Just to say that I'm writing this blog and the book "Poor Widow Me" at the same time. It's a memoir, written from today looking back. I'm rethinking yesterdays ending to the blog "Keeping His Memory Alive" and I wrote an alternate ending.
Hoping you might take a moment to let me know which version you prefer and why - either as a comment here or to my e-mail address:
CScibelli@aol.com or on Facebook
Thanks everyone!
As I write this I see that we may have dropped the ball on our vow to keep Jimmy’s memory alive. I know this is natural. Even at the very beginning I knew it. I remember a friend’s 90 year old mother called me a few weeks after Jimmy died and said,
“I’ve been a widow since I was 60 and there are still nights when I lay in bed watching David Letterman and I turn to my husband’s side and I say out loud, “That was a good one, right Larry?” she said.
First of all, I was amazed that at 90 she still remembered she was ever married. And, 30 years later she's chatting it up with a cold sheet and an empty pillow? Who does she think she is, Yoko Ono?
I said, “Mimi, is this supposed to make me feel better?” She laughed. I thanked her for calling and after I hung up just for my own amusement I added, “Say hello to Larry for me.”
Better ending. Funnier. More pointed. (I love the Yoko Ono line.) Guess she has a problem breaking old habits!
ReplyDeleteDavid Letterman debuted in 1982! A little dimensia???
Thanks...the David Letterman is a current thing she does with her dead husband...not something she used to do and still does. That's why when it debuted doesn't matter, silly.
ReplyDeletethe ending you choose, depend (to me, obviously) on the reaction you want to inspire: melancholy and mourning or humor. they are both good. i like the funny (second ending) better. maybe you can use the first one somewhere else?
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie..you're right...appreciate it...
ReplyDeleteI definitely like the new one better. You are a funny lady and after I write my very sad and dramatic poor me blog-I turn to yours for some lightness on the topic. Stick to humor-I laughed at the end and nearly turned to my dead husband Bruce and told him how funny you are.
ReplyDeleteThanks "Life on Grief Street" - will check out your blog today. I guess since I'm funny I should go with it...good point...love your last line about turning to your husband Bruce...looks like YOU'RE funny, too.
ReplyDeleteDefinately like the second ending better. Your humor is makes the subject comfortable. And your 90 year old friend just makes me smile.
ReplyDelete