Jaed Coffin's Family Tribute & Analysis

     I was incredibly touched by Jaed Coffin's retelling of his childhood experience. I think one of the qualities I value most in personal writing is the writer's ability to look at their childhood accurately and wisely enough that they can extract valuable information that was truly valuable. Coffin didn't sit down and try to make something up out of these experiences he had. It's clear that in clear and coincidentally literary fashion, he faced obstacles and adjusted his life because of them. Sometimes we're not able to be consciously aware of that. But Coffin's reflection of his relationship with his father being also a mirror to his own development isn't something that you can make up convincingly. There's authenticity in his voice that makes it clear this is a true story worth telling. There's a famous quote from Martin Scorsese where he said "The most personal is the most creative". And this is a perfect example of that. Our experiences are so original and specific to us that expressing them and sharing them is the greatest ability we have to express ourselves creatively. Jaed Coffin's stories wouldn't be as powerful if they weren't true to his lived experience. The fact that he lived them is what makes them so compelling.