This is a story about why I’m here.

mostlytalltales

I lost my Dad a few months ago. He was diagnosed with rectal cancer in May, gone by November. It sucked, as most things involving cancer and death and the rectum do.

For as long as I can remember, he was urging me to write. I can’t recall a conversation with my dad that didn’t begin or end with him saying, “I’m telling you…you need to write.”

“Write what, Dad?” I’d ask.

“Anything!” he’d say.

His assessment of my writing skills was unarguably (and adorably) biased. As evidence, he would offer up examples like my 1st grade poems…emails from college…Facebook posts. In fact, when I took this picture, he had just finished complimenting me on a recent post on his Caring Bridge page. Oh, Dad.

But now, I have reason to believe that he was onto something. And maybe it’s because the woo-woo in me wants to believe it.  I think he was encouraging me to write because he knew that I need to write to express myself. I’ve got to get it out—the good, the bad, the ugly, the funny—or else my throat chakra will never be in balance. Told you I was woo-woo.

So here is my attempt at “Anything.”

We’ll see how this goes, Dad.

team-shriver

19 thoughts on “This is a story about why I’m here.”

  1. This is beautiful and sad and funny all at the same time. I love the way you write. I always have. I am in agreement with your Dad, you need to write. You are the most entertaining person I have ever met. Clever to the core.

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  4. YOU are adorable! I love that your inspiration was your Dad. I hear your voice when I read your words in particular the “Oh Dad” sigh and heartache of missing him. You GO! And maybe I will too … Inspired by you!

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  5. Keep it up Lys, it’s a gift! Your “tales tales” always have some honest clever humor that make me chuckle. Great to see you are writing, your Dad was right on !!!
    ❤️

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  6. Thank you for finally listening to your dad! And thank you, Alyssa’s dad, for encouraging her to write! We all now get to reap the benefit of this shared digital space!

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  7. Lyss, I love it! Such strong. Live that I feel like I’m right there with you. Thank you for writing and sharing. Keep up the good work, sis!

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  8. I love your writing because it is totally authentic. In every FB post, card, Caring Bridge post, etc., I can hear you speaking every word and see the great facial expressions that go along with them! 🙂 I’ll take it since I can’t see you more often! Love you girl!

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  9. Good for you! Love this AND your throat chakra! I’ll bet it’s cathartic and healing. ❤ And thanks to your dad, with his basketballs, KU, and huge heart. What a gift he was and is!

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  10. Your writing makes my day, I thank your Dad for his incouragement he knew how talented you are..carry on. Love Great Aunt Mary

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  11. I believe I, too, have often encouraged you to write. I can remember years ago, when we began emailing. Your stories, your descriptive use of language, your story telling abilities and most of all, your humor was something I always looked forward to whenever I would see “alyssashriver@yahoo.com” pop up in my inbox. I’m so excited you are blogging. I cannot wait to hear more from you!!!! Let’s contact Liz Gilbert (or maybe I will on the sly…let’s get some magic lessons!).

    Also, (perhaps some of my excitement is selfish) I am encouraged that I will fulfill my dream of running an old folks place, part of my selling point will be “and my friend Alyssa, she’s a writer & she wants to capture your story.” Can’t wait for those days!

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