Lisa Beamer (Mrs. Todd Beamer)

"We had a Norman Rockwell type of upbringing," Beamer writes. "Rather than spending evenings plopped in front of a television set, many nights our family would play games or read books together. . . . When we did watch television, our favorite show was Little House on the Prairie." --Bill Duryea, St. Petersburg Times

Good mourning, Widows. Joy to you and me.

Today we honor famous member of the club nobody wants to joy-n, famous 911 widow, Lisa Beamer, wife of famous 9/11 doomed United Airlines flight passenger, Todd Beamer.

Everyone remembers Todd's heroism, his last words spoken to a 911 operator, "Lets Roll" and the stunning young widow left.

Since the death of her husband, Lisa has penned her memoir, "Let's Roll" has appeared numerous times in the media, and given birth to their daughter.

Mourning Joy:

Q: What's red, round, and cheeky?

A: Tomato sauce

Mourning Quote:

And the day came when the risk [it took] to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. --Anais Nin

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen. Open your joy-nal. Set the timer for ten.

The topic is: Choosing to blossom...

Go ahead. Write something.

I dare you.

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

:)L

Inell Benn (Almost Mrs. Marquise Hill)

"Right now's a terrible time. I don't know what to feel right now." --Inell Benn, Hill's Fiancee'

Good Mourning, Widows.

Joy to you and me.

Welcome, almost Mrs. Marquise Hill, Inell Benn, famous fiancee' of famous New England Patriots Player, Marquise Hill, to the club nobody wants to joy-n.

Marquise Hill died in a jet ski accident on a lake in Louisiana. It was May 28, 2007, and Hill was 24 years young.

Said Patriots coach, Bill Belichick in a written statement, "Marquise will be remembered as a thoughtful and caring young man who established himself as one of the year-round daily fixtures of our team."

To Hill's fiancee', Inell Benn, and to his friends, including Patriots teammate Randall Gay, who waited anxiously along the shoreline as the search for Marquise's body continued throughout the day, and to his family, we wish you mourning joy all the days of your lives.

Mourning Joy:

Q: What's yellow and succeeds?

A: A toothless canary

Mourning Quote:

From the poem, "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" by Jimmie Cox:

Nobody knows you
When you're down and out
In your pocket, not one penny
And your friends, you haven't any
But as soon as you get on your feet again
Ev'rybody wants to be your long lost friend
It's mighty strange, without a doubt
Nobody knows you when you're down and out

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen. Open your joy-nal. Set the timer for ten.

The topic is: Who do you know?

Go ahead. Write something.

I dare you.

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

:)L

A Wednesday - In Search of X

Good Mourning, Widows. Joy to you and me.

It's a bright sun shiney day here 20 miles north from where the World Trade Center use to be. Weatherman promises mid 80s. What a treat!

It is 3 years, 29 days, 4 hours, 58 minutes since Edward Louis Sclier died, but who's counting? And it is just as many days as I began my new life without Him by my side, in search of "x."

Every day is a challenge.

Every day is different.

Today I am called to Jury Duty. Izzy goes to doggy day care, Tux is left to guard the house.

A new adventure, a new "x."

What is your new adventure this bright morning? What is different for you, today? Where is your "x?"

Fingerhug your pen. Open your joy-nal. Set the timer for ten.

Write something.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

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

:)L

Stella Morris (Mrs. David "Bud" Morris, Jr.)

"They gave tearful testimony before a House committee, with pictures of their lost loved ones positioned prominently on the witness table. They recounted their stories of personal travail to reporters who inquired. " --http://www.courier-journal.com

Good Mourning Widows.

Joy to you and me.

Welcome famous widow, Stella Morris, wife of famous miner, David "Bud" Morris, Jr.

David bled to death when his legs were cut off in a mine accident December 30, 2005, after an overloaded coal hauler hit him just below the knees.

He was 29 years old.

After the death of her husband, Stella joined other mine widows killed on the job and testified before the House panel in Washington, D. C. about mine safety.

Stella has their son, Landon, to see her through her mourning joy. Landon was 3 months old when his father died.

Mourning Joy:

Q: What's black and white, black and white, black and white, black and white?

A: A nun falling downstairs.

Mourning Quote:

"How do I love thee. Let me count the ways." --Anonymous

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen. Open your joy-nal. Set the timer for ten.

The topic is: I love you because...

Write something.

Go ahead. I dare you.

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

:)L

A Tuesday

"Some days are like this."--Google

Good Mourning, Widows. *and others, because I know we get visitors from time to time ;)*

Joy to you and me.

Ever have a day where no matter what you seem to do seems to turn out not right?

Yesterday I planned to garden--dig dirt, plant petunias, daisies, marigolds--but the soil was hard and after awhile it felt like I was digging concrete. Nevermind the rocks I hit everytime I planted my spade *will somebody out there please tell me why God created rocks?* Anyhow, as the temperature climbed, and my shovel made those teeth-hurting scrape-scrape sounds in the earth, I decided to put away my garden tools, temporarily, of course, and go to the beach.

Today is a new day. I awaken rested, refreshed, renewed, and brown as a berry :) ready to tackle that garden task, and my new day in my new life without Him.

How about you.

As Dr. Phil says, "It's okay..."

Have an abundantly joy-filled day, Widows. And remember, we're not alone.

:)L

Now, where did I put that shovel...

