tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321626136760143456.post7565394683877456245..comments2024-03-04T12:55:39.873-06:00Comments on DriverWorks Ink publishing: What I’ve learned about grief DriverWorks Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15741635091455851306noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321626136760143456.post-56343966571662963892016-05-04T17:01:29.651-06:002016-05-04T17:01:29.651-06:00Thank you, Brenda. I am sorry to hear about your h...Thank you, Brenda. I am sorry to hear about your husband's illness and death. Cancer can be very cruel and we have witnessed that first-hand. Cancer hurts the person with the illness as well as the entire family and a whole pile of loved ones who aren't blood relatives.<br /><br />A friend who lost her husband told me that I did not need to apologize to her. "How would you know? I hoped that no one I knew would ever have to feel this," she said. Then we hugged each other and cried.<br /><br />We'll get through this. Slowly.<br /><br />I am a very private person and not prone to sharing my personal thoughts and feelings widely - it's partly the introvert in me but it's also the journalist, having spent my adult life telling OTHER people's stories and rarely anything about myself. But with Al's illness and since, I have stepped out of my comfort zone and have shared my emotions and actions when it has felt appropriate - and healing for me - to do so. I am glad that it has helped others. Al would be pleased about that.<br /><br />Take care.Deana Driverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00768786473064532395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321626136760143456.post-74074151231940095052016-05-04T14:17:08.556-06:002016-05-04T14:17:08.556-06:00Hi Deana, you don’t know me, but I worked in the c...Hi Deana, you don’t know me, but I worked in the cafeteria at the Leaderpost from 1988 to 1996 (the Black year). I knew Al from my time there. My husband and I also know Dionne and her husband through his business. So when their book came out I bought it and have followed their journey and your publishing business since. <br /><br />My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer last May and died two and a half months later. Then came the news of Al’s cancer and the treatment. I thought he was going to be lucky and beat it. I was saddened to hear that was not the case.<br /><br />Your statements regarding how you have felt the loss echo my own. I too feel I should apologize to all the widows I know for not being there for them, for not recognizing how life changing it can be. Like you I had experienced the loss of my parents and other family members, but this by far exceeded any of that grief. Everyone experiences emotions differently and there are certain factors in the equation that can cause differences too.<br /><br />Publicly sharing these things can be so difficult and yet so beneficial both ways. Somehow reading or hearing that someone else has felt the same way, has gone through some of the same things or done the same things helps. <br /><br />Thank-you for sharing.<br />Brendanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321626136760143456.post-46985994144881476162016-02-11T23:33:38.490-06:002016-02-11T23:33:38.490-06:00Thank you, Andrea. That is one thing about my Al. ...Thank you, Andrea. That is one thing about my Al. His "big personality" was memorable! He loved life and loved meeting wonderful people like you. It was so nice to meet you when we visited your school and shared our books with your classes. What a fun time! Thank you for staying in touch. Enjoy every minute you can with the ones you love. We have no regrets. We loved each other and our family unconditionally and were blessed to have enough time to leave nothing unsaid. Take care.Deana Driverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00768786473064532395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321626136760143456.post-59706188334257415392016-02-11T23:30:06.211-06:002016-02-11T23:30:06.211-06:00Thank you, Carol. I know you are a phone call away...Thank you, Carol. I know you are a phone call away. As I heal, we will keep in touch.Deana Driverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00768786473064532395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321626136760143456.post-60530192413202204352016-02-11T23:29:38.782-06:002016-02-11T23:29:38.782-06:00Thank you for sharing the blog post, Janet. I am p...Thank you for sharing the blog post, Janet. I am pleased that it may help some people as they go on this long, difficult road to healing.Deana Driverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00768786473064532395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321626136760143456.post-60213263634368321832016-02-11T23:27:54.156-06:002016-02-11T23:27:54.156-06:00Thank you, Jeanne. Just knowing that you care and ...Thank you, Jeanne. Just knowing that you care and are offering a hug is a great comfort. We will connect the next time I am in Saskatoon for any length of time, selling your great adult coloring book, The Zenimaginarium Garden. (See what I did there? Gratuitous book plug!)Deana Driverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00768786473064532395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321626136760143456.post-68194057814232724142016-02-09T11:25:06.396-06:002016-02-09T11:25:06.396-06:00I can't tell you how sorry I am for your loss....I can't tell you how sorry I am for your loss. I've only met you and Al a few times and I just want to say that your connection with Al was a visible one that was inspiring to witness. I am a married woman and my husband is my best friend. The thought of losing him terrifies me. I cannot begin to imagine how it must truly feel.<br /><br />All my best to you Deana,<br />AndreaAndrea Ostapovitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11151794751876169584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321626136760143456.post-21310211348448898622016-02-08T19:56:50.678-06:002016-02-08T19:56:50.678-06:00I can't imagine what you're going through....I can't imagine what you're going through. I am so sorry for you and your family. Please call me or Alan if you want to chat or want some company. Or to borrow a movie......we have lots. Sending love and hugs. ❤Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01893934866104765507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321626136760143456.post-64435264307271839802016-02-08T17:33:19.106-06:002016-02-08T17:33:19.106-06:00I sense a book about this in your future. I am goi...I sense a book about this in your future. I am going to share this with my friend and former neighbour who lost her husband November 2nd. You are spot on with your statements....Grief is HARD. Janet Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12306879311292686679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321626136760143456.post-75487757291224566222016-02-08T16:50:34.329-06:002016-02-08T16:50:34.329-06:00Deana,you are an amazing woman. You bring comfort...Deana,you are an amazing woman. You bring comfort to others in the midst of your overwhelming grief. I wish I was closer to be available to you for a hug or just sit with you and listen to stories about Al. I am just a phone call away if you feel the need to call. Do what you need to do,when you need to. ..love and hugs Jeanne Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09008370647282497283noreply@blogger.com