52 Comments
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Erin MacNair's avatar

These are beautiful photos - thank you for sharing them with us, and for sharing the memories of your beloved.

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Lisa Nanette Allender's avatar

What an elegy to your husband, and to all thinkers and creatives! I’ve enjoyed you (your writing) for decades now.

And, I’m so sorry for your loss of Charlie.

He knew Love, because he knew you.

I’m carrying you in my heart. ❤️

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JoAnn Arnold's avatar

Beautifully written, touching tribute😢

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Kevin Farran's avatar

A stunning depth of oneness shared. To have read of such love is humbling and an inspiration to art. Thank you.

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Maureen Doallas's avatar

Gorgeous photography by an artist with a singular eye for beauty. And Oates's love for her husband is evident in her celebration of his life.

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M⚕️ Singh, MD's avatar

Love the photos & the remembrance.

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Almost Dr.Karen Chambre's avatar

What a lovely piece on Charlie Gross. I am very interested in art photography, writing, and many other arts, which are reflective of the artist. It's interesting what he thought about analyzing his art.

You are such a wonderful writer, and you pay such tribute to him.

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Rita Casey's avatar

What a striking entwinement of visual and written emotion! My thanks for joining the pieces together in ways so rarely presented in concert.

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Audra B.'s avatar

A beautiful tribute, beautiful words, and breathtaking photographs. I am enriched having discovered this piece. Thank you.

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Sandra O’Donnell's avatar

Thank you for this beautiful and moving tribute and for sharing Charlie’s work with us. What an insightful eye. As a twice widow, I encourage those who ask, “How do you cope?” to focus on the beauty and the blessings, rather than what could have been. In the early days, we can’t help but think, “I should have” fought for another treatment, seen the signs, been more compassionate. Once those thoughts no longer serve, it seems we have a choice—anger, resentment, regret or we can bask in the beauty and the blessings of what those who have moved on left for us to hold. This is a moving example of the latter choice.

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Frances Evensen's avatar

Beautiful tribute! Thank you

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Joyce Carol Oates's avatar

Clare-- this is so touching! very wonderful to hear from you after years.

remembering those days which for me were happier days.

warmly

Joyce

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clare reihill's avatar

I was lucky enough to meet Charlie when I worked at HarperCollins in London and you came to promote your latest book with us. He was so much fun, great company & very interesting. It was a joy seeing you together - boundless enthusiasm and so much laughter.

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katsden's avatar

such a lovely tribute ~ thank you for sharing perspectives of love 💜🙏🏼

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Larry Bone's avatar

Probably the greatest gift that wives and husbands or anyone grants to any other, is their unique sensibility that resonates in their writing, their photographs, their thoughts and feelings, that is, through the essence of their very beingness. When finally a loved one's physical presence is no more, it yet lingers, persists and encourages everyone like this beautiful essay.

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Michael Mohr's avatar

"like the writer and artist, is not satisfied with surfaces—the “superficial”; the comprehension of underlying principles and laws are the goal."

So true. Beautiful essay.

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