Memorial Day 2007

God Bless
Sharon Bryant

I remember the stories
That I used to hear
Of far away lands
Where there was fear

I recall the photos
Kept in a box
That I found one day
I was so shocked

Questions asked
By a child
Unanswered by those
"I'll tell you in a while"

My own life later
Married to a man
Who served this country
More stories began

The hardships on the home front
Living in fear
Afraid of a telegram
"We have bad news, my dear"

I think that so many
Do not truly realize
The meaning of Memorial Day
And what was sacrificed

We gather with family
On this day
A day off from work
All fun and play

I think about those
Who gave their all
Who never came home
For many did fall

Tomorrow for a moment
Take a moment and pray
For all our veterans
And those serving today

God Bless each and everyone of you that have served your country.
God Bless all of our troops serving now

Sharon Bryant
1946@bellsouth.net
"Operation We Care"
http://www.dk-ink.com/operation_we_care.htm

Brittney Murray (girlfriend of Army Spc. Justin Rollins)

"He really did believe in what he was fighting for." --Rhonda Rollins, mother

Welcome *who says you need a band of gold to mourn a soulmate?*, Brittney Murray, famous girlfriend of famous US Army Spc. Justin Rollins, to the club that nobody wants to become a member of. Ever.


Army Spc. Rollins was a member of the 82nd Airborne and was killed March 5, 2007 in Iraq in the village of Samarra.

Rollins is shown here holding "Hero," a puppy he found the night before he died.

"After Murray saw the photos, she sought help finding the short-haired dog, named Hero as a reminder of the man who planned to propose to her on his next visit home."

"It was the last bit of happiness Justin had," said Brittney Murray.

"Hero arrived Thursday night at Kennedy International Airport in New York and arrived in New Hampshire overnight."

"Rollins was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with a baseball signed by Red Sox player David Ortiz, who met him last summer shortly before Rollins's unit was deployed."

To Brittney, to Hero, to the entire Rollins family, we wish you mourning joy all the days of your lives.

Mourning Joy:

Q: What's black and white and goes up and down twenty times a day?

A: A nun doing push-ups

Mourning Quote:

"The tradition holds that love and compassion are the source of happiness." --The Venerable Tenzin Yignyen,m Buddhist monk

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen. Open your joy-nal. Set the timer for ten.

The topic is: My source of happiness is...

Write something.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

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

:)L

Hello Friends...

"'You gotta have friends..." --Bette Midler

Good Mourning, Widows. Joy to you and me.

Yesterday I zipped off a fast blog note thanking my new friends for helping me when I needed help most, which is most every single solitary day. These are people I've met along my yellow brick road of grief, people I've never met personally, as in I see you, you see me, but real honest to goodness individuals who chat with me daily on the internet and take time from their busy schedule to share. And anyway, I *oops* forgot yesterday to mention Sondra Kornblatt, a writer friend I met after the death of Edward, my husband. Sondra zips in everytime I need help, with the correct answer to some dumb question I probably could figure out by myself if I weren't so what I call, "numb and dumb," the ailment that shadows us widows after we bury "Him" for what seems like years.

Anyway, yesterday I was working on cleaning out the 187 emails accumulated in my ebox when I came upon one that required attention and I couldn't figure out how to fix it.

Voila.

Magically Sondra Kornblatt appeared. With the right answer.

Thank you, Sondra. I didn't forget you. I just forgot, temporarily, of course.

It is said that when one door closes, another door opens. I'd like to add an additional line

--And in walks a friend.

In my case, when that dang door of mine closed, in walked a sea of friends. From my heart to yours, hey, Sondra. Thanks for being my friend.

Thanks, Everyone!

:)L

Hello World.

Good Mourning, Widows.

Joy to you and me.

It's a new day 20 miles north from where the World Trade Center use to be. While Izzy curls round as a button at my feet, and his little cat, Tux, pads and purrs outdoors, I sit inside and type.

It is 3 years, 26 days, 9 hours, 37 minutes since Edward Louis Sclier died and just as long since I began my new life without Him at my side.

Looking back on that fateful May 1, 2004, 12:01 a.m. morning, I realize the distance I've traveled on my yellow brick road of grief and recognize the wonderful new friends I've made along the way.

There's a writer friend in Nashville. Her name is Taryn Simpson and yesterday Taryn took time from her busy writing schedule to polish a five page manuscript of mine for my upcoming workshop one week from today.

Thank you, Taryn, wherever you are.

There is Suzanne Lieurance, my writing coach, my writing mentor, who motivates me, inspires me, and reaches out to me in my darkest hours.

I salute Suzanne and bless the day I signed up for her on-line writing course, "Core of Three," 7 years ago. Thank you, Suzanne.

There is Author Extradinaire, Yvonne Perry. Yvonne nurtures my muse.

Thank you, Yvonne.

There are countless email loops,

www.Lieurancegroup.blogspot.com,

www.Jayswritingplace.com,

www.nataliegoldberg.com, to name a few.

And there there are other writers out there, in addition to you, Dear Widow, who look in on me from time to time, and welcome me into their communities. I can't see you, but I know you are there by your comments, your emails, your invisibility cloak of internet connection.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

One evening last week, I won't confess which one, I can't tell which outdoor cafe', I was delighted to be invited to share a glass of Chianti with a member of the opposite sex. He is educated, cultured, handsome, and was the perfect gentleman. I felt special. Maybe because he called me a "...hot babe."

Imagine.

To that nice man, wherever you are, thank you.

The GE repairman just left. My Profile dishwasher was on the list of recalls, and rather than take the $300 mail-in rebate toward the purchase of a new one, I opted to have this one repaired.

Soon as I post this blog entry, I'm off to Ardsley Hardware to pick up the bedroom and living room window screens. Seems Izzy's little cat, Tux, performed a flying Wolinda and clawed a hole you could drive a Miata through. Oh, how I wish that dog and his little cat would get a job and earn their keep.

After that, well, it's some little string bikini tucked away in a drawer, the pink one, a bottle of number 9 suntan lotion slathered all over my body, a stop at the drycleaners to pick up 3 shirts, a fill-up at the Getty, then it's off to my favorite place in the universe. The place I met Ed. Rye Beach.

Yes. I've come a long way baby!

How about you?

Have a great day, Widows. And remember, we're not alone.

:)L

Lena Horne (Mrs. Lennie Hayton)

"Love Me or Leave Me."--song made famous by Lena Horne

Good Mourning, Widows.

