A very lovely person. I'm going to see her this afternoon. Life is full of opportunities. When I say no to things, there's a good possibility I might close the door on something marvelous. xo
Thank you Nan for seeing and truly “getting” my beloved sister Joyce. You write beautifully. I feel you’ve brought Joyce to life for many who will never meet her. Many thanks.
Oh, Victor, thank you. It was my intention to also provide this story to the people you do know her and do love her. I'm so glad you liked it. Hope to see you soon and say hi.
Wow. Thank you, Chris. What a wonderful thing to hear from you. It was one of those essays that just poured out of me. Sending love and gratitude to you, my dear friend. xo
Thanks, Ann. She's not reading anymore. I read it to her the other day, and maybe Mike played it for her, too. She's a special human. I wrote this for her, but I think on some level, I was writing it for all the people in her world who love her, and will miss her when she leaves. xo
I'm glad it holds meaning for you, I figured it might. Joyce is beautiful and so well taken care of by so many. You know what I mean. And thank you so much for becoming a subscriber. I hope you'll read more. Thank you for that gift and sending love and appreciation for everything you do. xo
A beautiful eulogy for a memorable woman. There is no fairness in losing those dear to us. She has such a vibrant smile and, clearly, a mind to match. How all who know her must already be grieving the loss.
I hope her writings and your budding friendship will serve to mentor you in some small way in the days ahead. Hugs, Nan.
Thank you, Elizabeth. Your comment is so lovely. A lot of people love her. That’s very clear from the stories I’ve heard. It’s been also nice to get to know Mike. We talk in her room and he loves her so much. He’s been an exemplary caregiver. Very devoted. Hugs back to you. xo
You've left me weeping and grieving for a woman I will never meet and for the mentor you desire, but can never be fully realized. Her writing (and yours) will be a gift to many I'm sure. Thanks for introducing us to Joyce. xo
Oh, sweetie. I love you. Yeah. She's special. I can't imagine how vibrant she was before the diagnosis, but I will imagine it anyway! I hope you consider ordering her book. It really is gorgeous and wonderful example of effective memoir. I haven't forgotten about figuring out a time to catch up. XO
I just tried to restack with a note about why this is special and the place where you type kept getting into a tangle. Never saw this before. I tried three times and then just restacked without the note. But wanted you to know I tried.
Joyce sounds incredible and I'm so glad you were able to spend some time getting to know her even if it wasn't as much as you would have liked. So many people keep their feelings inside, especially when life gets tough. Good on you for writing about Joyce while she is still here, even if she's only able to listen to you in her sleep. What a gift you've made for her, for Mike, and for us....your words will keep her alive in the hearts of many ❤️
What a lovely essay about your dear friend. You mentioned you met her too late, and I know what you meant, but maybe you met her at just the right time. Your heart was open to and ready for this particular friendship at this particular time.
I love this: "Here’s the not-so-magical thinking: we are connected at the level of our hearts. I often think of her as I write. I remember the rhythm of her sentences, her lyrical command of language, her deep emotional insights, the brilliant metaphors that bring her readers close. Our heart connection? I’ll carry that with me, always."
Such beautiful words that reflect the impact of Joyce on your heart, and therefore, on your writing, too. Now her impact reaches us, your readers, too. Thank you for sharing Joyce with us.
Oh, Nancy. Yes, you're correct, I did meet her at just the right time. I guess what I'm trying to say that I just want more, and have to be okay with what I have. It's a connection. One I'll cherish, always. xo
Beautiful, beautiful, BEAUTIFUL! It is such a gift to be with people who touch our hearts so deeply. It's interesting that you met on Rosh Hashanah, which gave you the opportunity to start the new year with a beautiful new friend. It's so wonderful that you wrote this living eulogy. Thank you for sharing Joyce with us!
Thank you for reading, Cathy! Yes, the bookends of the two holidays make it more sacred for me, in a way. I would have liked to share a meal with her, one more time. Who knows? It could happen. xo
Touching tribute to a lovely person and to a heartfelt relationship - all because you took a risk and tried something new. Powerful lesson here.
A very lovely person. I'm going to see her this afternoon. Life is full of opportunities. When I say no to things, there's a good possibility I might close the door on something marvelous. xo
Beautiful tribute. I'm sure it will help her loved ones celebrate her. Hope it also helps you.
Thanks, Leslie. That was my motivation for writing about her, for sure. And it does help, immensely. xo
Thank you Nan for seeing and truly “getting” my beloved sister Joyce. You write beautifully. I feel you’ve brought Joyce to life for many who will never meet her. Many thanks.
Oh, Victor, thank you. It was my intention to also provide this story to the people you do know her and do love her. I'm so glad you liked it. Hope to see you soon and say hi.
