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Sunday, August 4, 2013

Sunday Surfing and Deepest Gratitude

Happy Anniversary, Myra.
Please allow me to start this post by conveying my sincerest, deepest gratitude to everyone who has expressed their condolences, thoughts, prayers and sympathies to my family and me over the past two-and-a-half weeks.

You cannot know how much they have helped, especially with so many coming on the same day I had to pick up the death certificates. I'm so grateful to DL Hammonds, Alex Cavanaugh and Al Diaz for their respective roles in making the "Blitz" such a special blessing.

Today is August 4th, our anniversary, the 29-year milestone, and the first with us apart.

I picked up a card to celebrate just as I've always done. Within it, I spilled my heart just as I always have. I'm unable to hand it to her this year and I don't know Heaven's mailing address. I am therefore putting it on my blog. Surely Heaven has wi-fi.

Even through the ache of loss, my love for you remains.


(Click to enlarge)
Now, for the surfing.

Please note that as time progresses, I should be able to raise the quantity of links back up to their original level. I'm still taking baby steps for now. I'm way behind on my visiting, but I do plan to catch up soon.

Two Words Writers Should Avoid

"than I" and "than me"

10 Words That You've Probably Been Misusing

Author Brand in the Age of Indie (Indie Life)

More on Author Branding

Storytelling Across Platforms
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58 comments:

  1. Suzanne FurnessAugust 4, 2013 at 5:12 AM

    Baby steps are the way to go Jeff. I'm sure your wife knows how much you love her today and every day to come. Your friends online are all thinking of you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 5, 2013 at 7:51 PM

      And I appreciate all my online friends more than they'll ever know.

      Delete
  2. SuzanneAugust 4, 2013 at 5:29 AM

    Beautiful words on your anniversary card - and I absolutely believe that Heaven must have wifi :) x
    Suzanne @ Suzannes-Tribe

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alex J. CavanaughAugust 4, 2013 at 7:36 AM

    I'm sure God has installed the best wi-fi ever. Take all the baby steps you need. We are here for you.

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 5, 2013 at 7:52 PM

      Thank you, Alex. One baby step after the other, right?

      Delete
  4. JoAugust 4, 2013 at 8:19 AM

    I liked those links about word usage. I come across that so often but usually bite my tongue rather than point out the misuse.

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 5, 2013 at 7:53 PM

      Unless, of course, we ask to have them pointed out to us. ;-)

      Delete
  5. Elizabeth Varadan, AuthorAugust 4, 2013 at 11:43 AM

    The first anniversary after such a loss is the hardest. You chose a beautiful way to deal with it. Best wishes.

    And thanks for the links.

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 5, 2013 at 7:53 PM

      I honestly could have done with more time between the two events, I think. And thank you.

      Delete
  6. L. Diane WolfeAugust 4, 2013 at 3:45 PM

    That is a beautiful card, Jeff. Even though you couldn't hand it to her, she saw it and enjoyed ti. Maybe she'd enjoy a card every year.

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 5, 2013 at 7:54 PM

      You can bet your bottom dollar she'll be getting one every year.

      Delete
  7. widdershinsAugust 4, 2013 at 5:48 PM

    Yep, I reckon she read every word.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousAugust 4, 2013 at 7:02 PM

    In my thoughts, Jeff

    ReplyDelete
  9. TrishaAugust 4, 2013 at 8:21 PM

    A beautiful card. She was a lucky woman and you were a lucky man, of course.

    Baby steps are the way to go. *hugs*

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    Replies
    1. Jeff HargettAugust 5, 2013 at 7:56 PM

      We used to debate which of us was luckiest/most blessed. I let her think we ended in a tie, but I was by far the one most blessed. (*hugs graciously accepted*)

      Delete
  10. Satima FlavellAugust 5, 2013 at 12:41 AM

    Hang in there, Jeff. It does get easier, over time.

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 5, 2013 at 7:58 PM

      I sure hope so, Satima. Amazing how much energy something like this saps from you.

      Delete
  11. Heather R. HoldenAugust 5, 2013 at 12:51 AM

    Aw, that card is so touching. You may not know heaven's mailing address, but I'm sure she found a way to read it!

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 5, 2013 at 7:59 PM

      She always was a clever one, Heather, so I wouldn't put it past her to find a way. I've since learned she used to scout out (and discover) my cards before I gave them to her.

      Delete
  12. Kyra LennonAugust 5, 2013 at 2:12 AM

    *hugs* I'm absolutely certain your wife read every word!

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 5, 2013 at 7:59 PM

      I'd give just about anything to be able to whisper them in her ear.

      Delete
  13. S.P. BowersAugust 5, 2013 at 7:15 AM

    You were both so blessed to have each other. Baby steps are the only way to get through this.

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 5, 2013 at 8:00 PM

      Even the baby steps feel like gigantic leaps at this point, but I'm doing my best to fulfill my promise.

      Delete
  14. J.L. MurpheyAugust 5, 2013 at 9:20 AM

    Welcome to the world of First. The first year after losing a spouse is always the toughest. Beautiful card.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 5, 2013 at 8:01 PM

      Firsts have been heavy on my mind. Everything is a first and I have at least a year's worth of firsts to go. It's tough. And thanks.

      Delete
  15. Maurice MitchellAugust 5, 2013 at 10:57 AM

    That's so touching. Don't let anyone tell you to rush it. Take your time to grieve.

