family
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Please Be Seated
The narrative revolves around a person dealing with their mother’s declining health and family dynamics while juggling art submissions. They contemplate hiring help or considering a nursing home as their mother is increasingly dependent on a wheelchair. Amidst these challenges, they receive recognition for their artwork at an upcoming event, prompting reflections on meaning and…
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NowHere
The author reflects on personal struggles while in Milwaukee testing a new cashbox for buses. Despite facing multiple rejections in their artistic endeavors, they express resilience in continuing to experiment. The narrative intertwines themes of family challenges, particularly concerning the author’s mother with Parkinson’s, and philosophical musings on waiting and existence at a bus stop,…
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The Bulb in the Fridge
Conversations with Virgin Mary I took my car to the body shop to repair the antenna and the hole in the roof. I don’t need a radio in my car. I can live without it, but the hole in the roof is keeping me awake at night. There are features you take for granted until…
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Here Comes the Rain Again
The narrative revolves around the protagonist’s struggles with various personal challenges, including a damaged car, a sick mother, and a complicated family dynamic. He seeks wisdom from a friend, Jorge, who channels messages from the Virgin Mary, emphasizing life’s cyclical nature. The story highlights themes of care, communication, and the interconnectedness of struggles.
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This is not a drill
Conversations with Virgin Mary “You should wait until I arrive. This task is hard for one person,” I tell Jorge as I watch him halfway up a ladder, a drill in his right hand, balancing. “I waited for you,” he says without turning. “You said five. It’s almost six-thirty.” “I sent you a message. Didn’t…
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The Drawer of the Forgotten Objects
Conversations with Virgin Mary Fourteen days after sending the bill proposal, the reply arrived. Not from the Member of Parliament himself, but from the system surrounding him. Good day, Thank you for reaching out to MP Jacob Mantle with your concerns. This message confirms that our office has received your correspondence. Due to the high…
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Meditating in your Laundry Room
The narrative intertwines a chess game between Bill Gates and Magnus Carlsen with a personal reflection on learning and self-discovery through conversations with Jorge. As they discuss chess and life’s challenges, the author contemplates how mundane tasks like doing laundry serve as a form of meditation, fostering personal growth and connection.
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I am traveling on a bullet train, while you are still relying on a diesel engine.
Conversations with Virgin Mary I returned from Guadalajara and went to see Jorge to wish him a Happy New Year. The contrast was brutal. Back from Mexico, where light and dust linger in the air, to snow everywhere. The sidewalks were barely walkable, the neighborhood reduced to a narrow path between piles of ice. I…
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Designing Your Own Rollercoaster
The passage reflects on the metaphor of life as a roller coaster, emphasizing the unpredictability and emotional challenges it presents. The author shares personal experiences with their mother, who recounts a difficult marriage with a mentally ill husband. Through listening deeply, the author explores themes of suffering, presence, and processing past trauma.
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The Shower is Clogged
The text illustrates how both showerheads and people can become “clogged” over time due to unresolved stress and emotions. Just as a clogged showerhead requires cleaning or replacement, individuals must confront their own accumulation of suffering to maintain efficiency. While small acts can provide temporary relief, the inevitable decline remains.
Carlos Fentanes 