When his mother was hospitalized, Scott Simon took to Twitter with updates, anecdotes and quotes from his mom. The public response was massively overwhelming. Why do you think that was?
Created: 01/19/15
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They empathize with the reality of losing a parent and the heart-felt way Scott catalogued his emotions and observations in this closing act of his mother made everyone who read those Tweets a faceless friend who just passed by quickly to give cheer or say good-bye, too.
The book is a beautiful aria with a final requiem. Laced with humor, saddled with life's problems, getting through the ordinary to achieve a subliminal extraordinary, stitched together with scraps of memory of places and times, and annealed with wisdom for all, this memoir makes for the unforgettable read. I am so glad I did.
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The loss of a parent is a universal experience - we have either experienced it personally or will experience it at some future date. The unique aspect of this universal yet intimate experience is Scott's use of social media to share it with the public. I was completely unaware of this overwhelming public response but, then again, I rarely check my Twitter account. I suppose what Scott did in the moment is somewhat akin to a memoir in a serial format. Some say the serial format is due for a return to popularity.
Join Date: 10/25/12
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As the mother of teenagers, I was familiar with the draw that Twitter can have. Absent was any desire on my part to participate. I get enough news and find sometimes that social media is just taking up too much time. And then I hear about Scott Simon at his mother's bedside. I signed on and just couldn't tear away. I was a late-blooming mama's girl and imagined my own mother at her final days. Had tech been around then, would I? What might I have tweeted? I was right there with them. I couldn't leave, even in the face of such intimate, private thoughts.
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As someone else said, everyone experiences death of a parent in some way. A friend recently lost her 24 year old son a month ago in a car accident and just started posting updates on Facebook on her grief. The response has been tremendous as she is helping others, relating to so many, and helping herself. Scott did the same with his tweets. And it's daring and brave to put yourself out there. Like raising your hand in class to ask a stupid question that everyone else really wants to ask.
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We all love Scott Simon. He put himself out there with his tweets. Each related to a part of his story with his mom. What a beautiful way to write this chapter in his life. We can all relate to losing a loved one; he was there holding her hand, experiencing everything from as close as a person can get, then he shared it with us. His funny, articulate, clear thinking, succinct way of telling a most personal story was beautifully written - so many people are using Social Media now with the "art" of writing getting lost - Scott used this "new way" to tell his loving story. It was sad, uplifting, insightful...how could you not respond?
Join Date: 10/25/12
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I went through the loss of my father in 2013 and it brought up feelings I had with him his last few days. We got to talk A lot and I felt such a closeness with him. Im so glad I had the time. Scott brought back feelings that we can relate to. It really helped me deal with my feelings.
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I really liked the book and I felt the conversations between mother and son were very honest. I usually read mysteries but I now think I need to broaden my categories of reading.
I especially liked the mother's sense of humor. I found myself laughing all by myself. I think she made her son realize what a fulfilling life she had had and made it easier for him to accept what would finally come.
I also have a son and would like to have some conversations like those in this book.
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