Lovely as always! Thanks for the history lesson about widow weeds...I never knew that. I’m glad you’re staying in your home. A place of love and growing together that forever unites you (and your children) to your husband. May things work out smoothly as you decide on the tree...sounds like a keeper to me!
Oh, thank you, Joan! I can’t remember where I first came across the phrase but it struck me. For some reason I’m thinking it may have been Joni Mitchell.
Good news! The arborist came this morning and said that the tree is in good shape. The crews that worked on it the two times we hired them did a great job. He said not to worry about it for three years or so. What a relief. Now I just need to find someone honest to do the gutters . . .
**This may be a bit longer than usual but I PROMISE there is a point I hope you find a great as I have.
-------–----------------------------
I have to admit I found your writing by accident. But after reading a few of your stories, it's just another checkmark for the Universe at work. Always putting the right people in each other's paths at exactly the right time and taking the wrong ones out before the forever hurt sets in. You are one of the right ones.
My laptop was acting up about half hour ago and I'm not technically inclined more than I have to be. My youngest son (19) was asleep so I was frustrated I couldn't finish writing my piece I've been working on for days. I was frustrated and went to Kitchen and my son woke up for a drink. I told him what was wrong and told him after he woke up would be fine to look at it. He said well Mom this is after I'm up, I will come look at it. While I'm waiting I got a notice of new stories on Stack. I don't always read them as often as I like because I am a writer for Medium and it's hard to dedicate equal time. But since I had the time and using my phone I opened the app.
I first noticed your last name is spelled similar to my first, and your first name is my mom's name. I thought how ironic and I smiled.
I then noticed your Bio and some stories you published on Stack.
I recognized myself in those titles.
I have similar ones on Medium.
I am also a (cringe as I say it) Widow. Yesterday was 23 months since I lost my husband Anthony to Head & Neck Cancer and metastasized to his right side neck Lymph Nodes. He was 56 yrs old. We were married for 30 years but together 39 years the year he passed away (in my arms) February 12 2022.
We have one of those stories. Some which are on Medium, some not written yet. We met when I was just 13, he was 17. He was my first boyfriend, my only boyfriend. My first and forever love. We weren't perfect but we were perfect for each other. The only boy then man I ever knew in everyday. We have 6 adult children (ages 36 yrs down to 19 yrs), 5 of them spoken for and we have 11 grandchildren ages 15 yrs down to 17 mos. We has a rare but real and true unconditional love that continues in my heart today. It will forever.
I see that rare love in your writing as well and I just had to connect with you. Not every one gets it when you lose a spouse but when the soul is also bonded together its so much more than that and it's even harder for anyone to understand unless they have been there. I wouldn't wish this pain on the cruelest person on earth.
I'm sorry for such a long comment but I needed to reach out to you. I'm sorry for the loss of your husband. I admire your courage too. I'm just starting out as a Writer. I left my 40 year Professional Chef career after I lost Anthony. The passion is gone. Writing was always a passion but a hobby. I only hope I can write half as beautifully as you do and keep my husband's memory alive while honoring the Love and Soul connection we shared with each other.
I look forward to following you. I will upgrade my free subscription in a week or so when I am able to afford to do so.
It's been a pleasure meeting you. Thank you for listening. Take care.
I’m so honored by your kind words, and your choice to become a paid subscriber. And deeply sorry for the loss of your soulmate. It’s a level of sorrow that we both understand. You are so fortunate to have him always in your heart, but he’s gone from your side.
It is a blessing, at this time in my life, to be able to devote time to writing. I was separated from my true calling for many years and many reasons. I’m excited for your pursuit of your dream. It’s completely worth it. Just think how your husband is smiling to see you hard at work into the early hours of the morning. A gift to both of you.
How fortunate you are to have such a beautiful family. I don’t have grandchildren. But there are lot of kids out there who are in need of some spoiling!
I’m so happy we’ve found each other on Substack. I will definitely follow your work. Thank you for the links.
And again, I’m overwhelmed. Your support means so much to me.
Thank you for sharing your story, and for writing your stories. I agree, there are some connections that can’t be explained away.