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 5, 2013 at 8:02 PM

      I so appreciate that, Maurice. Part of me keeps feeling like others are wishing I'd just drop it and move on. Honestly, thank you!

      Delete
  16. Jennie BennettAugust 5, 2013 at 11:09 AM

    Beautiful card Jeff, I'm sure your wife appreciates it, even in heaven. Great links too, no matter how few they are. At least I was able to visit all of them. God bless!

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 5, 2013 at 8:04 PM

      Jennie, I'm glad you got a chance to visit them. Some have been "in queue" for a while. And thanks.

      Delete
  17. Al DiazAugust 5, 2013 at 11:42 AM

    I'm positive about the wi-fi and that she read it. That's a beautiful card. And as Alex says, we're here for you.

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 5, 2013 at 8:05 PM

      I have the best online friends from all across the world. Friends don't come any better.

      Delete
  18. Carol KilgoreAugust 5, 2013 at 1:59 PM

    She saw it. And is still loving you as much as you love her. Love is timeless. And thanks for the links. Take those baby steps as long as you need to.

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 5, 2013 at 8:06 PM

      True love truly is timeless. I firmly believe that. Thanks, Carol.

      Delete
  19. MorganAugust 5, 2013 at 2:46 PM

    <3 <3 <3

    Lots of love and prayers, Jeff.

    ReplyDelete
  20. DL HammonsAugust 5, 2013 at 7:46 PM

    Such a perfect card! Thank you for sharing it with us. I hope your week is a good one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeff HargettAugust 5, 2013 at 8:07 PM

      Thanks, DL! Today was my first day back in the office. It went much better than I had feared. I work with some pretty awesome people. Yet another thing for which to be thankful.

      Delete
  21. Matt HayesAugust 5, 2013 at 9:20 PM

    That is truly, deeply saddening to hear. Sorry for your loss, Jeff. Hoping you will find peace in your time of grief. Love is a delicate thing that we do, though it is not so easily broken.

    Wishing all the best for you, Jeff.

    -Matt

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeff HargettAugust 6, 2013 at 12:23 AM

      Thank you, Matt. It's a tough thing to endure for sure. You always hear married folks calling each other their better half. That was completely true with us. The two of us together made a whole.

      Delete
  22. L.G. KeltnerAugust 5, 2013 at 10:47 PM

    That was a beautiful card. I'm honored that you shared it with us. We're all thinking of you.

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 6, 2013 at 12:24 AM

      I appreciate that LG. Both the compliment and the sentiment. It helps a lot, truly.

      Delete
  23. Deniz BevanAugust 6, 2013 at 12:47 PM

    Sending you lots of {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}} My prayers are with you.

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 7, 2013 at 12:09 AM

      Thank you for the hugs, Deniz. And the prayers are most welcome.

      Delete
  24. klahanieAugust 6, 2013 at 9:50 PM

    Dear Jeff,

    Heaven has a superfast broadband connection to your beloved Myra. Your card, beautiful and profound. Your verbalisation, I hope, a modicum of comfort.

    I know this community has been touched. My kind friend, we are here for you.

    With respect and warm wishes,

    Gary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeff HargettAugust 7, 2013 at 12:14 AM

      So many thanks, Gary. I've written Myra a letter every night since that first one. I've been surprised at how much good it does me. (And surprised at how much I've written too.)

      This community is awesome! I have been blessed by people from countries all over the world. I couldn't give Myra the world, but I feel like I gave Myra *to* the world and the world received her well.

      My sincere thanks to you, Gary.

      Delete
  25. jaybirdAugust 7, 2013 at 10:49 AM

    Beautiful card and words to your wife. Just want you to know, I'm still praying daily (like I promised) for you and your family.

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 7, 2013 at 10:01 PM

      You don't know how much I appreciate that. Today was the hardest in a while. So much for thinking recovery might be quicker than expected.

      Delete
  26. NicoleAugust 7, 2013 at 2:14 PM

    Your words in the card are beyond beautiful, and I know Heaven's wi-fi is carrying this one right to the top. And I bet it'll send a response of sorts in some small, simple and beautiful way. Glad to see the baby steps on the links. Sending hugs and support.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 7, 2013 at 10:02 PM

      I'm taking every hug that comes my way, Nicole. I'm banking on God's wi-fi here. Thank you so much.

      Delete
  27. Chemist KenAugust 7, 2013 at 3:43 PM

    Jeff, I'm so sorry to hear about your wife. I couldn't imagine what I'd do without mine. Your life will never get back to normal, but in time you'll reach a new normal. Until then, take care.

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 7, 2013 at 10:07 PM

      That realization keeps slapping me in the face rather than sneaking up on me. It's just that the old normal was so perfect that I fear no "new normal" will ever satisfy. I appreciate your sentiments, Ken; the support of others is a lifeline, especially now.

      Delete
  28. kjmckendryAugust 8, 2013 at 9:17 AM

    Your words are such a beautiful expression of your love, I'm sure she got the message up there.

    I'm still praying for you and sending hugs your way.

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 8, 2013 at 9:41 PM

      I'm so grateful for those prayers and hugs. And thanks; I do hope she got the message.

      Delete
  29. Elizabeth SeckmanAugust 13, 2013 at 2:47 AM

    Such a sweet tribute. Hugs Jeff.

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    1. Jeff HargettAugust 17, 2013 at 1:04 PM

      Thanks, Elizabeth. She'll be getting one of these every August 4th.

      Delete