy birthday! (Or happy birthday to the protagonist of this tale...)
Stunning piece. Really moving.
"...but you’ll learn only when things happen to you. Life lessons will manifest when they are needed. All you necessitate to learn is within you." So, so true.
Thank you, Nathan! Your kind words and wishes are greatly appreciated, my friend. The protagonist here is really me, but I see how it could be anyone, as you rightly pointed out (an important feature of autofiction). As for the words I heard my father say to me, they deeply reflect one of my most profound beliefs. I'm glad they resonate!
This knowledge makes the story even more moving. And yes, they definitely resonate a lot.
Tanti auguri, Silvio!
This kind of exploration of what’s in our different realms of existence - physical, memory, metaphysical, and and - it is so lovely the way you look through your writing lens. We also get to see. And the mystery of the papers...very intriguing!
Grazie, Kate! Yes, you nailed it, as always. I think the purpose of writing is to create a lens through which the reader can see the writer's "realm of existence" (perfectly put). So glad the lens I've constructed here served its purpose well.
AND the mystery of the papers. Can't say more here (maybe there'll be a sequel). But your sensitivity just left me truly entranced!
You know, somehow I never knew what Happy Birthday was in Italian! Now I do!
Haha Nathan! Yes, "Buon Compleanno" is the literal "Happy Birthday". Kate used "Tanti auguri" to say the same, as it's often used that way, when everyone already knows what the wishes are for, like in this case.
Cool to know, thanks Silvio.
This was magnificent. I'm so glad you had this moment with your dad, however it is that it came about.
Thank you, Noha! And I’m so glad you liked this!
What a beautiful story, I find myself envious, left with longing, a birthday surely you’ll remember and so loving of your father to make it so.
I love to get two of these! Thank you!
Omygosh, you actually had about ten! I kept getting a server error so I thought it didn’t send so I tried again…and again…😂 Looks like I was able to delete most of them!
What a beautiful story, I find myself envious, left with longing, a birthday surely you’ll remember and so loving of your father to make it so.
Thank you, Kimberly! After so many uneventful birthdays, I wanted to create one to remember. Also, I'm glad you were left with a sense of longing here, because it will happen to you too, if you're open to it (and I’m sure you are)!
I am indeed!
agree with CansaFis Foote, what a gift…you know who is watching over you now…i got goosebumps
Thank you, Kosovka! I'm glad it did this to you!
...what a gift...happy birthday...
Thank you, CansaFis! Indeed, a gift of rare significance for me.
Happy birthday Silvio! Inexplicable cosmos of the world, I have been feeling the presence of my father very strongly lately too. And your piece happens to be just on that. What serendipity!
Thank you, Jisoo! So glad my piece plucked that string for you. And yes, "the inexplicable cosmos of the world" -- just that! I'm sure your father will be holding your hand too, wherever you go and whatever you do.
What else is there to say? Another wonderful piece! And, Happy Birthday!!
Thank you, Remanon! I appreciate your readership!
No words. just wow.
Thank you, Donna!
Happy Birthday Silvio! This was such a beautiful reflection.
Thank you, Michelle! Yes, I enjoyed writing about this. No matter where you draw the line between reality and fiction. :)
Happy birthday Silvio. Thanks for sharing this gift with us.
Thank you, Matt! Glad you liked it!
What a lovely celebration! I always wish to see one or both of my parents in a similar vein, but haven’t had the good fortune yet. Enjoyed your story!
Jane
Thank you, Jane! You will, sooner or later, I promise. Just be open to it and don't be afraid. :)
Happy birthday, Silvio!!! And here is to many more turns around the sun so that we get to enjoy your writing. And how special that your Dad gets to "visit" and wish you.
Thank you, Karena! Yes, a birthday to remember, no matter whether in fiction or reality. :)
Awww!! That is a wonderful piece of writing! Happy Birthday, and many many MANY more (as my wonderful father-in-law always added at the end of his special rendition of the ‘Happy Birthday’ song!)
Thank you, Rose, for the words and the wishes, and for sharing that little anecdote. Even though I’m not a celebration guy, having many, many, MANY more birthdays is a blessing I wish for everyone (including myself). So your father-in-law’s special rendition of the song is spot on and greatly appreciated!
That’s quite a birthday celebration Silvio! Happy Birthday! I relate to everything you wrote about the August birthdays, mine is the 11th.
My private way of connecting with my father’s presence, apart from feeling him very strongly just after he died, I’d when I hear a certain song.
Anyway, hope your birthday celebrations continue this year for at least several more days!
Thank you, Chris! I will be sure to remember yours then, the day after tomorrow. August birthdays belong to a special category -- that of hard-to-get people due to vacation lol. And thank you for sharing your personal way of feeling connected with your father's presence. Fathers are indeed mostly a strong presence in life, and they continue to be afterwards, in a different way for each of us.
Thank you Silvio! The love of my soul was born eight days after me, and my wonderful neighbors here in the country were born a week apart, almost 88 years ago, Bob on 20 and his German wife Waltraut on 27 August. Together we all make a small pride of lions!
Haha that sounds great! We too in my family have our fair share of Augustines. My son on the 9th and my sister on the 22nd. :)