I think this is my favorite piece of yours yet, Nan. Simply beautiful.
Wow. Thank you, Chris. What a wonderful thing to hear from you. It was one of those essays that just poured out of me. Sending love and gratitude to you, my dear friend. xo
This is really special, Nan. Thank you for sharing Joyce with us. She sounds beautiful. I hope she is able to read or hear what you wrote. Xx
Thanks, Ann. She's not reading anymore. I read it to her the other day, and maybe Mike played it for her, too. She's a special human. I wrote this for her, but I think on some level, I was writing it for all the people in her world who love her, and will miss her when she leaves. xo
Nan, this is beautiful and made me cry. You have perfectly captured so many things here. Thank you for this gift….
I'm glad it holds meaning for you, I figured it might. Joyce is beautiful and so well taken care of by so many. You know what I mean. And thank you so much for becoming a subscriber. I hope you'll read more. Thank you for that gift and sending love and appreciation for everything you do. xo
Thank you for sharing this touching tribute with us.
Thank you for reading, Sally. xo
A beautiful eulogy for a memorable woman. There is no fairness in losing those dear to us. She has such a vibrant smile and, clearly, a mind to match. How all who know her must already be grieving the loss.
I hope her writings and your budding friendship will serve to mentor you in some small way in the days ahead. Hugs, Nan.
Thank you, Elizabeth. Your comment is so lovely. A lot of people love her. That’s very clear from the stories I’ve heard. It’s been also nice to get to know Mike. We talk in her room and he loves her so much. He’s been an exemplary caregiver. Very devoted. Hugs back to you. xo
Bless him.
Yes. He’s very sweet.
A lovely rremembrance of you pouring out your heart to this lovely woman as she neared death. We can never do that enough, Nan, until the day we die.
I agree, Marilea. It's the most important thing people can say to each other. "I love you." Right? xo
I love this one Nan. It says so much about you, the amazing person you are, as much as it says about Joyce.
That's so kind, Nancy. Thank you. xo
I don't do kind. It's true.
You might not do kind, but you are kind! I know. And thank you, lovely friend. xo
Back atcha. xo
You've left me weeping and grieving for a woman I will never meet and for the mentor you desire, but can never be fully realized. Her writing (and yours) will be a gift to many I'm sure. Thanks for introducing us to Joyce. xo
Oh, sweetie. I love you. Yeah. She's special. I can't imagine how vibrant she was before the diagnosis, but I will imagine it anyway! I hope you consider ordering her book. It really is gorgeous and wonderful example of effective memoir. I haven't forgotten about figuring out a time to catch up. XO
It’ll happen when meant to. Xo
YES! xo
What a beautiful piece, Nan. I am so very sorry about your friend. xx
Thank you, Christina.
I just tried to restack with a note about why this is special and the place where you type kept getting into a tangle. Never saw this before. I tried three times and then just restacked without the note. But wanted you to know I tried.
Thanks for letting me know, Ann! xo
Joyce sounds incredible and I'm so glad you were able to spend some time getting to know her even if it wasn't as much as you would have liked. So many people keep their feelings inside, especially when life gets tough. Good on you for writing about Joyce while she is still here, even if she's only able to listen to you in her sleep. What a gift you've made for her, for Mike, and for us....your words will keep her alive in the hearts of many ❤️
Thanks, Eileen. She's a wonderful person. I wish there was more time to get to know her. xo
Hi Nan,
What a lovely essay about your dear friend. You mentioned you met her too late, and I know what you meant, but maybe you met her at just the right time. Your heart was open to and ready for this particular friendship at this particular time.
I love this: "Here’s the not-so-magical thinking: we are connected at the level of our hearts. I often think of her as I write. I remember the rhythm of her sentences, her lyrical command of language, her deep emotional insights, the brilliant metaphors that bring her readers close. Our heart connection? I’ll carry that with me, always."
Such beautiful words that reflect the impact of Joyce on your heart, and therefore, on your writing, too. Now her impact reaches us, your readers, too. Thank you for sharing Joyce with us.
Oh, Nancy. Yes, you're correct, I did meet her at just the right time. I guess what I'm trying to say that I just want more, and have to be okay with what I have. It's a connection. One I'll cherish, always. xo
Beautiful, beautiful, BEAUTIFUL! It is such a gift to be with people who touch our hearts so deeply. It's interesting that you met on Rosh Hashanah, which gave you the opportunity to start the new year with a beautiful new friend. It's so wonderful that you wrote this living eulogy. Thank you for sharing Joyce with us!
Thank you for reading, Cathy! Yes, the bookends of the two holidays make it more sacred for me, in a way. I would have liked to share a meal with her, one more time. Who knows? It could happen. xo