Joy to you and me.

Today we welcome famous widow, African American, Singer, Lena Horne, wife of famous premier musical conductor, white Jewish American, Lennie Hayton, to our joy-ous club.

That's right, Widows, the club nobody wants to joy-n.

Lena was born June 30, 1917. She married Lennie Hayton in 1947. He died in 1971.

In an interview with Ebony Magazine in May 1980, Lena confessed she married Hayton to advance her career and to cross the "color line" in show business.

During their marriage, they faced enormous pressure as an inter-racial married couple.

Mourning Joy:

Q: What's a dead man's nose called?

A: The dead scenter

Mourning Quote:

"It's best to stay with friends." --from a business card Best Friends Pet Care

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen.

Open your joy-nal.

Set the timer for ten.

The topic is: What's in my nose

Go ahead.

Write something.

I dare you.

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

:)L

Lynne Pitney (Mrs. Gene Pitney)

"I'm gonna be strong..." --Gene Pitney

Good Mourning, Widows. Joy to you and me.

Today we welcome famous widow, Lynne Pitney, wife of famous Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Gene Pitney, to our joy-ous club, the club that nobody wants to joy-n.

Ever.

Gene Pitney died at age 65 of natural causes.

Mourning Joy:

Q: What do you call the elephant witch doctor?

A: Mumbo Jumbo.

Mourning Quote:

Notice to Guests: If there is anything you need and don't see, please let us know. We will show you how to do without it. --Mary McWilliams Fadden

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen.

Open your joy-nal. Set the timer for ten.

The topic is: What I don't need...

Go ahead.

Write something.

I dare you.

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

:)L

Brooke Astor (Mrs. Vincent Astor)

"He had a dreadful childhood, and as a result, had moments of deep melancholy. But I think I made him happy. That's what I set out to do. I'd literally dance with the dogs, sing and play the piano, and I would make him laugh, something no one had ever done before. Because of his money, Vincent was very suspicious of people. That's what I tried to cure him of." --Brooke Astor

Good mourning, Widows. Joy to you and me.

Today we welcome famous widow, heiress and philantropist, Brooke Astor, wife of famous tycoon, Vincent Astor, to the club that nobody wants to joy-n. Ever.

Brooke Astor was born in March 1902 and married Vincent after the death of her second husband, Charles Marshall.

This darling woman was widowed in 1959. She lives on today, remarkably, and is age 105.

Brooke Astor reinvented herself at age 56 after the death of Vincent, who was ill-tempered as he was rich.

She is responsible for turning the Astor Foundation into one of New York's most influential philantrophies. Think Lighthouse for the Blind, Maternity Center Association, Bronx Zoo, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and many many many more charities.

In 1998, Brooke received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Vincent Astor was the only son of Colonel John Jacob Astor, killed on board the Titanic.

Mourning Joy:

Q: What do you call a Rodent that has a sword?

A: A mouseketeer.

Mourning Quote:

A man's true wealth is the good he does in the world. --Mohammed

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen. Open your joy-nal. Set the timer for ten.

The topic is: My true wealth is...

Write something.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

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

:)L

Catherine Atwater (Mrs. John Kenneth Gailbraith)

"If all else fails, immortality can always be assured by spectacular error." --John Kenneth Gailbraith

Good mourning, Widows. Joy to you and me.

Today we welcome famous widow, Catherine Atwater, wife of famous Ambassador to India, John Kenneth Gailbraith, to our joy-ous club, the club that nobody wants to joy-n. Ever.

Catherine Atwater and John Kenneth Gailbraith were married in 1937. John was 97 years old when he died.

Mourning Joy:

Q: What do you call the bad lion tamer?

A: Claude Bottom

Mourning Quote:

Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants. --Epicurus

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen.

Open your joy-nal.

Set the timer for ten.

The topic is: I want...

Write something.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

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

:)L

Lynne Slepian (Dr. Barnett A. Slepian)

"I heard a popping noise. He looked at me and thought he'd been shot. I rushed over to him. He fell against me and then fell to the floor. I yelled to my oldest son. One of us called 911 and we grabbed some dish towels and we tried to stop the bleeding." --Lynne Slepian

Good Mourning, Widows. Joy to you and me.

Today we welcome famous widow, Lynne Slepian, wife of famous doctor, Dr. Barnett A. Slepian, murdered by an anti-abortion sniper, to our joy-ous club.

It was a Friday evening. Dr. Slepian had just returned from services at synagogue. He was in his kitchen preparing soup when he was shot in the shoulder through a window. He died a few hours later. His killer, James Charles Kopp, fled to France.

Kopp was extradited back to the US, tried, and convicted. At present, Kopp is serving a 25 years to life sentence.

Dr. Slepian was 52 years old.

Lynne was left with 4 sons, ages 7-15 years at the time.

Mourning Joy:

Q: What do you call a man who doesn't sink?

A: Bob.

Mourning Quote:

The moment you move out of the way, you make room for the miracle to take place. --Dr. Barbara King

After we remember Him, open your joy-nal.

The topic is: miracle

Set the timer for ten.

Go ahead. Write something. I dare you.

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

:)L

Happy Birthday, George L. Griffin III

"George is a little monkey, and all monkeys are curious. But no monkey is as curious as George. That is why his name is Curious George." --Margret & H. A. Rey

Good Mourning, Widows. Joy to you and me.

Today, my son, George, is 32 years old. Imagine.

Thirty-two years ago at this time I was delivering the man, as Beyonce sings, "To the left, to the left, to the left" of me.

I am so proud. I am so greatful. I am so filled with mourning joy.

How I wish Edward Louis Sclier were here to see the fine young man, "our" son grew to become.

But who's to say, he isn't.

Mourning Joy:

Q: Why couldn't the skeleton go to the dance?

A: He had nobody to go with!

Mourning Quote:

Give thanks! --Anonymous

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen.

Write something.

Go ahead. I dare you.