Thank you Mary. Even in all my sorrow and emptiness I am grateful for being loved the way I was loved my Anthony. Also so much more grateful for the blessing of being able to Love him thr same way back. My grief will never out weigh or be stronger than the love we shared. It's eternal and can never die.
Thank you for your kind words back. I'm also grateful for meeting you and sharing a connection o don't think either of us expected. But I'm ecstatic to be the giver & recipient of our new beginning of a friendship and understanding I imagine could be a very long lasting one.
I look forward to developing that.
I am happy to share my grandkids journeys with you and anyone Interested in those amazing creatures, appropriately of course.
There are so many children needing or wanting to be spoiled, that is not an understatement at all. It's a beautiful and selfless gesture, its heartwarming.
Thank you for following me as well. I'm working on building my Stack Account this week/weekend. Please keep your eyes peeled. I would love to hear any kind of feedback you have for a newcomer like me.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I look forward to touching base with you soon.
Thank you, Roselle. I'm going to be investigating the concept of widowhood, and the nature of the words and phrases we use to describe what happens after a spouse dies. It's a rich area to study, as a person who pays attention to words and to their social and cultural meanings. I could write a book. Maybe I am, here on Substack.❤️
Keep looking for signs, Mary. It’s your gift. I see hope too. I know the train has finally connected with her rails. It’s a beautiful night. And tomorrow is a beautiful day. Sleep well my friend. And when the morning sun greets you, know we are both looking at it together.
Beautiful, Mary. Despite the painful subject, your words retain their elegance. Something is working. I'm calmed by your writing, as I also wish for you.
As I spoke to the arborist and he put my mind at ease, I looked up to see a bald eagle soaring above. What did it mean? I’ve seen bald eagles before. Each time, they carried a message. This time, it was one of great hope.
Lovely as always! Thanks for the history lesson about widow weeds...I never knew that. I’m glad you’re staying in your home. A place of love and growing together that forever unites you (and your children) to your husband. May things work out smoothly as you decide on the tree...sounds like a keeper to me!
Oh, thank you, Joan! I can’t remember where I first came across the phrase but it struck me. For some reason I’m thinking it may have been Joni Mitchell.
Good news! The arborist came this morning and said that the tree is in good shape. The crews that worked on it the two times we hired them did a great job. He said not to worry about it for three years or so. What a relief. Now I just need to find someone honest to do the gutters . . .
Hello Mary,
**This may be a bit longer than usual but I PROMISE there is a point I hope you find a great as I have.
-------–----------------------------
I have to admit I found your writing by accident. But after reading a few of your stories, it's just another checkmark for the Universe at work. Always putting the right people in each other's paths at exactly the right time and taking the wrong ones out before the forever hurt sets in. You are one of the right ones.
My laptop was acting up about half hour ago and I'm not technically inclined more than I have to be. My youngest son (19) was asleep so I was frustrated I couldn't finish writing my piece I've been working on for days. I was frustrated and went to Kitchen and my son woke up for a drink. I told him what was wrong and told him after he woke up would be fine to look at it. He said well Mom this is after I'm up, I will come look at it. While I'm waiting I got a notice of new stories on Stack. I don't always read them as often as I like because I am a writer for Medium and it's hard to dedicate equal time. But since I had the time and using my phone I opened the app.
I first noticed your last name is spelled similar to my first, and your first name is my mom's name. I thought how ironic and I smiled.
I then noticed your Bio and some stories you published on Stack.
I recognized myself in those titles.
I have similar ones on Medium.
I am also a (cringe as I say it) Widow. Yesterday was 23 months since I lost my husband Anthony to Head & Neck Cancer and metastasized to his right side neck Lymph Nodes. He was 56 yrs old. We were married for 30 years but together 39 years the year he passed away (in my arms) February 12 2022.
We have one of those stories. Some which are on Medium, some not written yet. We met when I was just 13, he was 17. He was my first boyfriend, my only boyfriend. My first and forever love. We weren't perfect but we were perfect for each other. The only boy then man I ever knew in everyday. We have 6 adult children (ages 36 yrs down to 19 yrs), 5 of them spoken for and we have 11 grandchildren ages 15 yrs down to 17 mos. We has a rare but real and true unconditional love that continues in my heart today. It will forever.
