Farrah Fawcett - 1947 - 2009

Michael Jackson - 1958-2009

Carpe Diem

It's a new day. On my long list of things to do, today, I will get some writing done. I will read a chapter, perhaps two or three chapters, in "Nine." After that? Well, time's a wasting. Got books to write.

What about you?

What are your plans?

What are you waiting for?


Answer to yesterday's quiz:

Drum roll, please.

1948

Have a joy-filled day, Everyone. And just remember,

We're not alone.

:)L

Happy Birthday to ME!

''We don't stop playing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop playing!''

George Bernard Shaw


Tuesday was my birthday. I turned age *hand over mouth*. Whaddya know about that.

It is five years since I buried my beloved husband, Edward Louis Sclier. Like the 1960's Virginia Slim's ad reads, "You've come a long way, Baby!"

Indeed, I have.

The grief road is not an easy road to travel and a lot has happened to me these past years. I'm stronger, wiser, perhaps a bit prettier *wink-wink*.

August 2004, my only son got engaged.

October 2005, he got married.

October 2008, he and his darling wife presented me with a new baby grandson.

Words cannot adequately express the pride I feel each time I look into that little guy's bright blue eyes. How I wish Ed was here to hold him and to share in this joy. What I would give for a picture of that, as I wish for a picture of Ed choosing an engagement ring and dancing at our son's wedding.

Yes, I miss Ed. A heap.

Yes, I always will.

No question, there is a pronounced place forever in my mended heart especially for Ed.

I treasure the life we shared, the love we still share, and I am grateful for the memories.

But...

It is important to note that I have moved forward in my new my life.

I love my son and enjoy sincerely the relationship we have. I treasure his daily breath. I love his wife and I am most proud of his choice in a mother for my new grand baby.

I am delighted to be a part of this family.

If you are experiencing the loss of a loved one and perhaps reading this write, it is my sincere desire that my words will give you hope and encouragement to keep on keeping on, one baby step at a time, with the rest of your life. If I can do it, so can you.

My message is and continues to be...

We're not alone.

Here's wishing you and yours what I lovingly refer to as mourning joy all the days of your lives.


Linda Della Donna


Oh yeah, and back to the subject of my birthday. Here, for your reading pleasure, is a list of things that went on the year I was born. What a hoot!

Can you guess the year?
*the answer tomorrow*

The Year I was born

Top Tunes

Twelfth Street Rag
Manana
I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover
It's a Most Unusual Day
So In Love
It's Magic


Top Movies

Hamlet
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Johnny Belinda
The Three Musketeers


Best Actor & Actress
Laurence Olivier & Jane Wyman


Then and Now

New Ford
Then $1,150
Now $20,900

Milk (1 gal.)
Then $0.88
Now $3.99

1st Class Stamp
Then $0.03
Now $0.42

Bread (1 lb.)
Then $0.14
Now $3.19

New Home
Then $7,700
Now $218,400

Population (mil.)
Then 146.6
Now 306.8


Still stumped?


What was going on back then:

West Coast was rapidly gaining population

Organization of American States created

One million U. S. homes had TV sets

Soviets blockaded West Berlin

U. S. planes dropped food

Babe Ruth gave final farewell at Yankee Stadium

Babe Ruth died

Eastern Europe fell under Soviet sphere

Eisenhower retired from active duty in the U. S. Army

Bob Mathias won the decathlon at the first summer Olympics since 1936

Railroads shifted from coal-fired steam locomotives to diesel-electric

Franklin 50-cent piece issued, replacing Liberty Walking coin



The answer tomorrow.

Mourning Joy - Just Monkeying Around

What kind of tool do you need to fix a broken ape?

A monkey wrench!






What did the gorilla say when his sister had a baby?

I'll be a monkey's uncle!





What did the gorilla say when it dialed the wrong number?

"King Kong ring wrong!"








Have a joy-filled day, Everyone. And just remember, we're not alone.





You have permission to contact Griefcase at Griefcasenet@gmail.com to request Linda Della Donna's free ebook, "Treasury of Quotations" and to join a private group where members are invited to share stories, memories, resources, and lend support.

Griefcase Gets Letters - Here's one From Vicky of Madrid, Spain

"Let's dare to be ourselves, for we do that better than anyone else can." --Shirley Briggs

Dear Widows,

The following is a copy of a letter I received recently from a widow in Madrid, Spain. Her name is Vicky.

Vicky first wrote to me when she was newly widowed. That was more than one and 1/2 years ago. Vicky's journey is one of courage, strength, determination and hope and I am honored and proud to know her.

I share Vicky's words with Griefcase readers today in the hope that every woman out there going through the grief process will find inspiration and motivation to keep on keeping on, even under the worst of circumstances and to always remember, we're not alone.

