Oh my! I read his posts every month or so and am poles apart from his political views, but the man can write. That was beautifully written--thanks so much for reminding me to check the blog, Salgal.

This is worth the read--a peek into the Amish life--they really know how to send off their loved ones with beauty and respect.

What a wonderful tribute.

Waaay too long for me.

I took a quick peak at a few other posts, and it would seem that the guy has a major problem of being too long-winded.

There's a clever old quote about being succinct. I'm sure this isn't an exact version but it'll get the point across. An expert was visiting a customer's facility where he was working on a consulting project. He was asked if he could give a summary presentation on a particular topic to a group of 50 attendees. His response was "If you'd like me to speak for one hour, I can do that right now. If you'd like a 15 minute presentation, that'll take me a few days to prepare." This guy should take more time to slim down his essays so that they're more crisp and to the point.

Yes, he can be long winded, and like sjerin I clash with his politics more than I agree.
I don't expect everyone will like his style, but here's the thing: He has always written for himself. No one else. He has had some success with his book, more than he could have ever predicted, but I guarantee, he would still write his blog even if no one read it.
You would have to go some way back in his writings to get even a glimpse of his life story. It's remarkable and he poignantly tells it layer by layer as he sees and remembers.
I hope I am never succinct when sharing my admiration and love of my mother.

It was a long story, but I truly enjoyed it.... as well as some of his earlier writings that you have shared. I think he writes (sort of) like I do.... a clearing of my mind while catching wisps of memories that help sort out my deeper feelings. "Looking into ones heart" maybe, and sharing those journeys that flow from there. Thank you for sending me to his blog again (on my new computer). And such a wonderful peek at those customs.

I clicked on Archives on the right and randomly came upon a piece about his apartment. It was also too long to read. To me, good writers of any style can express themselves clearly and with economy of words. I don't think he has the ability to do so.

You think he writes for himself? Putting his things on the internet and taking comments from readers is hardly the approach of someone who views their writing as something personal and not for others.

If you like what he does, great.

I was hoping he went to see her BEFORE she died.....

I agree about too long-winded. Didn't get much past her death.

"Long" doesn't do justice to this strangely adolescent rambling.

It must be difficult to grow up in what sounds like such an 'emotionally constipated' society. There are reasons a person stays away, but now he wants credit for 'releasing' his mother to death? Remote control? He may have succeeded in releasing himself.

Oops! My incredulity is showing. I understand that prayer can be a useful means of introspection. However, there is too much conflict of reason for me in a belief that an omnipotent god needs (or heeds) prayers. I do understand the human desire to feel we are more important than we are and that we have more control over the world than we do.

Oh dear, you would have had to read his book to understand where he is coming from--it explains a lot about him. He did visit his mom and dad a few months ago. As I said, I don't agree with him on several fronts, but there is a reason for his opinions and I enjoy his descriptive prose--it doesn't work to judge him and his culture by our standards. Don't you at least find it interesting to read about an Amish funeral?

It is common knowledge that often the dying need to know their family is ready to let them go, before they will expire.

chisue, I have the same you incredulity you describe. While I might add a few things, I could not have expressed it better than you did in the last paragraph.

I know that the dying often hang on until loved ones 'let them go', but this man was not present to do so. I don't believe this can be a 'remote' process except as it helps him to believe he's done a good thing.

I appreciate his hidebound upbringing. I'm happy if blogging helps *him*. It still reads too much like an adolescent's diary for me. You mention he's written a book -- with an editor, I hope.

Don't mind me. I don't enjoy Thoreau either.

Thanks, Snidely. We hard-hearted Whiplashes have to stick together.

It would be silly to argue what someone should or should not like. We all make the world a better place because of our differences more so than our same-ness.

I was sharing because I know some do enjoy his blog.

Yes, Ira did have an editor for his NYT bestselling book.
But if you read his blog...his style was not heavily edited.

BTW, after only and 8th grade, one room school house education, he (all alone) put himself through Vincennes University, Bob Jones, and Dickinson Law. Although he is not currently practicing law, he passed the bar and keeps his necessary credentials current every year.

And no, I don't believe he thinks God answered his - and only his - prayer at that exact moment. But rather an overwhelming release that she was no longer suffering and that agonizing prayer never had to be uttered again.

Salgal, I thoroughly enjoyed it and read every word. It gave me a very descriptive and insightful glimpse of how others live and die. I'm glad you posted it. It was very very enjoyable. I have no problem with how he writes as his story was easy to read and believe and imagine. That constitutes a good writer in my book. Thanks for posting it.

I was intrigued that the "plain folk", black-buggy Mennonites, were using the internet, renting cars, etc. ... and was glad of the opportunity to have this thoroughgoing insight into the way these people, who follow the same Master as I claim to, think and live.

While there were many ways in which we think differently, there were a number of similarities, as well.

While I did get bored somewhat with the length of the story, I felt that the fullness of the ways that he expressed his thought and emotions helped me to understand where he was coming from ... and going ... somewhat more fully.

The funeral took place abut thirty miles from me, along the route that I'll travel to visit Iva and, thinking that I'd like to visit their settlement near Aylmer, to share some ideas and to express to others in his family my appreciation for the story that he told, I wrote down a couple of their names, so I'd know for whom to look.

ole joyful

This was a very good description of an Amish funeral and how they face and treat death. Respect was everywhere.

I do not think the writer was Amish since he drove a Charger and ordered a scotch to drink. He may have come from an Amish family, but he did not practice their ways.

He indicated that he'd distanced himself somewhat from some of the traditional ideas.

He had a good deal of empathy for the man whose family had been pushed out of more than one such fellowship due to the peculiarities of his son. I wanted him to say that he'd gone around the corner of the counter and given/offered that lonely/disfellowshipped man a hug.

ole joyful