147 Comments
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Audrey Gran Weinberg's avatar

This was delightful! What a perfect delivery and yes, such a touching story that it brought tears to my eyes!👀 I love your tattoo! Thank you for sharing it; it’s so important to not stop. 😘

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Nan Tepper's avatar

Thank you, Audrey. Big hugs to you. xo

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According to Mimi's avatar

So much love and respect for this work and for you!

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Nan Tepper's avatar

Thank you, lovely Mimi. I have to call you that...I know I've said something before about this, but the association to the memory of my grandmother (Meme) is something I love every time I see on the platform. If it's ever not okay with you, please let me know. And I'll call you by your other name...but right now I can't remember what it is... Big hugs! xo

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According to Mimi's avatar

I am 100% okay with being called Mimi by everybody but my students. (Because that visits creepy-town.) It is my favorite of my many names!

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Nan Tepper's avatar

I'm SO happy! xo

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

Awww Nan, you are so precious. Yes, you have many profoundly meaningful stories. I’m so touched by your tender courageous wit!

I’m so glad I got a chance to stop by and read this.

Thank you for interrupting your own story for us to get a good view of your tattoos .

Outstanding love ❤️

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Nan Tepper's avatar

Thanks, Prajna! My newish relationship with adding tattoos has been really fascinating to me. I've gotten 3 in the last year. My last before that was almost 5 years ago, and before that, 32 years. I feel the gap narrowing??? Maybe by the time I'm 80 I'll truly be a tattooed lady. (I hate the word "lady"). I do love this story, and it was really fun to make the videos. xo

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Susan Krawitz's avatar

Incredible essay, Nan.

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Nan Tepper's avatar

Thanks, Susan. We need a lunch date! I'll get in touch. xo

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Simone Senisin's avatar

I loved this Nan; l also love listening to you read.😊;;;;;;;;;

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Nan Tepper's avatar

Thanks, Simone! xo

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Simone Senisin's avatar

Thanks for your openness Nan 😊. The tattoo is cool, got a few too 🖤

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Nan Tepper's avatar

Any time. What kind of tats do you have? xo

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Simone Senisin's avatar

A treble clef, a watercolour like rainbow coloured love heart with John’s name, a personalised sigil ❤️🥰

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Nan Tepper's avatar

Nice! I had to look up what a sigil is. Now I know! I'm probably going to write another tattoo piece very soon. Maybe as soon as this week...we'll see.

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Chris Stanton's avatar

I’ve loved a good semicolon since long before I learned about its symbolism earlier this year. Learned about it, I should add, from you. Loved this piece, and your airport story made my day. ❤️

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Nan Tepper's avatar

Thanks, sweetie pie! Oooooh! It's Chris day. Love my Fridays. Even if I don't get to your post tonight, seeing it come into my email makes me impossibly happy. Big hugs, buddy. xo

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Dina Honour's avatar

I love that punctuation that isn't really punctuation--but still sort of is--paved the way for two strangers to hug in an airport parking lot. We all need more stories like this right now, Nan!

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Nan Tepper's avatar

Thanks, Dina. Yes, we do. In the midst of all the crazy, love and connection can be found, and encouraged to grow. And I need that so badly right now. It keeps me focused and hopeful. xo

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Cathy Joseph's avatar

I love your chance encounter in what seems like the fellowship of the semicolon. What a wonderful connection the two of you had. The Universe is amazing in facilitating these incredible pockets of meaning and joy...!

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Nan Tepper's avatar

Thanks, Cathy. It was absolutely charmed, and so beautiful to share that moment with him. It felt like a blessing for the trip I was making. That everything was going to be okay. xo

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Cathy Joseph's avatar

So nice!

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Leslie Senevey's avatar

I had no idea about the semicolon's symbolism. How appropriate! And how perfect for you not just for the meaning but also for the connection to writing. Good choice!

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Nan Tepper's avatar

Thanks, lovely! xo

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Pamela Erens's avatar

This is wonderful, Nan, both on my favorite punctuation mark and on the fight to stay in the game of life. XOXO

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Nan Tepper's avatar

Thanks, Pamela. Next time we talk, I want to hear more about your relationship with the semicolon as a writer. xo

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Madstack of Mac's avatar

Virginia Woolf indeed loved semi-colons, as do we. 💛

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Nan Tepper's avatar

She did. We do! xo

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Amy Ferris's avatar

I knew Amy Bleuel - her amazing support for my anthology, Shades of Blue, was so very inspiring. Her death was devastating.

Your words are powerful & inspiring. Thank you.

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Nan Tepper's avatar

Shades of Blue was so amazing. I'm glad you knew her. I'd love to hear more about her one day, if you ever feel like sharing. Thanks for reading, Amy. xo

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Lyns McCracken's avatar

Every time I get to know you better, I feel more and more like I’m looking in a mirror. Thank you for this awesome post, Nan! I had no idea you have a semicolon tattoo too!! I had no idea that was why you have a semicolon in your logo. So cool!! We are semicolon sisters 😄🥰 sending you a giant hug.

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Nan Tepper's avatar

Love you, sweetheart. I'm glad to know all of this about you. We have a lot of things in common. I may even believe in ghosts. xo

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Lyns McCracken's avatar

Love you back! I will make you a believer one of these days!! 😄👻

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Nan Tepper's avatar

I saw one, once, that I'm aware of. Crazy story. Maybe I'll write about it one day.

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Jaymi “the OC BookGirl”'s avatar

Thank you for this beautiful piece.

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Nan Tepper's avatar

You are very welcome. Thank you for reading it and then letting me know. xo

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Eileen Vorbach Collins's avatar

Ooof! This got me right in the nasal sinuses. I can't begin to tell you how much I love this story and your presentation. And of course your semicolon tattoo. Now I want to meet you in a parking lot, hold up my arm to show you mine, and squeeze the stuffing out of you.

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Nan Tepper's avatar

When can we do that? I'm on the east coast...I think you are too? I'd love that. xo

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Eileen Vorbach Collins's avatar

Oh lets! And Rona too.

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Nan Tepper's avatar

OH, that would be amazing. But Canadians don’t come to the US anymore. We’ll figure something out. xo

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Nancy Jainchill's avatar

I love this essay. I love the quotes at the beginning and then the personal reveal. And the hug at the end. May be a favorite of mine. Just enough and so much. xoxo

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Nan Tepper's avatar

Thanks, Nancy! That means a lot. xo

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