I am proud and honored to share Vicky's words with you. Here they are:

(And a special note to Vicky: Thank you for your courage, your kindness, and your friendship. You're doing it! I am so proud of you.)



Hello everyone,

I've been thinking about writing for some time now but never know quite how to begin, or what to say. I'm totally new to this...

I first spoke to Linda about 18 months ago, I came across her articles by chance and contacted her out of utter desperation. Her words were soothing, she told me that it was going to be hard, but that everything would be ok. It was exactly what I needed to hear...

My close family and friends would also tell me everything was going to be ok, that time heals, that I'm young, that I have a long life ahead of me, but coming from them who hadn't gone through the same thing didn't really comfort me. I always knew the theory about how time heals, but felt scared and negative, theory at times like that doesn't help.

I thank Linda for caring, for sharing her experience, and for bringing widows together...

She's inspiring and obviously a very good person for wanting to help others in similar situations. I for one admit that I mightn't make such an effort to
reach out and help others, although one would always like to, days seem to creep by and nothing gets done, so thank you Linda for taking the time in helping others.

About me...

I'm spanish, from Madrid. I lost my husband in Sept 2006. We were driving back to Madrid from our holiday home at the coast, my husband was driving and also in the car was my 3 and a half yr old son and myself. The tire burst and we went off the road, my husband died within half an hour (whilst still in the car). My son survived and so did I (although I severely damaged my legs). Thank goodness my son turned out ok, he injured his head but has fully recovered. My husband and I had been together since we were 14. He was always my best friend, I couldn't imagine life without him, he was 31 when he passed away.

I had to face the loss as well as my recovery, it was all very hard to handle. I couldn't walk for a long time, I felt so trapped in misery, if only I had found this site then. I had to live with my husband's parents as I couldn't move and needed constant care and of course, couldn't look after my son either. I've had 8 operations over the last 2 years. Now I have come a long way, I walk with a cane as my right knee is not good, but have accepted my situation and am determined not to let my injuries get in the way of my life.

The only thing in life that has no remedy is death, I feel lucky to have survived and even luckier for having my son, who is the living image of his father.

The grief process as you all know is difficult and has many stages, just when you think you're feeling better it comes back at you like a ton of bricks. This is going to sound strange but it took me a long time to forgive my husband for dying, for leaving us. He was supposed to look after us always. A deep part of me felt it was thoughtless of him for leaving us, why didn't he fight like I did? I was even jealous of the fact that he had gone and I was left to fight against life, against my injuries... I was the one left to explain to our son that he wouldn't be coming back, I had to do everything on my own and felt I couldn't cope. All this sounds ridiculous now, but its how I felt, I couldn't stop asking him why. I was living in his parents' house and suffered their mourning too, it was so unfair! Life was so unfair!

Woops, just realized I've written a novel, sorry, told you I wasn't used to this, lucky I didn't know what to write! Got a bit carried away.

Just so you know, I feel a lot better now. I know I will always miss my husband, he was the man of my life. I'm so glad I met him, so glad I married him, so grateful that I've experienced love so deep, so much happiness. I feel blessed.

Thanks for listening.

Vicky

Happiness is Hunter

photo.jpg - Gmail

Letter From Taryn Siimpson Re Jason Walker

Hello All,

Most or all of you may know that I wrote Jason Walker's memoirs for him back in 2006. He and I had a great time collaborating and the end result was an incredible book about his life, values and strength. To jog your memory, Jason is a quadraplegic and the oldest living survivor (early 30's) of Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy.

It is with a very heavy heart that I announce that Jason passed away March 16 at 9:30pm in Thomasville, GA.
His mother, Linda, asked that I let everyone know as I'm sure she has her hands full right now. Here are additional details:

The viewing is Wed. 6 - 8pm.

Funeral Thurs. 2pm at Eastside Baptist Church.

Funeral Home Allen & Allen in Thomasville, Ga. (They have an online register)

Jason once told me that when notified of his passing, don't be sad. 'Cause I finally won't be missing my body.


TARYN SIMPSON - GHOSTWRITER
ONE STOP SHOPPING
Writing, Blogging, Trailers, Academic etc.
www.Simpson-EPublishing.com
www.Taryn-Simpson.blogspot.com
www.FullCircle-AdminServices.blogspot.com

Interested readers may learn more about Jason by following this link:
http://www.wctv.tv/news/headlines/41387827.html

Mourning Joy

What do cows read daily?

The moos-paper







Are you a member of the club nobody wants to join?

Drop me at griefcasenet@gmail.com to receive a copy of my free e-book, "Treasury of Quotations."

Mourning Joy

What did people read 1 million years ago?

The Prehistoric Times!

Mourning Joy

What is black and white and "red" all over?

The newespaper!