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

:)L

Note to George: "Happy Birthday, Son!"

Louisa Frederici (Mrs. William Frederick Cody)

"I noticed my wife felt grieved over the manner in which these people had treated me." --Buffalo Bill

Good Mourning, Widows.

Joy to you and me.

Today we honor and welcome to our joy-ous club, the club nobody wants to join, famous widow, Louisa Frederici, wife of "most famous American in the world," back in 1920, Wild Bill Cody.

Wild Bill Cody was born February 26, 1846 just west of the Mississippi River near LeClaire, Iowa.

Bill married Louisa in 1866.

Louisa Frederici became widowed January 10, 1917. Wild Bill was 70 years old.

By all accounts, Louisa spent most of her marriage alone, as Wild Bill played at Indian Scout and traveled about the country entertaining the public recounting stories about his wild past.

During the course of their marriage, Bill and Lucille had 4 children: Arta Lucille, Kit Carson, Orra Maude, and Irma Louise. Only two survived and had children of their own.

Wild Bill received Medal of Honor 1872. It was revoked 1917. Restored 1989.

Louisa died in 1921 in St. Louis, MO


Mourning Joy:

Q: How do you know when a dog has been naughty?

A: He leaves a little poodle on the carpet.

Mourning Quote:

Experience is a good teacher, but she runs up big bills. --Minna Antrim

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen.

Set the timer for ten.

Read today's mourning quote. Again.

What spirals your brain?

Write it.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

Have a joy-filled day, Widows.

And remember, we're not alone.

:)L

Tonight, tonight, I write the night away...

The sky is gray 20 miles north from where the World Trade Center use to be tonight. There is rain, puddles, and a wet breeze frosts the air.

When the weather turns cold and dark like this, I feel sad remembering my onceuponatime life, when Ed was alive, when there was a strong shoulder to lean on and get me through a dark and lonely time. Now, there's just me, my small dog Izzy, and his little cat, Tux, and of course, you, to see me through.

This rainy night I sit in a secret hiding place. I won't tell you where it is because if I do then it won't be a secret anymore. That's why, silly.

In the past, I shared with other writers my secret hiding places. Before I knew it, these other writers popped out from everywhere, just to say hi. It is nice to have friends, it is nice to say hi, but alas, when you're a writer, and you say hi too often, too often no writing gets done.

I am on deadline for a 5 page manuscript for a Highlight's writing workshop to be held in Pennsylvania at the end of this month. My manuscript is due Monday 9 a.m.

I haven't started it.

Yet.

Being a writer is never having to say the dog ate my homework. So I'll bid everyone a fond adieu and get to work.

Wish me joy luck as I wish joy luck to you.

:)L

Mrs. Edward O'Grady, Mrs. Waverly Brown, Mrs. Peter Paige

"The Brinks robbery of 1981 was an armed robbery in which Kathy Boudin and several members of the Weather Underground and the Black Liberation Army stole over $1 million from a Brinks armored car at the Nanuet Mall, near Nyack, New York on October 20, 1981. The robbers were stopped by police later that day and engaged them in a shootout." --www.wikipedia.com

The Tappan Zee Bridge - 20 miles north from where the World Trade Center used to be.


Good Mourning, Widows.

Joy to you and me.

On October 20, 1981, after a bitter shootout, 2 police officers and a security guard were killed.

This heinous act left 3 women widowed and 9 children without fathers.

On August 20, 2003, the woman, Kathy Boudin, responsible for this crime and in prison serving a 20 year to life sentence, was set free.

Mourning Joy:

Q: What's pink and writes to pigs.

A: A pig's pen pal.

Mourning Quote:

A relationship is placing one's heart and soul in the hands of another while taking charge of another in one's soul and heart. --Kahlil Gibran

After we remember Him, open your journal.

Fingerhug your pen.

Set the timer for ten.

The topic?

What is in my heart/What is not in my heart

Write something.

Go ahead. I dare you.

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

:)L

Alice Hepplewhite (Mrs. George Hepplewhite)

"There was once a man in China who liked pictures of dragons. His clothing and his furniture were therefore accordingly adorned with dragons. This deep affection for their kind was brought to the attention of the Dragon Lord, who one day sent a real dragon to stand outside the man's window. It is said that he probably died of fright. --Yamamoto Tsunetomo, from Hagakure (Hidden in the Leaves), 1716

Good mourning, Widows.

Joy to you and me.

Today we honor and welcome to our joy-ous club, the club that no woman wants to joy-n, not really, not ever, famous widow, Alice Hepplewhite, wife of famous English cabinetmaker and furniture designer, George Hepplewhite.

Very little is known about George Hepplewhite or his wife, except that in 1787 Alice took over the business and in 1788 published a book with over 300 designs of George's work --"The Cabinetmaker and Upholsterers Guide."

George Hepplewhite is noted "for distinctive chairbacks in shield, oval, interlaced hearts, ladder, and wheel forms and for the use of much satinwood and painted beechwood as well as mahogany."

Mourning Joy:

Q: What do you call a 300 lb. orang-utan?

A: Sir.

Mourning Quote:

A relationship is placing one's heart and soul in the hands of another while taking charge of another in one's soul and heart. --Kahlil Gibran

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen. Open your journal. Set the timer for ten.

The topic?

Heart and Soul

What is in your heart? What isn't?
What about your soul?

Go ahead. Write something. I dare you.


:)L
Have a joy-filled day, Widows. And remember, we're not alone.

Macel Pate (Mrs. Jerry Falwell)

"My heart was burning to serve Christ. I knew nothing would ever be the same again." --Jerry Falwell

Good Mourning, Widows.

Joy to you and me.

Today we welcome famous widow, Macel Pate, wife of famous evangelist, Jerry Falwell, to our joy-ous club, the club that nobody wants to joy-n. Ever.

On April 12, 1958, Macel Pate and Jerry Falwell were married.

