What to say to a widow? Here’s a tip: If the widow in question is me — tell me a true story about my husband. Read more.
Widowed
Jon died unexpectedly at the age of 79. I thought we'd have many more years together. We won't.
Old and Getting Older — The Octogenarian and the Four-Year-Old
Some old people, including me, are a lot like little kids. We like to brag about how old we are. Read more.
People Don’t Die Anymore — They Pass
People don’t die anymore — they “pass.” Otherwise sophisticated, hard-headed people are resorting to euphemisms when the subject is death. Read more.
I’ve Been Widowed Two Years. Now What?
I’ve been widowed two years. What’s next? Anything? My future feels as blank and inscrutable as it did those first months after Jon’s death. Read more.
Widowed: John Donne, Meet Leonard Cohen — And Send Us a Song, Please, From the Mystery Beyond
I’ve spent evenings with songwriter Leonard Cohen and gone to bed with poet John Donne. I want to say, ‘John Donne, meet Leonard Cohen.’ Read more.
What to Do With My Late Husband’s Winter Coat?
I wanted to keep my late husband’s winter coat. It let me feel close to him. But the weather was turning cold. Someone needed that coat. Read more.
The Little Tug That Could — Cross an Ocean. Scott Newhall and the Eppleton Hall
Scott Newhall and the Eppleton Hall: A doughty San Francisco crew sails an English paddlewheel across the Atlantic and on to California. Read more.