What a beautiful article and tribute to both of these men. How incredible that you had the opportunity to interact with them on such an intimate level. Thank you for sharing it with here in a thoughtful and humble way, it was a joy to read.
Beautiful! So much to love here. Your firsthand glimpses into these two men's lives were so lovingly and thoughtfully told, I felt I was there with you in those backrooms as you interviewed them. I love the how the son and father reconnected, and your chagrin and humility when the younger Jones brought you back to ground after your compliments, but also your persistence in getting as much as possible from him while you had time to do so. And that sense of wholeness and balance at the end, turning your reader back to the beginning to look at the face of this so richly talented man who gave so much to the world through his art. Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks so much for this thoughtful and kind response, Deborah. I’m so glad you liked it. And I’m especially grateful that you “got” what I was trying to accomplish in the telling of it. That you felt you were there in those rooms is exactly what I hoped for. Really appreciate that. Thanks also for the restack!
This tribute to James Earl Jones is wonderful, Andrew. Your account of meeting his father, and the story of their estrangement and reconciliation makes JEJ’s success all the more amazing. To me he was always bigger than life, and I admire him even more after reading his story. You’ve certainly led an interesting life. Thanks for sharing some of it with us!
So glad you liked it. That experience inspired the way I wrote this story. JEJ always seemed larger than life to me too. When I was moved to relate my brief moment with him and his dad, I realized I needed something more than my usual essay. Guess I have had an interesting life. Sometimes it amazes even me. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your response.
The following comment comes from a reader who prefers to remain anonymous. I’m posting it with permission because it’s a another powerful example of what J E Jones described.
“I have also been mulling what the young audience member said to Jones. It reminded me of a painful moment in one of my classes at State when I was teaching The Piano Lesson and the passage where the mother says to the daughter, "Don't show your color" came up and this sensitive, wonderful black student in the class was so hurt by it. I tried to explain where the mother (and August Wilson) were coming from, in the context of the times, but he could not get past his hurt and I just felt like I failed.”
Great piece, Andrew. On the day after James Earl Jones' passing, I went on eBay to buy a recording of the stage version of 'The Great White Hope' and can't wait to hear it.
Many thanks, Robert. Glad you liked it. What a great idea to search out a recording of the play. I’ll look for one now too. I saw the film version some years ago, but I’d really like to hear the original performances of that Pulitzer-prize-winning play. Much appreciated!
Andrew- I absolutely love this piece and especially appreciate you sharing your own history on the subject. Like most people, I share your admiration of J E Jones and admit to the fact that one of the few times I openly wept in public was watching Field of Dreams when it opened. Your description of JEJ calling you out on some bs (and why) during your initial contact is priceless. I was ignorant of the term "individuated" so looked it up and thought about it. I realized individuation was a healthy process for me largely because my parents put a very miserable me at 12 years old into an immersive educational environment of HS and College for 8 years that allowed me to greatly benefit from friendships with peers who influenced me in a positive way. Coincidentally, this week I will happily be revisiting some of those peeps in person and now have a better understanding of why those meetings bring me so much comfort. As always, thanks for sharing your perspective. Biz
Biz—I’m really glad to know this piece resonates with you. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on it. I especially appreciate your thoughts on individuation and the importance of the lasting friendships you’ve forged during your own journey through life. Field of Dreams does a number on me too. I got emotional just watching the scene I linked to within the piece.
It’s always good to connect with others in a meaningful way. I’m glad you’ll be doing that this weekend. I really appreciate your kind and thoughtful remarks and feel that I’ll be there too in spirit.
Great scene you referenced but not the one that makes me weep. My dad got some of his early jobs by being a player coach in the industrial leagues before WWII and married life. Having a catch was always the best binding experience for me. Field of Dreams was released when my dad was really struggling with diabetes and I moved he and my mom to Ohio so we could care for him. So the let's have a catch scene always gets me ... always. https://youtu.be/b_wnD6jxREU?si=vQTwdunILy2OUg0i
Oh yeah. Awesome scene, Biz. And I can see now why it means so much to you. Thanks for sharing that memory about your dad. Playing catch with your dad is one of the great experiences in life. It tells the essential truth of what happens between a father and son without saying a word. The tossing of a ball from one to the other is like the passing of DNA, the Y-chromosome, and all the values a father can give to his son. It's good to know you carry vivid memories of that experience and can feel it to this very day.
Excellent article, very informative, and insightful! Thought provoking on many levels. I thoroughly enjoyed it brother.
Thanks so much, Keith. I value your opinion and your perspective a great deal. Your thumbs-up means a great deal to me. Much appreciated, brother!
