Little Notes From Above

-
Every other day or so I get a note from a reader of Oh Brother! The Life and Times of Jeff Fazzolari. Some days I get three or four notes. I certainly answer and treasure every single one.

The book was never intended to gain praise from people that I've never had the pleasure to meet. It certainly wasn't written with a National Book Award in mind, but what the hell? The more people who know about Jeff's life, the better, right?

I wrote it for my family only, but I should have considered that Jeff's life was way more powerful than that! Here are three notes that I received today. People who I've never met. People who reached out to me after reading along. If I never write another sentence...

Hi Cliff--

I just wanted to drop you a note to say I just read your book. A wonderful tribute to your brother Jeff.

Being from a large family myself I understand the love and bonds between siblings. Our parent’s greatest gift to us has been each other for sure.

Your thoughts and memories lift right off the pages making you feel like you are there among you. You have a gift writing the way you do.

May God Bless and keep you all in the palm of his hand.

Sincerely,

Margaret

Hi, Cliff!

I just finished reading Oh, Brother!. I think I went through a whole box of Kleenex. But I also laughed my butt off throughout the book. There are so many things I want to say about it, I don't even know where to start.

First, thank you for writing it.

All I could think while I read about your wonderful family and amazing, funny, loving brother was, "What a gift this book is". Such a gift to his children, your whole family and everyone who reads it who then stops, thinks about their relationships and learns to cherish them.

Also, I want to tell you how lucky you are. I know you know this, but despite the unspeakable loss, the grief, you and your family have had a richness and closeness that too many people never know or take for granted. Thanks for writing about all of it.

If aliens someday come here to Earth after we've wiped ourselves out, I hope it's your book they find so they can get an idea of what a truly good, honest, loving family was all about.

Anyhow, I felt compelled to let you know how much I liked the book and it's message. My mom wants to borrow it, but I'm not letting anyone get my copy. I will have to get several more copies to pass the gift on to my family members. Thanks again, and best wishes always to you and yours!

Wendy

Hi, Cliff!

I just finished reading Oh Brother! last night. What an amazing story you told...I would bet it was difficult to write, while at the same time, healing. His children (and all of your family members...whom I feel like I know well because of the book!) will treasure this book forever...such a great way to keep their father's memory alive!

Several years ago I read Nobody's Home...so dark, but I couldn't put it down! A great read...enjoy your blog, too!
Keep up the good work, Cliff!

All the best,

Brenda.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Hot & Dusty

-
Back about 18 years ago I worked with a project manager who taught me to always include the weather in my recap of the days events. This was during the summer months, and before long I was getting descriptive in my accounts. I used to always write something like, "Cloudy with a drizzle of rain," or my personal favorite, "Hot & Dusty." The project manager used to laugh at some of the strange one's I'd come up with, but I thought of it again this week when a buddy texted from Philly to let me know how much snow was coming down. "How's the weather there?" Gag asked. "Hot and dusty," was the quick reply. An my oh, my isn't this refreshing - people out there in computer land are whining and crying about all of the snow and the postponed school and the treacherous driving, and here in sunny Buffalo, we wait, and laugh, and laugh and laugh. I probably shouldn't jinx it because we deserve our rep up here, but it is kind of funny t
Read more