15 Comments
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Claire Polders's avatar

Pap smears on a crafts fair--that should be a thing!

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Jena Schwartz's avatar

It makes me laugh every time I think of it!

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Kim Jorgensen Gane (she/hers)'s avatar

This is so, so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Reminds me of my girls, my women. Solidly millennial, my daughter is a momma now, my stepdaughter recently finished the first draft of her first novel. And I’m so proud of them both. They live too far away for us to do things together like craft fairs. I miss that so. You brought me back to those days.

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Jena Schwartz's avatar

How wonderful to see them both thriving!

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Kim Jorgensen Gane (she/hers)'s avatar

Very much so!

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Amanda Kernahan's avatar

Such a beautiful piece Jena. I love the epic nature of our everyday lives, the family and love we curate and realize is the greatest accomplishment of them all.

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Jena Schwartz's avatar

Thanks, Mandy! Your writing about family is such an inspiration.

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Becca Rowan's avatar

Simply beautiful, heartfelt, and perfect. I loved every word.

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Jena Schwartz's avatar

Becca, thank you for reading!

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Woz Flint's avatar

Experiencing this essay a second time is such a joy!

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Jena Schwartz's avatar

🤩🤩🤩

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Beverly Harris-Schenz's avatar

Such a touching and beautiful piece of writing! Thanks for letting me be "a fly on the wall" and part of those intensely personal family moments, Jena.

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Jena Schwartz's avatar

Thank you, Beverly. It was a special piece for me to write, too. So glad to get to share it here.

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Marychris Melli's avatar

Beautiful. Every word. I’m not a mother. I never choose it, never sought it. This story brought up a longing for things I’ve never lived. But in a gorgeous way. Whenever something moves me so quickly to tears, I am grateful for the wisdom of it. Thank you.

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Jena Schwartz's avatar

Marychris, I'm grateful in turn for this beautiful comment.

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