Jerry was born August 13, 1933 and died May 15, 2007. He has a fraternal twin brother.

Macel is left with their three children, 2 sons, Jerry Jr., a lawyer, Jonathan, a pastor, and daughter, Jeannie, a surgeon, to see her through her sorrow.

We wish them mourning joy all the days of their lives.

Mourning Joy:

Q: What's creamy and good for sick pigs?

A: Oinkment

Mourning Quote:

When you are kind to someone in trouble, you hope they'll remember and be kind to someone else. And, it'll become like a wild fire. --Whoopi Goldberg

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen.

The topic is: I am kind to...

Set the timer for ten.

Go ahead.

Write something.

I dare you.

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

:)L

Miliana Morales (Mrs. Rene Javier Perez)

Rene Javier Perez's daughter, Gladys


"He only told me to take care of the little girl, that someday he would come back. He said he would come in May." --Miliana Morales

Good Mourning, Widows.

Joy to you and me.

Welcome famous widow, Miliana Morales, wife of famous homeless vagrant from Mt. Kisco, New York, Rene Javier Perez, to our joy-ous club. The club that nobody wants to joy-n.

In search of a better life, Rene Javier Perez migrated from Guatemala to this country 15 years ago, leaving Miliana Morales and their 2 month daughter, Gladys, behind promising to send back money and to one day return.

On Wednesday, Rene Javier Perez's body was delivered to his parents' home, 11 days after his death.

Perez's body was found in a ditch on the side of a road in Bedford, New York next to an adjoining town, Mt. Kisco, less than 1 hour after he telephoned the Mt. Kisco police from the back of a laundromat requesting a ride. Perez was drunk, again.

The Coroner has ruled Perez's cause of death a homicide.

Three Mt. Kisco policemen are under investigation and ordered to desk duty while Perez's death is investigated.

Perez was 42 years old.

Miliana is left with their daughter, Gladys.

Mourning Joy:

Q: What's good for nervous elephants?

A: Trunkquilizers.

Mourning Quote:

If you believe you are to blame for everything that goes wrong, you will have to stay until you fix it. --Zora Neale Hurston

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen. Set the timer for ten.

The topic: blame; stay; fix it

Repeat the words over and over. What fills your brain when you do?

Write something.

It doesn't have to be perfect. There's no such word. As a matter of fact, bury, that perfect word. Just write the first thoughts that come into your head.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

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

Note to Miliana and Gladys: May all the days of your lives be filled with mourning joy.

Linda Della Donna

Claire Ruth (Mrs. Babe Ruth)

“Babe Ruth was a man who loved children and baseball; he could receive no greater tribute than to have a youth baseball program named after him.” --Claire Ruth

Good Mourning, Widows.

Joy to you and me.

Today we honor famous widow, Claire Ruth, wife of famous NY Yankee, Babe Ruth, to our joy-ous club. The club that nobody wants to joy-n.

Babe Ruth was born February 6, 1895 in Baltimore, MD. He died August 16, 1948 of throat cancer. He was age 53.

Claire Ruth lived on in their apartment at 100 Riverside Drive until her death, 28 years later.

Mourning Joy:

A guy walks into a bar, and there's a horse behind the bar serving drinks.

The guy is staring at the horse, when the horse says, "Hey buddy? What are you staring at? Haven't you ever seen a horse serving drinks before?"

The guy says, "No, it's not that... it's just that I never thought the parrot would sell the place."

Mourning Quote:

"Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times." --Anonymous

After we remember Him, open your journal.

The topic is Happiness; Choice; Effort; Times

Fingerhug your pen.

Set the timer for ten.

What thoughts circle your brain?

Write something.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

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

:)L

Mourning Joy-nal Entry

It's a new day, a new page in the life of this widow 20 miles north from where the World Trade Center us to be.

Mother's Day is come and gone, and this writer admits, it was the best she's had since her husband's death three years ago.

Time spent with son, G, his wife, C, made it happen. After an outing to the local diner for Challah French toast, smiling sunnyside eggs, a block of homefries and cup of coffee, we whiled away the chilly afternoon playing a game of Scrabble. *Yippee! I won.*

Outside my home office window, it's a cloudless sky the color of turquoise and music fills the air *I turned on the radio* Time to hit the showers *watch out, Izzy*, time to get ready for the day job.

:)L

As always, I'm remembering Him, and missing Him. how about you?

Have a great joy-filled day

Happy Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day.

As I sit and peck the keys of my laptop computer in my sun-filled home office on this day dedicated to me and you, I remember another time, another Happy Mother's Day...

There is no card on my pillow this bright morning 20 miles north from where the World Trade Center used to be, no waffles smothered in maple syrup served on a breakfast tray in bed, no left-over milk-egg batter for my small dog, Izzy and his little cat, Tux to lap up.

Today, there's just you and me, and the tippy-tap-tap writing music one makes when communicating through cyberspace.

Here's wishing all mothers everywhere, from this widow woman, to you, may you have a joy-filled Happy Mother's Day...

I'll be thinking of you today and wishing you heavenly joy.

And one more thing, just remember, we're not alone.

:)L

Sally Buckman (Mrs. Robert Tim Buckman)

“I told him to be careful and that I loved him, and that was it.” --Sally Buckman

Good mourning, Widows.

Today we welcome famous widow, Sally Buckman, wife of famous Greensburg, Kansas, Police Officer, Robert Tim Buckman, to our joy-ous club.

Robert Tim Buckman was killed when a tornado swept up his squad car and flung it 300 yards into a field.

He was 46 years old.

"He died being a hero," his son, Derick Buckman said. "He was sworn to protect people and that's what he was doing the night he got picked up by a tornado."

"Before Buckman was removed from life support...he symbolically gave away his 18-year-old daughter in an unofficial wedding at his bedside."

Mourning Joy:

Q: Why does an elephant take a shower?

A: Because he can't fit in the shower

Mourning Quote:

A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats. --Ben Franklin

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen.

