I always knew in the back of my mind that having a best friend 44 years older than me would end badly for both of us – though, as she would interject, it ended worse for her. Mimi Hook, known to our family and to readers of this newsletter as Aunt Mimi, was 89. For those new here, I started this email in 2014, sending it to friends, family, and others unlucky enough to be in my contacts list. Mimi would be driven mad by the typos, circle them, and text me a screen shot. Eventually I told her that if she was so bothered by them, it was her duty to fix them ahead of time. She agreed to become this newsletter’s volunteer copy editor.
Ryan, Thanks for sharing this wonderful tribute of your best friend. What a loss. I hope you will write more about her life. It sounds as if she has quite a story to tell. Hope to see you in TV when you visit your dad.
Sorry for your loss. My dad passed away recently at 91. It's been very difficult, I don't think that relationships naturally lose their value as each party age. I wrote this on our way we ignore parental death in this culture.
Lovely piece of writing Ryan, I very much enjoyed it. It’s a wonderful thing to have an older relative or friend who, very much, marches to best of a different drummer. For me it was my grandfather Jackson and I think that he and Mimi would have enjoyed one another’s company.
Thank you so much for introducing me to Aunt Mimi. My first name is actually Miriam and I’ve often wished that instead of calling me by my middle name as my parents did, they had given me the nickname, Mimi. I even bought a Tervis Tumblers that has a Mimi embroidered patch between its insulating walls that I use as my bathroom cup. When my sister was dying, she told me I should just start using the name. She and your Aunt Mimi would have adored one another.
May Mimi Hook rest in peace. It is wonderful to have such people in our lives and they are dearly missed when gone. May you find peace as you mourn her death.
Very touching and beautifully written. As so many people pass on around their birthday and I two weeks ago reach my 81st, this wonderful "Grandma" Mimi story hits home at an even deeper level. Lives are so fascinating and how wonderful for Mimi to have such a wonderful and loving "grandson" to memorialize her in this extraordinary word monument to a life well lived.
A beautiful and moving meditation, I had a grandmother who had a similar experience growing in the Fern Hill area ( now Nob Hill) in San Francisco. She attended Castelea school nearby and learned to play the piano there. She was the heart and soul of our family while I was growing up. Your story of Mimi brought back some wonderful memories and the sounds of my grandmother's music which brought us such joy. Thank you, Ryan.
I found 2 typos. A tribute to your grandmother Mimi. May her memory be a blessing.
Ryan, Thanks for sharing this wonderful tribute of your best friend. What a loss. I hope you will write more about her life. It sounds as if she has quite a story to tell. Hope to see you in TV when you visit your dad.
It's clear that you both made life better for each other. A beautiful tribute!
Sorry for your loss. My dad passed away recently at 91. It's been very difficult, I don't think that relationships naturally lose their value as each party age. I wrote this on our way we ignore parental death in this culture.
https://open.substack.com/pub/paulfinlayson/p/riffing-on-dylan-thomas-b37?r=iy2ds&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Damn, what a woman. Many blessings to you and loved ones.
surprised myself by reading to the end. very nicely done.
Lovely piece of writing Ryan, I very much enjoyed it. It’s a wonderful thing to have an older relative or friend who, very much, marches to best of a different drummer. For me it was my grandfather Jackson and I think that he and Mimi would have enjoyed one another’s company.
Thank you so much for introducing me to Aunt Mimi. My first name is actually Miriam and I’ve often wished that instead of calling me by my middle name as my parents did, they had given me the nickname, Mimi. I even bought a Tervis Tumblers that has a Mimi embroidered patch between its insulating walls that I use as my bathroom cup. When my sister was dying, she told me I should just start using the name. She and your Aunt Mimi would have adored one another.
Again, thank you. Mimi is now in my life...
May Mimi Hook rest in peace. It is wonderful to have such people in our lives and they are dearly missed when gone. May you find peace as you mourn her death.
This is wonderful, thank you for writing it. Sorry for your loss.
This was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us. I've enjoyed hearing about Mimi over the years.
Very touching and beautifully written. As so many people pass on around their birthday and I two weeks ago reach my 81st, this wonderful "Grandma" Mimi story hits home at an even deeper level. Lives are so fascinating and how wonderful for Mimi to have such a wonderful and loving "grandson" to memorialize her in this extraordinary word monument to a life well lived.
A beautiful and moving meditation, I had a grandmother who had a similar experience growing in the Fern Hill area ( now Nob Hill) in San Francisco. She attended Castelea school nearby and learned to play the piano there. She was the heart and soul of our family while I was growing up. Your story of Mimi brought back some wonderful memories and the sounds of my grandmother's music which brought us such joy. Thank you, Ryan.
Great article Ryan. Such a fitting tribute to Mimi. I only met her a few times but i could see her face as i read the article. I'm sure you miss her..
Gorgeous tribute; you did her proud. Her love of life will surely live on in all of you.
Beautiful tribute