23 Comments
User's avatar
Jacqueline Leak's avatar

Your love is like no other.

Tim's avatar

Debra, your writing is very inspiring. As a fellow "advertising guy", it reminds me that taking the time to write things besides powerpoint and taglines can bring people joy. Thank you!

Debra Fried's avatar

Hi Tim - I'm so glad you found my story inspiring and YES - writing things other than decks and taglines, at least for me, makes a huge difference. Thank you for reading my story.

Karen McIntyre's avatar

Love this. Tender and hilarious.

Debra Fried's avatar

Thank you, Karen. xx

Ali Demos's avatar

Debra, this is pure loveliness. your native warmth, sense of humor, and general EQ clearly create true friendship and human delight wherever you go. What gifts you have -- and not just the writing!

Debra Fried's avatar

Oh, Ali! What a beautiful thing to say. I appreciate it very much. Especially coming from someone who's EQ is off the charts. Thank you.

Peter Krijgsman's avatar

I found this quite difficult to read (not for want of good writing). Appalling sense of national betrayal going on in the USA and waiting in the wings elsewhere: asinine generalisations about immigration etc collide with human decency. It’s all getting a little too much to cope with. But great that you’re writing it, even if the audience, or most of it, doesn’t need converting.

Debra Fried's avatar

Yes, it is appalling that hard-working people are demonized. I'm relieved that the women I wrote about are citizens (although that doesn't necessarily protect immigrants all the time). I never thought I'd see the day where we'd become a nation guided by cruelty.

Jim Nolan's avatar

Wow, what a lovely piece and friendship.

Debra Fried's avatar

Thank you, Jim.

Heather Truelove's avatar

A lovely read.

Debra Fried's avatar

Thank you, Heather!

Mark Aronson's avatar

With one perfect story, you’ve managed to erase a week of apocalyptic news. Thank you.

Debra Fried's avatar

Thank you, Mark. What a beautiful comment - if only the news could truly be erased!

david cohen's avatar

DF, Another beauty. You are one amazing woman....you do it all and with such love and warmth.

Debra Fried's avatar

Oh, DC!! Thank you so much!

Rickroth1's avatar

Debra - Thank you for this lovely piece! How lucky we are to have such special people like Marina in our lives. Reminds me of our dear Minerva who has been a blessing to Edie, me and our kids for over 30 years. I will honor your story with talking strawberries later this week when our grand kids are over.

Debra Fried's avatar

Rick! Thank you! I love the thought of you making strawberries talk for your grandkids!

MissEllieNYC -Ellie Mathias's avatar

When pigs fly, when strawberries talk, and soon again we will continue to be the “land of the free.” … in the midst of the impending doom and WW3, a strawberry grows…. Perhaps the berries give us the greatest of advice in the midst of political strife? Despite being split in two, we should not stay silent. We should all open our mouths… not fer bitternes…. To sprinkle some sugar , and nourish one another better. Its one world we share. I want seconds! Pass the cream please?

Debra Fried's avatar

Oh Ellie - I love the way you said that! Yes to opening our mouth and sprinkling some sugar - your comment nourished me. Thank you.

Ruth Shaw's avatar

You write so beautifully about the relationships between women. There is a special bond with the women who help care for us and our children. I think of Titia, Etta, Mercedes, Jovanna, Consuelo -- their care and warmth, their generous dignity. Thank you for honoring them.

Debra Fried's avatar

Well, speaking of writing beautifully about women - you just did so, Ruth. I'm glad you related to my story - that special bond is real. Thank you for your (as always!) beautiful comment.