I see that rare love in your writing as well and I just had to connect with you. Not every one gets it when you lose a spouse but when the soul is also bonded together its so much more than that and it's even harder for anyone to understand unless they have been there. I wouldn't wish this pain on the cruelest person on earth.
I'm sorry for such a long comment but I needed to reach out to you. I'm sorry for the loss of your husband. I admire your courage too. I'm just starting out as a Writer. I left my 40 year Professional Chef career after I lost Anthony. The passion is gone. Writing was always a passion but a hobby. I only hope I can write half as beautifully as you do and keep my husband's memory alive while honoring the Love and Soul connection we shared with each other.
I look forward to following you. I will upgrade my free subscription in a week or so when I am able to afford to do so.
It's been a pleasure meeting you. Thank you for listening. Take care.
Best Regards,
Robyne Sautner
P.S-
If your interested in anything I wrote:
My Medium.com ID is:
@chefrobyne or you can email (chefrobyne@gmail.com)
But please know, I am not here to self promote. Only, just to connect on a level most aren't able to understand, and hopefully never will.
So I do understand if it's not possible.
Oh, Robyne. I don’t know where to start.
I’m so honored by your kind words, and your choice to become a paid subscriber. And deeply sorry for the loss of your soulmate. It’s a level of sorrow that we both understand. You are so fortunate to have him always in your heart, but he’s gone from your side.
It is a blessing, at this time in my life, to be able to devote time to writing. I was separated from my true calling for many years and many reasons. I’m excited for your pursuit of your dream. It’s completely worth it. Just think how your husband is smiling to see you hard at work into the early hours of the morning. A gift to both of you.
How fortunate you are to have such a beautiful family. I don’t have grandchildren. But there are lot of kids out there who are in need of some spoiling!
I’m so happy we’ve found each other on Substack. I will definitely follow your work. Thank you for the links.
And again, I’m overwhelmed. Your support means so much to me.
Thank you for sharing your story, and for writing your stories. I agree, there are some connections that can’t be explained away.
Mary❤️
Mary
Thank you Mary. Even in all my sorrow and emptiness I am grateful for being loved the way I was loved my Anthony. Also so much more grateful for the blessing of being able to Love him thr same way back. My grief will never out weigh or be stronger than the love we shared. It's eternal and can never die.
Thank you for your kind words back. I'm also grateful for meeting you and sharing a connection o don't think either of us expected. But I'm ecstatic to be the giver & recipient of our new beginning of a friendship and understanding I imagine could be a very long lasting one.
I look forward to developing that.
I am happy to share my grandkids journeys with you and anyone Interested in those amazing creatures, appropriately of course.
There are so many children needing or wanting to be spoiled, that is not an understatement at all. It's a beautiful and selfless gesture, its heartwarming.
Thank you for following me as well. I'm working on building my Stack Account this week/weekend. Please keep your eyes peeled. I would love to hear any kind of feedback you have for a newcomer like me.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I look forward to touching base with you soon.
Mt Best,
Robyne
This sounds a bit heartbreaking. I'm sorry. What courage to have written it, and so subtly.
Thank you, Roselle. I'm going to be investigating the concept of widowhood, and the nature of the words and phrases we use to describe what happens after a spouse dies. It's a rich area to study, as a person who pays attention to words and to their social and cultural meanings. I could write a book. Maybe I am, here on Substack.❤️
Keep looking for signs, Mary. It’s your gift. I see hope too. I know the train has finally connected with her rails. It’s a beautiful night. And tomorrow is a beautiful day. Sleep well my friend. And when the morning sun greets you, know we are both looking at it together.
Beautiful, Mary. Despite the painful subject, your words retain their elegance. Something is working. I'm calmed by your writing, as I also wish for you.
As I spoke to the arborist and he put my mind at ease, I looked up to see a bald eagle soaring above. What did it mean? I’ve seen bald eagles before. Each time, they carried a message. This time, it was one of great hope.