An opening scene... My husband Nick is in the driver’s seat of a U-Haul, and My daughter Peyton (10) is sitting next to him. I’m in my car. My oldest son, Owen (12), plays with Baby Tatum (eight months) in the back seat. In the front seat next to me are two framed photographs of a boy with big blue eyes, and next to those is a soft bamboo box. On the box is the blue-eyed baby’s name and some dates: Aiden Thomas Henderson February 18th, 2018 - November 12th 2019.
Writers from Proust to Stephen King believed that places could contain actual images. And that our senses could release those images, make them come alive. In the case of Proust as the most vivid of memories, in the case of King in the form of evil phantoms.
I thought of this theme as I was reading your post about moving. And how you may be leaving a physical house, but that the home you're leaving will live on in your memories, some happy some not.
Anyway, your post succeeded in striking an emotional chord with me and led me to think of some of my family'sprior homes and what happened in them. Thank you.
Thank you for this, I found myself tearing up reading your descriptions releasing images... part of me worries Aiden will get lost, like maybe he will come home and he will think we moved on without him. Of course I know he's always with me, but I think about this im my more vulnerable moments.
Oct 7, 2023·edited Oct 7, 2023Liked by Emily Henderson
Emily, this is so beautiful. I love the reference to home and questioning its true meaning... and of course, Aidan. (Also love the way you used footnotes here!) I've often grappled with what a home means, for someone like me who doesn't have kids, and have moved around for basically two decades. When I finally bought a place this year, it felt a lot more satisfying than I ever imagined, and I never thought I'd be THIS okay with having a mortgage. :)
I think the idea of a "real-time flash memoir" is fascinating. Can't wait to read more. You're such a talented writer, I miss seeing you in class!
Oh, I love this story... A mortgage is a HUGE deal that I don't think we talk about enough! All those signatures!! I'm glad you like the footnotes! They don't work as well on the app so I hope Substack takes a look at it. I actually got the idea from Jenny Lawson (one of my fav writers who just joined Substack) I'm learning as I go here and adjusting as I see what works and what doesn't... I think I need to fiddle with the format of the title... Maybe do "Flash Memoir: U-Haul" or "Special Series: U-Haul" just some way to signal from the headline... I'm still working it out.
I miss you in class too! Your story is so fascinating and you always give such thoughtful feedback!
I really enjoyed reading this and I'm going to subscribe so that I catch future installments. I've moved from country to country my whole adult life, so this, as they say, really spoke to me.
Emily,
Writers from Proust to Stephen King believed that places could contain actual images. And that our senses could release those images, make them come alive. In the case of Proust as the most vivid of memories, in the case of King in the form of evil phantoms.
I thought of this theme as I was reading your post about moving. And how you may be leaving a physical house, but that the home you're leaving will live on in your memories, some happy some not.
Anyway, your post succeeded in striking an emotional chord with me and led me to think of some of my family'sprior homes and what happened in them. Thank you.
Thank you for this, I found myself tearing up reading your descriptions releasing images... part of me worries Aiden will get lost, like maybe he will come home and he will think we moved on without him. Of course I know he's always with me, but I think about this im my more vulnerable moments.
Emily, this is so beautiful. I love the reference to home and questioning its true meaning... and of course, Aidan. (Also love the way you used footnotes here!) I've often grappled with what a home means, for someone like me who doesn't have kids, and have moved around for basically two decades. When I finally bought a place this year, it felt a lot more satisfying than I ever imagined, and I never thought I'd be THIS okay with having a mortgage. :)
I think the idea of a "real-time flash memoir" is fascinating. Can't wait to read more. You're such a talented writer, I miss seeing you in class!
Oh, I love this story... A mortgage is a HUGE deal that I don't think we talk about enough! All those signatures!! I'm glad you like the footnotes! They don't work as well on the app so I hope Substack takes a look at it. I actually got the idea from Jenny Lawson (one of my fav writers who just joined Substack) I'm learning as I go here and adjusting as I see what works and what doesn't... I think I need to fiddle with the format of the title... Maybe do "Flash Memoir: U-Haul" or "Special Series: U-Haul" just some way to signal from the headline... I'm still working it out.
I miss you in class too! Your story is so fascinating and you always give such thoughtful feedback!
Emily, this is such a beautiful reflection. I’m astounded by the honesty and heart of your writing. Thank you.
Thank you!!! I'm so grateful you are here!
Beautiful reflection. Moving is hard in the best of circumstances. Looking forward to what you write next.
Also, I finally read big magic recently - and wow, loved it.
It's great! I try and re-read or at least thumb through it before I start any new big project
I really enjoyed reading this and I'm going to subscribe so that I catch future installments. I've moved from country to country my whole adult life, so this, as they say, really spoke to me.
Great! happy to have you here!
Thanks so much for the shout out, so glad to hear the podcast has been resonating with you :)