In the Celtic tradition that space between the here and here after is called a "thin place". I've always liked that term to define a location where the distance between heaven and earth is so close you can feel the other's presence.
Beautiful tribute Chris. Thank you for sharing. I would think we all have those moments when someone we have loved and who is no longer there, pops up. In a memory or a feeling. I know I do. Happy New Year.
My Dad is gone 12 years and we were not close until the last decade of his life. But, I miss him every day. Pray that I will get to visit him soon. But, as he said, he was old enough to witness a Jesuit Pope and a Black President
This was beautiful - I appreciated the sense of Ken that you created for the rest of us - his presence in life and in death - and your way of coming to terms with it - thank you - makes me like you more :)
Beautifully expressed! I am a Californian who has lived in central Italy for 56 years now with a daughter on the faculty at Penn State. I follow the worrisome situation in the States, enjoy your posts immensely and admire your writing.
I, too woke up here in Olympia,Washington looking out at the Puget Sound… got a cup of coffee….cleared my phone briskly of over night advertisements and came to Chris Cillizza…. my first thought “ hooray back to some normalcy”….but NO Dear Chris You took myself and I am sure so many others down a SPIRITUAL path of remembrance of the best of FATHERS here on Earth”….modeled after The Father of All Fathers …. This is the True Faith come to live amongst us….
Thanks so much for this, Chris. Your story about grief is incredibly inspiring. There is something kind and gentle about the land in North Texas.
I grew up in Ponder, Texas--just a little southeast of Montague County--and when I was in my mid-teens, my family moved to Denton. After 17 years in Chicago, I live in Michigan now, and your photos took me home.
A great piece. I call myself Spiritual..grew up half catholic by extended family amd Methodist by birth. This reminds me of my Dad. Died inout house 26 years aggo. My husband had a similar relationship with dad as you had with your wifes dad. Those puctures speak to me about how my dad lived for country places. I truuly believe we are near our loved ones thru that same thin veil. My best friend died of cancer in our house. I feel her hand on my arm periodically. She knocks things over as we used to do together in all the years of our lives. I totally get your sense here. It says something about Ken....but more about your openness to the world and what comes after!!
This is why I subscribe, the political content is nice but the personalization is what matters.
YES!!!
Agreed 💯
I'm glad this was the first thing I read waking up this morning
Sam, you and me. I’m listening to remembrances of Jimmy Carter, and this was a beautiful tie-in
In the Celtic tradition that space between the here and here after is called a "thin place". I've always liked that term to define a location where the distance between heaven and earth is so close you can feel the other's presence.
It’s also called “the veil,” and the veil is thinnest at Samhain, pronounced “sa-wan.” Samhain occurs on October 31: Halloween.
Beautiful piece, Chris. And I think you are exactly right: there is only a thin space, perhaps a “veil,” that separates the living from the dead.
Perfect. The ‘thin place’ - I hope.
My mom passed last night. This was beautiful to wake up to. Thank you! 🙏
Condolences to you and your family on the loss of your mom.
Kind of you. Thank you 🙏
Wishing you peace and solace from your memories of her.
Thank you 🙏
Thanks Chris. A very moving tribute, and a welcome break from the awful and absurd stuff that engulfs us these days.
Beautiful tribute Chris. Thank you for sharing. I would think we all have those moments when someone we have loved and who is no longer there, pops up. In a memory or a feeling. I know I do. Happy New Year.
Beautiful, Chris!
What a wonderful essay, clearly from your heart, Chris. Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks Chris. The most beautiful, thoughtful thing I’ve read in a long time
My Dad is gone 12 years and we were not close until the last decade of his life. But, I miss him every day. Pray that I will get to visit him soon. But, as he said, he was old enough to witness a Jesuit Pope and a Black President
Wonderful. Tears were pricking behind my eyelids as I read this luminous piece. Thank you.
This was beautiful - I appreciated the sense of Ken that you created for the rest of us - his presence in life and in death - and your way of coming to terms with it - thank you - makes me like you more :)
Beautifully expressed! I am a Californian who has lived in central Italy for 56 years now with a daughter on the faculty at Penn State. I follow the worrisome situation in the States, enjoy your posts immensely and admire your writing.
I, too woke up here in Olympia,Washington looking out at the Puget Sound… got a cup of coffee….cleared my phone briskly of over night advertisements and came to Chris Cillizza…. my first thought “ hooray back to some normalcy”….but NO Dear Chris You took myself and I am sure so many others down a SPIRITUAL path of remembrance of the best of FATHERS here on Earth”….modeled after The Father of All Fathers …. This is the True Faith come to live amongst us….
Thanks so much for this, Chris. Your story about grief is incredibly inspiring. There is something kind and gentle about the land in North Texas.
I grew up in Ponder, Texas--just a little southeast of Montague County--and when I was in my mid-teens, my family moved to Denton. After 17 years in Chicago, I live in Michigan now, and your photos took me home.
A great piece. I call myself Spiritual..grew up half catholic by extended family amd Methodist by birth. This reminds me of my Dad. Died inout house 26 years aggo. My husband had a similar relationship with dad as you had with your wifes dad. Those puctures speak to me about how my dad lived for country places. I truuly believe we are near our loved ones thru that same thin veil. My best friend died of cancer in our house. I feel her hand on my arm periodically. She knocks things over as we used to do together in all the years of our lives. I totally get your sense here. It says something about Ken....but more about your openness to the world and what comes after!!