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Shelly's avatar

Billy, this brought tears to my eyes and gave me a heart lift at the same time. It was sacred space, life and love was celebrated there. It was never a house. It was a home to many whether or not they lived there. Kudos to your parents and to each and all of you blessed to share all that is good under its roof.

I’m sure it will take a while to unpack the belongings at your parents new home, but the memories will be even more slowly unpacked each and every day and perhaps differently by everyone. The language of love was spoken there and will continue to be spoken as new memories are created in your new home.

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Paul daoust's avatar

Beautiful, Billy!

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Laura Kelly Fanucci's avatar

I adore this essay. What a gift to those of us trying to raise kids in the same beautiful mess, a house broken in all the best ways. Bookmarking this to save & share!

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Billy Critchley-Menor, SJ's avatar

Wow thank you so much. That means a lot!

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Liz Colborn's avatar

So beautiful! It makes me think of the house I and my brothers grew up in, which my dad and one brother still live. What ax lovely tribute to the house and the brokenness in which we all live.

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Ceil Critchley's avatar

This had be crying tears of joy! What a beautiful testament of love and faith and concern for the greater good consistently expressed by your family. I agree with everything Shelly said. What a wonderful world this would be if everyone had a home filled with this kind of love and faith! Thank you for sharing your memories! I loved reading every word-truly beautiful!

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Billy Critchley-Menor, SJ's avatar

Thanks, Ceil <3

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Emily's avatar

This is so beautiful!!

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