Thanks so much for your kind words. I loved seeing/hearing you! So far, death has forced me to crawl toward the light with more urgency. Especially after Mel too. :-( I always say that Jesus Carries Me Through. Hope Mr. Jesus is in good shape for this one. Merry Happy Christmas, get well Dave and please Miss Heather, keep in touch. I need friends like you. Love, Linda
Your gift is yourself, Linda. Your writing is encouraging and loving even in your grief. Bless you this Christmas, even though different and so difficult. Love, Janet
Thanks for allowing us to walk with you on this journey of life. You are a gifted writer and I deeply resonate with what you express. I hope we can do a book together down the road because more people need what you express. Holding on to hope, especially on the darkest of days, is led by love.
I'm so honored to know you. I'd love to do a book with you. That is, if you can sneak me past those marketing people who want a huge platform, LOL. I can't stop being who I am, so thank you for supporting my work. Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth, Linda
Susan, Loss is part of life--something we Americans don't like to acknowledge. Still my loss hurts--I know how much I loved him by the depth of the pain. As Nadia Bolz-Weber says, "if life didn't hurt we'd be pretty boring." I think that's meaningful, even while I mourn. Thank you for being there for me. I hope I can return the love. Merry Christmas, Linda
Pam, This Christmas will be first for us both. I hope and pray that you will receive the gift of peace, the gift of hope, the gift of Love. Thank you so much for being a faithful reader. It means everything to me. Merry Christmas, friend. ~Linda
I am a faithful reader indeed-I share your posts with an older woman I know-she says when I read these, it's like you talking!! What a wonderful compliment for me. The holidays have not been challenging, it's the little things I miss the most. We both will be ok. We have stout hearts.
Indeed we are stout-hearted broads! I'm like you--it's the little things I miss most. I think of you often--it gives me courage to keep going. Love, Linda
Though Beatrice got the pen and stationery in your childhood Christmas, you received the gift of writing, and after all these years, after all the pages and letters and books and essays you’ve given, may this gift bring comfort and clarity and shelter, as well as the many who love you. We are here with you. Thank you for inviting us in.
Ohhhh girlfriend—your writing is so classy raw (if that makes sense! lol) and I appreciate every word you put forth…I can’t begin to imagine what you’re going through or feeling, but I’m sure your family doesn’t expect you to give a crap (unclassy raw) about Christmas.
I love how you liken this part of grieving as transition in labor! I still remember it though my daughter is 44. lol! I could have grabbed the nurse by the throat who told me I was too far along for an epidural and shaken her if she hadn’t been smart enough to stay out of reach. Transition finds us at our rawest, our least filtered…perfect way to describe where the loss of your beloved husband leaves you…
Definitely holding you close to my heart till we get through this season. ❤️
My heart is glad that you get it! My transitions in labor are not fit to print in a family publication, LOL. When I gave birth to my youngest--surprise twins--I think I bit somebody (the back labor was so bad). But it gives hope to know that yes, we lived through it. I can't even crawl right now, so Jesus will have to carry me through this. Happy Holy Holiday to you, my friend. Much Love, Linda
I know you are likely still in a fog, but hang in there. A few weeks after my wife passed (she was 48 and I 49, not 70+) hospice began a brief group that the participants extended from 8-10 weeks into 1.5 yrs or more. It was a big help, as were my kids ( teens at the time). Although a lonely feeling, you do not have to go it alone! There's lots of work left for you to accomplish in this world.
I'm so sorry you lost your wife so young. Right now I'm mostly rather numb and feeling guilty for not attending to Christmas as I usually do. My three wonderful grands--13, 11 and 8 will not suffer much, but I haven't secured gifts for much of anybody else. Not even counting that I do not like to shop, it feels really extraneous to me until I remember that a gift should reflect love. I don't know what I will or won't accomplish but I certainly try to connect with others as we walk through this strange thing called life. Hope your holiday is grand and thanks for reading my posts. It means so much. ~Linda
I’m late to the game but wanted to say you knocked it out of park on this essay. Was so good to connect last week.
