I again have the honor of being featured on Sally Cronin’s Smorgasbord Blog Magazine. During the last few months, Sally has selected previously featured writer, bloggers and authors’ post from their archives. Over the next four weeks, Sally is featuring some of my previous post she has selected as worthwhile.
Even when we have never met, Sally has become a friend and a supporter of my writing. Even when over the last few months I havn’t been active with my blogging and writing, Sally continued her caring support. I again feel a debt of gratitude for her caring friendship. HUGS Sally.
It is approaching five months since my husband Anthony died, and I have gone through several phases or steps in the grief process. My rationale tells me there’s much more to go. With each grief stage, it’s a discovery of my strengths but also my vulnerabilities. Somedays, while in the bedroom, I look at his picture and converse with him. While other days his eyes look straight into my soul and making it impossible to stay in the room.
In the past, what has been difficult to the point of evading, is now an objective I seek. When with a friend in conversation or something happens to sparks a memory of Anthony, it’s now an enthusiastic response to share those moments. It doesn’t bring a tear, but it’s a giggle or a burst of hearty laughter. When previously alone at night I watched something mindless on TV as a means of avoidance. Now I like to fill those quiet moments thinking back of those beautiful memories we made together.
One pleasure I receive by blogging and following other writer’s blogs is you often read a post that is so memorable you have to share it. I read one this morning and it’s a must to reblog.
Andrew Joyce is the writer and blogger of this post. Andrew is someone I have been following and admiring his talent as a writer. He also has a colorful personality and a down to earth opinion on life itself. I’m not judgemental, but this post went beyond anything I had previously read of Andrew’s writing. It only deepens my admiration for his talents as a writer.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Follow the link below to his blog site and this post.
Sally Cronin Cafe and Bookstore – Promoting My Writing
Sally Cronin is always promoting writers and bloggers. I can’t count the number of times she has promoted me. I always feel honored that she includes me with talented and professional writers. My book One Month, Twenty Days, and a Wake Upwas my first attempt at self-publishing. I will admit it is poorly written and never professionally edited. Someday I plan on rewriting this book and have it properly edited. The story is my attempt to share my experiences serving proudly in the military.
One the bloggers I follow is doing a series on “How to…” This weeks post is encouraging WordPress user to use Gutenberg editor system. Take you thumb out of your mouth and give it a try. It is way more powerful and once you start using it regularily it is easier than the classic editor WordPress used before.
Follow the link to Hugh Roberts post and then give Gutenberg a try.
It’s now five weeks since I lost my husband, Anthony. He was the love of my life and the center of my world. For me, the world stopped that day, yet life all around me continued. I couldn’t understand why; didn’t the world see my pain?
With help from friends and especially individuals at our church, I am looking at our changing world knowing I need to join it. I love the expression, God doesn’t put something in your life if He doesn’t think you are strong enough to get through it. If he brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
I fill my days with the many personal details one must do when you lose a spouse. It keeps me distracted, and I don’t dwell on the loss. Yet it is at night when all is quiet the pain is at its worse. It is those times I turn to prayer and God gives me the strength to cope.
For those that follow me on social media, you have seen my announcement. Those who follow me here, it is with a broken heart that I share with you the loss of my husband, my soul mate, and the love of my life. Anthony and I had been together for over thirty-five years. We had become so conjoined in our lives it was difficult to see where mine ended, and he began. Now I search for my own identity with the dependent part missing.
Anthony was the type person we all have met at one time in our life. Everywhere we went, when he entered, the room lite up with smiles, fun, and laughter. He was the entertainer and the central focus where ever he went. Not in a selfish way, but he felt it was his role to bring happiness. When we attended church, it took ten minutes for him to make it to our pew. He stopped, greeted everyone, and gave his hugs. He would say, “Many of our congregation members live alone, and the only hug they receive is the hugs they got when they came to church. I’m going to make sure everyone gets their hug.”
Anthony was an organist at a professional level. His forte was Theater Organ although he also played at our church. In our home is a large theater organ and I had the joy of listening to him play daily. He played with passion and emotion and made his music resonate throughout our home. Anthony was at his happiest when he played his show tunes.
My life was so enriched from the day I met him. Life does move on, but at this time I don’t understand how. I take each hour and each day attempting to absorb and accept my loss. What does bring me comfort are the stories my friends share how he brought happiness into their lives. God blessed me with a man who was full of love, and he unselfishly gave it to all he met.
My weekly post on sharing my book will take a sabbatical. I will pop in periodically to view and make comments. I thank you for your support, and I ask for your prayers.
If you like murder mysteries, and who doesn’t, then you need to read Mae Clair’s new release End of Day, Hoed’s Hill Series.This book is Mae’s second in these mystery tales. Follow the link below to read details about both books. From the Pen of Mae Clair
“If [J. D.] Vance’s memoir offered street-heroin-grade drama, [Tara] Westover’s is carfentanil, the stuff that tranquilizes elephants. The extremity of Westover’s upbringing emerges gradually through her telling, which only makes the telling more alluring and harrowing. . . . By the end, Westover has somehow managed not only to capture her unsurpassable exceptional upbringing, but to make her current situation seem not so exceptional at all, and resonant for many others.”—The New York Times Book Review
When a book makes the New York Times Best Seller, I take notice. I don’t have the opportunity to read all best sellers, but they are on my ‘to be read list.’ If you are an author or blogger, you know reading is one of the best ways to enhance your writing. Experts tell us to read books within our genre. I’ve read and reviewed several memoirs and Educated ranks high on my list.
One of my previous guest writers has been my good friend for years, Bernadette Inclan. She is one of the individuals who encouraged me to write my memoirs. I have shared several of her pieces, but the latest was back in October of this year entitled “That Particular Night”.
I posted her Christmas short story last year, and it gives me pleasure to share it with you again. It took me back to my childhood sharing the mystery, and the true meaning of Christmas.