Open your joy-nal.

Set the timer for ten.

The topic is: lawyers; fish; cats

What's inside your head, dying *pun not intended* to rush out your pen?

Write something.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

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

:)L

Nadia Cohen (Mrs. Eli Cohen)

"Translation of the Original Letter Before His Death:

To My Dear Wife Nadia, and My Dear Parent,

I am writing to you these last worlds, a few minutes before my end, and I would like to beg you to be in a good relationship forever.

I request you dear Nadia to pardon me and take care of yourself and our children. Look after them thoroughly, bring them up and give them a complete education, don't deprive them or yourself of any thing.

Please be always in close communication with my dear Parent.

You can get remarried in order not to deprive the children of a father. You have the full liberty to do so. I am begging you my dear Nadia not to spend your time in weeping about some thing already passed.

Concentrate on yourself, looking forward for a better future!

I am sending my last kisses to you and to the children: Sophie. Irit, and Shaoul, also to all my family, especially to my mother, my sister, Odette and her family, Maurice and his family, Ezra and his family, Sara and her family, Zion and his family, Alfred (Efrayim) and his family and at the end to Bero (Abraham).

Don't forget also your dear family; give them my best regards.

Don't forget to pray for the soul of my late Father and of mine.

Receive all of you my last kisses and blessing.

Eli Cohen 15/5/1965"

Welcome famous widow, Nadia Cohen, wife of famous Israeli spy, Eli Cohen, to our joy-ous club.

That's right, Widows, the club nobody wants to joy-n. Ever.

"On May 18, 1965, the government of Syria executed Eli Cohen despite protests from world leaders and Israel."

Nadia and Eli were married in August 1959.

"Eli Cohen's family continues to petition President Dr. Bashar el Assad of Syria to return Eli's remains to Israel. For over 38 years the Cohen family have not been able to visit Eli's graveside or say Kaddish, the Jewish prayer of mourning."

Mourning Joy:

Q: Why did the monster cross the road.

A: It was the chicken's day off.

Mourning Quote:

"I am only one,

But still I am one.

I cannot do everything,

But still I can do something;

And because I cannot do everything

I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. -- Edward Everett Hale

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen. Write something.

The topic is someting; nothing; everthing; what you can do.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

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

:)L

Evelyn Morita (Mrs. Pat Morita)

"One day I was an invalid. The next day I was public enemy #1 being escorted to an internment camp by an FBI agent wearing a piece." --Pat Morita

Good Mourning, Widows.

Joy to you and me.

Today we welcome famous widow, Evelyn Morita, wife of famous comedian and star of "Happy Days" fame, Pat Morita, to our joy-ous club.

That's correct, ladies, the joy-ous club that nobody wants to be a member of. Ever.

Pat Morita was born, Noriyuki Morita, on June 28, 1932 in Isleton, California to immigrant fruit pickers.

As a child, he suffered from spinal tuberculosis and spent much of his youth in the hospital. Against all odds, he learned to walk.

He recovered only to be sent to a Japanese-American internment camp located in Arizona during World War II.

Nicknamed "The Hip Nip" and 5' 3" tall, Pat first met Evelyn when she was a mere age 15. Her mother and Pat had the same manager. They met, again, years later.

Pat Morita died August 24, 2005.

Evelyn and Pat were married 12 years.

Evelyn was born February 24, 1949.

Note to Evelyn Morita: We wish you mourning joy all the days of your life.

Mourning Joy:

Q: Why did the chicken cross the road halfway?

A: She wanted to lay it on the line.

Mourning Quote:

“See, music was always a part of my life, and no one was around making big value judgments about one kind of music or another. My grandmother listened to country music, and my mother listened to opera. My father was a musician: I was in the middle of music. And nobody was saying this kind of music is good, this kind of music is bad, nobody was telling me rock & rock was out of tune. I didn’t get that.” --Jerry Garcia 1972

After we remember Him, open your journal.

Fingerhug your pen.

The topic is music, life, country, rock and rock out of tune.

What thoughts come to mind as these words spin the brain inside your head.

Set the timer for ten.

Write something.

Go ahead.

I dare you.

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

:)L

Bonnie Rockne (Mrs. Knute Rockne)

"It's my show." --Knute Rockne

Welcome famous widow, Bonnie Rockne, wife of famous Notre Dame Coach, Knute Rockne, to our joy-ous club, the club that no one wants to joy-n.

On March 31, 1931, Notre Dame Coach, Knute Rockne, was killed in a plane crash.

He was 43 years old.

Bonnie Rockne was a Roman Catholic.

Knute converted to Catholicism in 1925.

After the death of her husband, Bonnie purchased a plot at Highland Cemetery, a few miles west of Notre Dame campus. Though, Notre Dame had 2 cemeteries and Knute was to have been buried there, it was Mrs. Rockne who insisted her husband be buried at Highland.

Bonnie Rockne wanted to be sure that Knute's grave be taken care of in perpetuity.

At Notre Dame Cemetery, at that time, it was the responsibility of family members to care for a loved one's grave, i.e., mow the grass, plant the flowers. Or, pay a fee.

At Highland Cemetery, the price of maintenance was included.

Mourning Joke:

Q: A man walks up to you and says - "Everything I say to you is a lie."

Is he telling you the truth or is he lying?

A: He's lying. Even though he says he's lying when he says "Everything" he says is a lie, some of the things he says can be a lie, and this is one of them.

Mourning Quote:

"Take calculated risks. That is quite different than being rash." --General George S. Patton

After we rememer Him, fingerhug your pen.

Open your joy-nal, set the timer for ten minutes, and go.

The topics are: risks, rash, different

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

:)L

Haumea Hebenstreit Ho (Mrs. Don Ho)

"The Don Ho Show has been suspended for the moment so everyone involved can take time to plan the future." --Mrs. Don Ho

Good mourning Widows. Joy to you and me.

