I love this story! I’m from Collingswood and knew your Dad while growing up. I live in SC now too. Your story made me laugh and cry. It made my day. God bless you. Keep up the good work!
Merry Christmas, Matthew, and to Alicia and your Mom and Dad! I'll feel this story hugging me as I tackle my hectic to-do list and watch the Eagles play on Christmas with the announcers on silent and the other Eagles singing Take It Easy on full volume. ❤️
Merry Christmas, Terry! I suffered through the last three Eagles games with my dad. Listening to the Eagles sing Take It Easy is much more relaxing. LOL.
Thank you for sharing your family's story and continued journeys. "Take it easy" is juxtaposed with getting taking action in your writing today--not an easy balance to achieve. Easy to apply to our lives!
Thanks, Dixie. You are very welcome! I've been learning that there is a difference between mind state and what we actually do. Meaning we can have a take-it-easy state of mind and still get a lot of things done. Or we can have an anxious I-need-to-write-an-entire-novel-today mentality and never write a single word. I used to think that it was necessary to have an anxious mind frame to get a lot of work done, but I'm currently challenging that belief. Our egos want to find ways to create the illusion of control. We should definitely take responsibility for our lives. And I'm also learning that humility is something the gods will always teach when we forget that we are not of them. You are correct. Not easy. But a worthy pursuit!
You always find, or at least struggle with, the meaning of everything that happens in your life. I think this is part of what makes you an amazing storyteller... And clearly a good son. Now go hug Alicia.
I laughed out loud several times reading your story! I love your Mom and can "see" the palm adventure unfolding. If you need something done, Doreen will figure it out! You captured the essence of living with my Dad, Merle (& your Dad, Mike). Sweet (mostly) and relentlessly curious about the same things over and over and over. We are so glad you moved to this wonderful place. Merry Christmas!
So glad the post made you laugh, Kristen. If you know, you know. My mother is the queen of getting things done, for sure. And a big help. "Relentlessly curious" is a beautiful phrase and so accurate. I'm going to to start using "relentlessly curious" to describe all those questions Dad asks. Really frames it nicely. Thanks for that. Merry Christmas!
I can hear your mother’s voice as I read this. Your account of the tree moving brings laughter, the drives to and fro with your dad bring tears. Merry Christmas!
Matthew, this touched my heart. I still have memories of your brilliant Dad running BOE meetings, your Mom pulling me into the PTA, & you babysitting my sons. You became known as "Big Matt with the hairy legs." So many happy memories of the Quick Family. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas & and Happy & Healthy New Year. Keep writing!
Wonderful touching story! I know your mom and I met her through Debbie Hyland many many years ago. I totally see her directing this whole episode with the trees!! She is a little dynamo and I adore her!! Merry Christmas!
Loved the eight hugs part, I read it to my husband. Just the kind of thing I would have done, and now I have. The tree looks great. I hope the Bottle Brush is doing okay.
I love this story! I’m from Collingswood and knew your Dad while growing up. I live in SC now too. Your story made me laugh and cry. It made my day. God bless you. Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much, Dolly! Glad you got something good from the read.
Merry Christmas, Matthew, and to Alicia and your Mom and Dad! I'll feel this story hugging me as I tackle my hectic to-do list and watch the Eagles play on Christmas with the announcers on silent and the other Eagles singing Take It Easy on full volume. ❤️
Merry Christmas, Terry! I suffered through the last three Eagles games with my dad. Listening to the Eagles sing Take It Easy is much more relaxing. LOL.
Thank you for sharing your family's story and continued journeys. "Take it easy" is juxtaposed with getting taking action in your writing today--not an easy balance to achieve. Easy to apply to our lives!
Thanks, Dixie. You are very welcome! I've been learning that there is a difference between mind state and what we actually do. Meaning we can have a take-it-easy state of mind and still get a lot of things done. Or we can have an anxious I-need-to-write-an-entire-novel-today mentality and never write a single word. I used to think that it was necessary to have an anxious mind frame to get a lot of work done, but I'm currently challenging that belief. Our egos want to find ways to create the illusion of control. We should definitely take responsibility for our lives. And I'm also learning that humility is something the gods will always teach when we forget that we are not of them. You are correct. Not easy. But a worthy pursuit!
You always find, or at least struggle with, the meaning of everything that happens in your life. I think this is part of what makes you an amazing storyteller... And clearly a good son. Now go hug Alicia.
Thanks, Kent! I appreciate your loyalty!
I laughed out loud several times reading your story! I love your Mom and can "see" the palm adventure unfolding. If you need something done, Doreen will figure it out! You captured the essence of living with my Dad, Merle (& your Dad, Mike). Sweet (mostly) and relentlessly curious about the same things over and over and over. We are so glad you moved to this wonderful place. Merry Christmas!
❤️
So glad the post made you laugh, Kristen. If you know, you know. My mother is the queen of getting things done, for sure. And a big help. "Relentlessly curious" is a beautiful phrase and so accurate. I'm going to to start using "relentlessly curious" to describe all those questions Dad asks. Really frames it nicely. Thanks for that. Merry Christmas!
This captures the essence of the season so beautifully: the zany, the hard, the beauty, the connection.
Thanks for sharing this with us, Matthew. Merry Christmas!
The zany, the hard, the beauty, and the connection. That's it! Thanks for being here with us, Amy. Merry Christmas!
And Merry Christmas from Vancouver Canada to you and Alicia!
Merry Christmas to you, Roxanne. Merry Christmas to Vancouver and all of Canada!
I can hear your mother’s voice as I read this. Your account of the tree moving brings laughter, the drives to and fro with your dad bring tears. Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Doris! Merry Christmas!
Beautiful and heartfelt and surprising... like all things Matthew Quick!
Much appreciated, Mark! Thank you!
Make it 13 hugs today for Alicia. That last one’s on me. And one for you, too, while I’m at it! ❌⭕️❌⭕️
Merry Christmas, Benj Lipchack!
Matthew, this touched my heart. I still have memories of your brilliant Dad running BOE meetings, your Mom pulling me into the PTA, & you babysitting my sons. You became known as "Big Matt with the hairy legs." So many happy memories of the Quick Family. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas & and Happy & Healthy New Year. Keep writing!
Merry Christmas, Mrs. Rooney! To you and your boys! Thanks for the kind words here.
This is crazy cool! Eight hugs to you Matthew and eight hugs to Alicia - all separate ones, all today!
Much appreciated, Anna CB! Thanks!
Wonderful touching story! I know your mom and I met her through Debbie Hyland many many years ago. I totally see her directing this whole episode with the trees!! She is a little dynamo and I adore her!! Merry Christmas!
Thanks! Merry Christmas, Margie!
Loved the eight hugs part, I read it to my husband. Just the kind of thing I would have done, and now I have. The tree looks great. I hope the Bottle Brush is doing okay.
The bottlebrush isn't looking great, but the pindo palm is going strong! Glad you got something good from this one, Karen.
...and 8 hugs to you!