Tiny Love Stories: ‘Nudes of the Man I Miss'
A Record of Two Loves
Do photos of my dead mother belong next to nude pictures of my ex? Doubtful. But that's the reality in my 'hidden' iPhone album. A real sick party. Recently, I stumbled across pictures of my mom's final days. I'd been compelled to document that time, creating a visual record I didn't want but knew I needed while processing grief. To free myself from scrolling past these difficult images without warning, I finally hid them. The result? Photos of my dying mom alongside hot nudes of the man I miss — a juxtaposition of love and longing so inappropriate yet so human. — Rachel Sampson
'Tell Me True'
In Arabic-inflected English, Grandma asked, 'How are you?' 'Fine,' I answered. She gave me a look that said she didn't believe me. 'Tell me true,' she said. Wedded at 16 in Damascus, she had spent decades with my grandfather in an arranged marriage. How could I tell her that at 27 I was heartbroken and about to leave my husband of only two years? She waited for my answer in gentle silence. I forced out the words. She nodded, smiled sadly and hugged me. Years later, I hold her lesson close: Real connection blooms only if you tell it true. — Susie Hara
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