Today we welcome famous widow, Haumea Hebensgtreit Ho, wife of famous singer, Don Ho, to our joy-ous club.

Don Ho was born August 13, 1930. He died April 14, 2007.

"Of heart failure, at age 76, after a long illness and remarkable recovery from stem cell surgery."

Mourning Joy:

Q: How many letters in the alphabet?

A: There are 11 letters in "THE ALPHABET"

(Did you say 26? :)

Mourning Quote:

"There is only one success - to be able to spend your life in your own way." --Christopher Morley

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen. Set the timer for ten. The topic is success.

Go ahead. Write something.

I dare you.

Have a joy-filled day, Widows, and remember, we're not alone.

:)L

Ann Abrahamson (Mrs. William Abrahamson)

"He was the quieter guy, very secure about who he was." --Ann Abrahamson

Good Mourning, Widows. Joy to you and me.

Today we welcome famous 9/11 widow, Ann Abrahamson, wife of famous business analyst at Marsh & McLennan, William Abrahamson.

Ann and William were married 25 years. William was 58 years old when he died, the result of a terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, September 11, 2001.

Mourning Joy:

Q: When does a boat show affection?

A: When it hugs the shore.

Mourning Quote:

"Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict." ---William Ellery Channing

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen.

Set the timer for ten minutes.

Open your journal. The topic is Difficulties.

Go ahead. Write something.

I dare you.

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

:)L

Janet Calia (Mrs. Dominick Enrico Calia)

"My son is 7 years old. I told him the seven years you had with dad is a lifetime, and some people don't even get that. It's the quality, not the quantity, that counts." Janet Calia

Welcome famous 9/11 widow, Janet Calia, wife of famous Cantor Fitzgerald bond broker, Dominick Enrico Calia, to our joy-ous club.

Dominick was 40 years old.

Dominick and Janet were married 10 years.

Janet was left with daughters Jeanna, and Jaclyn, and son Dominick.

Mourning Joy-ke:

Randy The Rooster

This farmer has about 200 hens, but no rooster, and he wants chicks. So he goes down the road to the next farmer and asks if he has a rooster for sale.

The other farmer says, "yeah, I've got this great rooster, named Randy: He'll service every chicken you've got, no problem."

Well, Randy the Rooster costs a lot of money, but the farmer decides he'd be worth it. So, he buys Randy. The farmer takes Randy home and sets him down in the barn yard, giving the rooster a pep talk.

"Randy, I want you to pace yourself now. You've got a lot of chickens to service here, and you cost me a lot of money and, I'll need you to do a good job. So, take your time and have some fun," the farmer says with a chuckle.

Randy seems to understand; so the farmer points toward the henhouse and Randy takes off like a shot. Wham--He nails every hen in there three or four times and the farmer is just shocked. Randy runs out of the hen house and sees a flock of geese down by the lake. Wham--He gets all the geese. Randy's up in the barn with the pigeons; he's in with the ducks. Randy is jumping on every fowl the farmer owns. The farmer is distraught, worried that his expensive rooster won't even last the day. Sure enough, the farmer goes to bed and upon awakening the next day finds Randy dead as a doorknob, still as a rock, in the middle of the yard.

Buzzards are circling overhead.

The farmer, saddened by the loss of such a colorful animal, shakes his head and says, "Oh Randy, I told you to pace yourself. I tried to get you to slow down, now look what you've done to yourself."

Randy opens one eye, nods toward the sky and says, "Shhh, they're getting closer."

Mourning Poem:

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am the sparkle in the snow.

I am the shredded leaves that blow.

I am the sunlight on growing grain.

I am the gentle summer rain.

I am the quiet bird at night.

Circling about; Taking flight.

So do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I do not sleep.

Bianca (The Netherlands)

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen.

Read today's mourning poem aloud.

What swirls your brain as your articulate each word?

What words light the landscape of your mind?

Set the timer for ten minutes.

Write something. Go ahead. I dare you.

Have a joyfilled day, Widows. And remember, we're not alone.

:)L

Happy Saturday, May 6, 2007

Spring is sprung!

Outside my window 20 miles north from where the World Trade Center used to be yellow pansies and mint leafed begonia the color of snow blossom beneath a sparkling ball of yellow in a turquoise sky. Morning dew glistens green grass. A woodpecker hammers the bark of an aging oak.

Ahhh, spring is in the air!

Today, welcome all widows to our joyous club.

Gather round. Form a circle. Time for a huge cybernet hug.

We're not alone.

Today's mourning quote is lovingly borrowed from "Arroyo, a novel" by Summer Wood:

"To feel the landscape as a body is to feel your mouth melt, subject to grief and to longing

And dirt, even

How does dirt register the coming of winter"

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen.

The topic is dirt.

Open your joy-nal.

Set the timer for ten minutes.

Write something.

Go ahead. I dare you.

:)L

Josephine Fraser (Mrs. Walter Schirra, Jr.)

“I’m having a ball up here drifting.” --Walter M. Schirra, Jr. from Mercury 7 spacecraft.

Good Mourning, Widows.

Joy to you and me.

Today we welcome famous widow, Josephine Fraser, wife of famous astronaut, Walter Schirra, to our joy-ous club, the club that nobody wants to joy-n, that takes no volunteers.

Walter Schirra died May 3, 2007. He was 84 years old.

Mourning Joy-ke:

"Dear," said the wife.

"What would you do if I died?"

"Why, dear, I would be extremely upset," said the husband. "Why do you ask such a question?"

"Would you remarry?" persevered the wife.

"No, of couse not, dear" said the husband.

"Don't you like being married?" said the wife.

"Of course I do, dear" he said.

"Then why wouldn't you remarry?"

"All right," said the husband, "I'd remarry."

"You would?" said the wife, looking vaguely hurt.

"Yes" said the husband.

"Would you sleep with her in our bed?" said the wife after a long pause.

"Well yes, I suppose I would." replied the husband.