What a beautiful article and tribute to both of these men. How incredible that you had the opportunity to interact with them on such an intimate level. Thank you for sharing it with here in a thoughtful and humble way, it was a joy to read.
Thank you so much for reading, Jenn. I really appreciate your kind thoughts. Glad you enjoyed it!
You are very welcome!
Beautiful! So much to love here. Your firsthand glimpses into these two men's lives were so lovingly and thoughtfully told, I felt I was there with you in those backrooms as you interviewed them. I love the how the son and father reconnected, and your chagrin and humility when the younger Jones brought you back to ground after your compliments, but also your persistence in getting as much as possible from him while you had time to do so. And that sense of wholeness and balance at the end, turning your reader back to the beginning to look at the face of this so richly talented man who gave so much to the world through his art. Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks so much for this thoughtful and kind response, Deborah. I’m so glad you liked it. And I’m especially grateful that you “got” what I was trying to accomplish in the telling of it. That you felt you were there in those rooms is exactly what I hoped for. Really appreciate that. Thanks also for the restack!
This tribute to James Earl Jones is wonderful, Andrew. Your account of meeting his father, and the story of their estrangement and reconciliation makes JEJ’s success all the more amazing. To me he was always bigger than life, and I admire him even more after reading his story. You’ve certainly led an interesting life. Thanks for sharing some of it with us!
So glad you liked it. That experience inspired the way I wrote this story. JEJ always seemed larger than life to me too. When I was moved to relate my brief moment with him and his dad, I realized I needed something more than my usual essay. Guess I have had an interesting life. Sometimes it amazes even me. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your response.
The following comment comes from a reader who prefers to remain anonymous. I’m posting it with permission because it’s a another powerful example of what J E Jones described.
“I have also been mulling what the young audience member said to Jones. It reminded me of a painful moment in one of my classes at State when I was teaching The Piano Lesson and the passage where the mother says to the daughter, "Don't show your color" came up and this sensitive, wonderful black student in the class was so hurt by it. I tried to explain where the mother (and August Wilson) were coming from, in the context of the times, but he could not get past his hurt and I just felt like I failed.”
Great piece, Andrew. On the day after James Earl Jones' passing, I went on eBay to buy a recording of the stage version of 'The Great White Hope' and can't wait to hear it.
Many thanks, Robert. Glad you liked it. What a great idea to search out a recording of the play. I’ll look for one now too. I saw the film version some years ago, but I’d really like to hear the original performances of that Pulitzer-prize-winning play. Much appreciated!
Andrew- I absolutely love this piece and especially appreciate you sharing your own history on the subject. Like most people, I share your admiration of J E Jones and admit to the fact that one of the few times I openly wept in public was watching Field of Dreams when it opened. Your description of JEJ calling you out on some bs (and why) during your initial contact is priceless. I was ignorant of the term "individuated" so looked it up and thought about it. I realized individuation was a healthy process for me largely because my parents put a very miserable me at 12 years old into an immersive educational environment of HS and College for 8 years that allowed me to greatly benefit from friendships with peers who influenced me in a positive way. Coincidentally, this week I will happily be revisiting some of those peeps in person and now have a better understanding of why those meetings bring me so much comfort. As always, thanks for sharing your perspective. Biz
Biz—I’m really glad to know this piece resonates with you. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on it. I especially appreciate your thoughts on individuation and the importance of the lasting friendships you’ve forged during your own journey through life. Field of Dreams does a number on me too. I got emotional just watching the scene I linked to within the piece.
It’s always good to connect with others in a meaningful way. I’m glad you’ll be doing that this weekend. I really appreciate your kind and thoughtful remarks and feel that I’ll be there too in spirit.
Great scene you referenced but not the one that makes me weep. My dad got some of his early jobs by being a player coach in the industrial leagues before WWII and married life. Having a catch was always the best binding experience for me. Field of Dreams was released when my dad was really struggling with diabetes and I moved he and my mom to Ohio so we could care for him. So the let's have a catch scene always gets me ... always. https://youtu.be/b_wnD6jxREU?si=vQTwdunILy2OUg0i
Oh yeah. Awesome scene, Biz. And I can see now why it means so much to you. Thanks for sharing that memory about your dad. Playing catch with your dad is one of the great experiences in life. It tells the essential truth of what happens between a father and son without saying a word. The tossing of a ball from one to the other is like the passing of DNA, the Y-chromosome, and all the values a father can give to his son. It's good to know you carry vivid memories of that experience and can feel it to this very day.