My Father's Friends

10/30/2011

One of the best things about writing my memoir was the way it reconnected, and in some cases--connected me to friends my father knew from different times in his life. Childhood friends, old war buddies, a college classmate and a fourteen year-old he befriended in 1964. People whose lives he touched and people who touched his. And for that particularly journey, I am forever grateful.

5 Comments

Laurie Smith Murphy link

12/26/2011 07:13:13 pm

I know what you mean, Anne. Writing can be very therapeutic and a way to connect, not only to people, but to yourself, as well. Dad's are special and will always hold a dear place in our hearts. I'm glad you are enjoying your writing journey.

jan elfman

12/27/2011 10:52:44 am

What a wonderful excerpt on Salon.com -- Anne Serling is a gifted writer and I will surely read her book.

I wasn't dealt a lucky hand when father's were handed out. Mine is (I hate to admit) probably 9th or 10th in the overall Father as "monster" category which is why I relished reading about a father who was good and loving to his children.

Anne your father left you too soon but your memories are precious ones which made reading the exceprt a vicrious thrill for me. I sadly had an enemy and violent tormenter as a father. But you, you got to have the real deal of a Dad. And how very lucky you are.

Sheila Simmons

12/27/2011 10:33:01 pm

Dear Ms. Serling,

I just read an excerpt from your memoir on Salon.com. Unfortunately, I am not permitted to post a comment there, so I just wanted to do so here. Thank you so much for writing and sharing this piece with us. Your words carry an amazing power, much as the words of your father do. As I read your descriptions of his time at the hospital, his death, and your grieving process, I was suddenly transporting to another summer day when my husband died much too young as well, at age 46. Everything that you described resonated with my experience. Tears came to my eyes and I was overcome. As I write these words to you, I still am.

And yet, I thank you so much for this catharsis. And from now on, whenever I watch "In Praise of Pip", it will carry an even more emotional and richer impact than ever. I will forever treasure what your father gave to all of us, and always consider myself a friend of Rod Serling.

Yours Truly,
Sheila Simmons

Mike Jackson

12/28/2011 01:01:04 pm

I hope you'll create some sort of mailing list I and others can sign up for so we'll know when your book is out. I'm going to bookmark your site and keep checking back. I really look forward to reading it.

Mike

Tania

12/28/2011 04:54:46 pm

Oh God that excerpt was hard to read... you had me in tears the whole way through. Beautifully written.
Congrats.
:-)

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