Heather,
Thanks so much for your kind words. I loved seeing/hearing you! So far, death has forced me to crawl toward the light with more urgency. Especially after Mel too. :-( I always say that Jesus Carries Me Through. Hope Mr. Jesus is in good shape for this one. Merry Happy Christmas, get well Dave and please Miss Heather, keep in touch. I need friends like you. Love, Linda
Your gift is yourself, Linda. Your writing is encouraging and loving even in your grief. Bless you this Christmas, even though different and so difficult. Love, Janet
Janet,
What a sweet and kind thing to say. The difficult part is ahead but I find myself carried by Jesus himself. Merry Christmas to you. Linda
Thanks for allowing us to walk with you on this journey of life. You are a gifted writer and I deeply resonate with what you express. I hope we can do a book together down the road because more people need what you express. Holding on to hope, especially on the darkest of days, is led by love.
Catherine,
I'm so honored to know you. I'd love to do a book with you. That is, if you can sneak me past those marketing people who want a huge platform, LOL. I can't stop being who I am, so thank you for supporting my work. Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth, Linda
Oh, Linda. I'm so sorry. My heart and prayers are with you. xoxo
Susan, Loss is part of life--something we Americans don't like to acknowledge. Still my loss hurts--I know how much I loved him by the depth of the pain. As Nadia Bolz-Weber says, "if life didn't hurt we'd be pretty boring." I think that's meaningful, even while I mourn. Thank you for being there for me. I hope I can return the love. Merry Christmas, Linda
thank you for your insight
Pam, This Christmas will be first for us both. I hope and pray that you will receive the gift of peace, the gift of hope, the gift of Love. Thank you so much for being a faithful reader. It means everything to me. Merry Christmas, friend. ~Linda
I am a faithful reader indeed-I share your posts with an older woman I know-she says when I read these, it's like you talking!! What a wonderful compliment for me. The holidays have not been challenging, it's the little things I miss the most. We both will be ok. We have stout hearts.
Indeed we are stout-hearted broads! I'm like you--it's the little things I miss most. I think of you often--it gives me courage to keep going. Love, Linda
Though Beatrice got the pen and stationery in your childhood Christmas, you received the gift of writing, and after all these years, after all the pages and letters and books and essays you’ve given, may this gift bring comfort and clarity and shelter, as well as the many who love you. We are here with you. Thank you for inviting us in.
Donna, I'm happy to expand my heart (thanks to God!) and be a welcoming friend. Much Love, LInda
Ohhhh girlfriend—your writing is so classy raw (if that makes sense! lol) and I appreciate every word you put forth…I can’t begin to imagine what you’re going through or feeling, but I’m sure your family doesn’t expect you to give a crap (unclassy raw) about Christmas.
I love how you liken this part of grieving as transition in labor! I still remember it though my daughter is 44. lol! I could have grabbed the nurse by the throat who told me I was too far along for an epidural and shaken her if she hadn’t been smart enough to stay out of reach. Transition finds us at our rawest, our least filtered…perfect way to describe where the loss of your beloved husband leaves you…
Definitely holding you close to my heart till we get through this season. ❤️
Julie,
My heart is glad that you get it! My transitions in labor are not fit to print in a family publication, LOL. When I gave birth to my youngest--surprise twins--I think I bit somebody (the back labor was so bad). But it gives hope to know that yes, we lived through it. I can't even crawl right now, so Jesus will have to carry me through this. Happy Holy Holiday to you, my friend. Much Love, Linda
Linda,
I know you are likely still in a fog, but hang in there. A few weeks after my wife passed (she was 48 and I 49, not 70+) hospice began a brief group that the participants extended from 8-10 weeks into 1.5 yrs or more. It was a big help, as were my kids ( teens at the time). Although a lonely feeling, you do not have to go it alone! There's lots of work left for you to accomplish in this world.
Steve,
I'm so sorry you lost your wife so young. Right now I'm mostly rather numb and feeling guilty for not attending to Christmas as I usually do. My three wonderful grands--13, 11 and 8 will not suffer much, but I haven't secured gifts for much of anybody else. Not even counting that I do not like to shop, it feels really extraneous to me until I remember that a gift should reflect love. I don't know what I will or won't accomplish but I certainly try to connect with others as we walk through this strange thing called life. Hope your holiday is grand and thanks for reading my posts. It means so much. ~Linda