94 Comments
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Patty Bee's avatar

I could literally hear the clicks while reading this. Beautiful. I’m so sorry for this great loss.

Chris B. Writes's avatar

Thank you so much Patty

Alex Kamis's avatar

So common, these words — chair, screw, buckle, hand. But together they land like a full orchestra. I didn't see it coming.

Chris B. Writes's avatar

That means a lot Alex. Sometimes simple is the way to really express our deepest emotions.

Rachel Nasatka's avatar

This was a beautiful expression of love 🤍

Chris B. Writes's avatar

Thank you Rachel

Rose Maria George's avatar

Chris, this is so deep and beautiful.

Chris B. Writes's avatar

Thank you Rose, it was a very hard one to write emotionally… appreciate it

Hina Gondal's avatar

Hauntingly beautiful

Chris B. Writes's avatar

Thank you Hina

Susan J Hilger's avatar

‘Her chair

now holds his weight’ thank you Chris

Chris B. Writes's avatar

Thank you for reading Susan

Data Frank's avatar

Chris, this is beautiful and deeply moving. I could feel every click, every adjustment, and the love that carries Bray Bray through each moment.

Stories like this remind us how small acts and thoughtful care can hold so much meaning.

Thank you for sharing Cadence’s legacy in such a tender, real way.

Data Frank's avatar

You're welcome, Chris

Data Frank's avatar

You're welcome, Chris

Anna | Tender & True's avatar

Chris, this brought me to tears.

The way you wrote this — you can feel every layer of it. The love, the grief, the weight of what that chair carries… not just physically, but everything attached to it.

As a parent, I felt that deeply — the way something so practical can hold so much meaning. How objects become stories. How they carry people, memories, connections that don’t just disappear.

What that family gave you… and what you’re holding now — it’s so much more than a chair.

It’s legacy. It’s love continuing in a different form. It’s two lives still somehow connected.

I’m just so sorry for the loss surrounding this, and at the same time, so moved by the way you honored it here.

You can feel how much Bray Bray is loved. You can feel how much Cadence is still part of that love too.

I’m holding you in this, truly. 🤍

Chris B. Writes's avatar

Thank you so much Anna for such kind words and for feeling the gravity of it all. I truly appreciate your suppprt and empathy.

Esther Daoust's avatar

Again dear Chris, you find me in tears, … tears of sorrows but also of joy!!!

Candence had to take the way to the other Good World, but! She left by the presence of her parents, a gift that will be with Dear Bray Bray for a good while :) … I find your way of thinking so wonderful, …. Powerful also! You make us think of all the wonderful little and big joys that happen in the life of Bray Bray and your family :) May the family of Candence see all the ways our thoughts are touched with what happened because of the friendship between your two children! I’ve always said:

LOVE IS A WONDERFUL THING:)

Chris B. Writes's avatar

Thank you so much Esther!

Florence Acosta's avatar

Yes, it’s sad what happened to Bray Bray’s friend. A part of her lives on in this chair that he has inherited.🩷

Chris B. Writes's avatar

Thank you Florence

Sherry Prescott-Willis's avatar

Beautifully written and so sorry about Cadence, what an honor for him to have her chair. This is my favorite of your works so far.

Chris B. Writes's avatar

Thank you so much Sherry, I definitely expended a lot of emotionally charged energy on this poem.

Moorea Maguire's avatar

I'm so sorry for the loss of Cadence. What a beautiful gesture by her parents!

Chris B. Writes's avatar

Thank you Moorea

Julie Neches's avatar

A beautiful tribute to Cadence and a wonderful connection that she lives on through Bray Bray as he uses her chair and feels her love.

Chris B. Writes's avatar

Thank you so much Julie, means the world coming from you

Julie Neches's avatar

And it means everything to have you here on Substack sharing yourself and Bray Bray.

Chris B. Writes's avatar

Thank you Julie

Jen Reich's avatar

So very sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences to all who love Cadence. A beautiful tribute.

Jen Ratcliffe ✍️🚣‍♀️'s avatar

Oh Chris ♥️ 'once filled with laughter' now in memory even into this beautifully worded poem. I'm so sorry xxxx

Chris B. Writes's avatar

Thank you Jen.

John Marshall's avatar

Very sad, but what a legacy. Great tribute to life lived and too short.

Chris B. Writes's avatar

Thank you John