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Missy McLamb's avatar

Beth, your essay resonates with such warmth and nuance. It brought me back to moments with my own family that still feel vividly layered with love and longing. Interestingly, I also received a letter from a 'Ryan' (yes, that was actually his name) during my sophomore year, though all I remember is a quote from an Eagles song. Funny how certain memories stay vivid while others blur—your words capture that beautifully.

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Colin Cerniglia's avatar

“We are different from These Others,” was the mostly unspoken slogan my parents embraced. They were real Americans, they said, because they did not take handouts. That they did not need assistance was beside the point. That they needed to keep others down so that they could keep up—this was the point.

^ that hit hard. Unfortunately, there are still many people who live by those values today. Sorry you had to experience it so intimately!

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