“Rosie Schaap Reflects on Love and Loss: ‘He Wanted to Go on Reading Because He Wanted to Go on Living'”

In a poignant reflection on love and loss, Rosie Schaap shares her experience of spending Valentine’s Day in 2010 with her husband, Frank, who was gravely ill in hospice care. The couple had a tradition of reading Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Parliament of Fowls” together every year on this day, a practice born out of their mutual appreciation for literature rather than any commercialized notions of romance. As Frank lay in pain, yet still curious and engaged, they clung to their ritual even in the face of impending loss. Schaap’s prose captures the tenderness and urgency of this time, illustrating not just their love for each other but also Frank’s unyielding desire to continue living through reading, despite his physical decline. The narrative escalates to a heart-wrenching climax as Schaap recounts the moment she needs to leave his side briefly, only to return and realize he has passed away in her absence. This tragic turn evokes deep reflections on the nature of presence, love, and the haunting weight of regret. The absurdity of a day meant to celebrate love becomes a backdrop for an exploration of grief, memory, and the fleeting nature of life. The moments of shared laughter and reading contrast sharply with Schaap’s later regrets, creating a rich tapestry of emotion that resonates powerfully with the reader. For those who have experienced similar losses, Schaap’s insights into the fragility of life and the depth of love will strike a familiar chord.

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Rosie Schaap’s writing shines with a raw elegance that captivates the reader’s heart and mind, masterfully intertwining the themes of love and loss within the fabric of everyday life. Her ability to articulate the indescribable nuances of grief, while drawing the reader into her intimate world with Frank, reveals not only her literary prowess but also her deep understanding of the human experience. In navigating the bittersweet landscape of her memories, she crafts a narrative that resonates with both authenticity and profound emotional weight, a testament to her talents as a storyteller and her remarkable insight as a fellow traveler in the journey of love.