"I see," said the wife indignantly. "And would you let her wear my old clothes?"

"I suppose, if she wanted to" said the husband.

"Really," said the wife icily. "And would you take down the pictures of me and replace them with pictures of her?"

"Yes . . . I think that would be the correct thing to do."

"Is that so?" said the wife, leaping to her feet. "And I suppose you'd let her play with my golf clubs, too?"

"Of course not, dear," said the husband. "She's left-handed."

Mourning Quote:

"On a cool fall day in 1996, I was sifting through some documents on the great racehorse Seabiscuit when I discovered Red Pollard, the horse's jockey. I saw him first in a photograph, curled over Seabiscuit's neck. Looking out at me from the summer of 1938, he had wistful eyes and a face as rough as walnut bark." --Laura Hillenbrand

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen. Read today's mourning quote. Set the timer for ten. Choose a topic: Write about a cool fall day in 1996; how about sifting through some documents, whose wistful eyes peep out at you in a favorite photograph?

Go ahead. Write something. I dare you.

Have an abundantly joy-filled day, Widows. And remember, we're not alone.

:)L

Meet Izzy

Izzy here.

Yeah, I'm a dog.

Wanna make something of it? GRRRR!

Be sure to check out my blog.

C'mon. Give a click. See what I'm all about.

Paws for peace,

Izzy

Suzanne Pleshette (Mrs. Tom Poston)

"Wasn't that wonderful! Yes, that was wonderful! Isn't that wonderful!" --Tom Poston

Good Mourning, Widows. Joy to you and me.

Today welcome famous actress, Suzanne Pleshette, wife of famous Emmy-winning comic, Tom Poston, to our joy-ous club.

Suzanne and Tom were married in 2001. Tom died April 30, 2007 after a brief illness. He was 85 years old.

Mourning Joy-ke:

A housewife, an accountant and a lawyer were asked "How much is 2+2?" The housewife replies: "Four!".The accountant says: "I think it's either 3 or 4. Let me run those figures through my spreadsheet one more time." The lawyer pulls the drapes, dims the lights and asks in a hushed voice, "How much do you want it to be?"

Mourning Quote:

"Fate has no logic, you can't argue with it any more than you can argue with a tornado, an earthquake, a terrorist. Fate is another name for..." --Amy Tan, "The Hundred Secret Senses"

After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen. Set the timer for ten. Open your joy-nal. Read the mourning quote again. The topic is Fate. Fill in the blank..."Fate is another name for......"

Go ahead. Write something. I dare you.

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

:)L

Patricia Newsome (Mrs. Tommy Newsome)

"You'll know what kind of bird I am when I fly over you." --Tommy Newsome to Johnny Carson


Good mourning, Widows. Joy to you and me.

Today we welcome famous widow, Patricia Newsom, wife of famous saxophonist of Johnny Carson fame, Tommy Newsome, to our joy-ous club. That's right, Widows, the club nobody wants to joy-n. Not ever.

Tommy Newsom died yesterday, May 1, 2007. He was 78 years old.

Patricia and Tommy were married 50 years.

They have a daughter, Candy Newsom who lives in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Mourning Joy-ke

Q: Why did the chicken cross the road?

A: To get away from Colonel Sanders!

Mourning Quote:

"Love is tricky. ...It is never mundane or daily. You can never get used to it. You have to walk with it, then let it walk with you. You can never balk. It moves you like the tide. It takes you out to the sea then lays you on the beach again. Today's struggling pain is the foundation for a certain stride through the heavens. You can run from it, but you can never say no. It includes everyone." --Amy Tan, "The Hundred Secret Senses"


After we remember Him, fingerhug your pen. Choose a topic from today's Mourning Quote, then set your clock for ten minutes. And write. Go ahead. I dare you.

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

:)L

Bernadette Boggs (Mrs. Daniel Boggs)

"My dad was a good man. He didn't deserve this. ...My mom is devastated right now." --Kristen Boggs

Good Mourning, Widows. Joy to you and me.

Today we welcome famous widow, Bernadette Boggs, wife of New York City Transit worker, Daniel Boggs, to our joy-ous club.

Daniel Boggs was run over by a NYC Transit train late Tuesday, April 24, 2007.

Boggs was 42 years old.

He leaves his wife, Bernadette, and their three children, Kristen, 13, Danny, 9, and Valerie, 5.

Mourning Joy:

Notice in a dry cleaner's window:

ANYONE LEAVING THEIR GARMENTS HERE FOR MORE THAN 30 DAYS WILL BE DISPOSED OF.

Mourning Quote:

"In the beginning there was nothing. God said, 'Let there be light!' And there was light. There was still nothing, but you could see it a whole lot better." --Ellen deGeneres

Happy Anniversary in Heaven, Edward Louis Sclier

Today is Tuesday, May 1, 2007. It is an anniversary, of sorts.

It was on Saturday, May 1, 1987, in the non-denominational chapel of the United Nations, I married Ed Sclier.

And it was on Saturday, May 1, 2004, Ed Sclier died.

Who'd have known?

On the very day my husband, Ed, would have made dinner reservations to celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary, I made His funeral arrangements.

I remember Ed. My life is hard and lonely without Him. But I am grateful to Ed -- for all the happy memories and not so happy memories. I want always to remember the man who, in spite of all my lumps and bumps, accepted me, married me, and for 16 years loved me back.

Would that I could I would snap two fingers and wish for 16 times 16 years more.

But I can't.

I'm moving forward, now.

Getting on with the rest of my life.

I'm dating.

There. I said it.

I'm meeting nice men. Hopefully, I'll make a new friend. The important thing is I'm living my life.

Is it easy?

Am I totally comfortable?

Will I ever be completely over losing my best friend?

Hope springs eternal.

See my two fingers crossed?

Can lightning strike again?

I wonder.

Happy Anniversary, Ed Sclier, I love you, wherever you are!

:)L