What a delightful letter from a brave and caring woman. I related to Linda - I too am 79 and with a list of aliments - none terminal yet. I am a published author of a best seller, but am a bit disappointed with the marketing costs and the people behind such expenses. It sounds like Linda lived her life as she wished and her life influenced many, many others. I hope she has found peace now, but it also sounded like her bucket list had not been fulfilled and probably never would be - she lived daily -which is an example for all of us.
Of course, first and foremost, sorry for your loss. Your post made me dive into the rabbit hole to learn more about your friend who immediately made me reflect on life, death and what one does in between. Not to mention how one judges what others choose to do. I’m with LH, take the bull by the horns and make your own decisions… but also, along the way, how did she say it, … “and never pull the ladder up after you” — that one made an impression. In my rummaging through google i saw you in a pic with her at a book event — friends. So important. I loved that she wanted to provoke argument and thought. Her journal toward death reminded me of my mother whose cancer returned and she declined additional treatment deciding she wanted to “die with her boots on” — she did get to die at home but it wasn’t easy. Brave women… you are among them. I read your last quote in Ms. Hirshman’s obituary about not continuing with the book. Understandable… thank you again for sharing her journal entries. Makes me wonder about the life after - hoping she and her sister had a great hello.
I found her with Sisters in Law and have been a huge fan ever since. I loved this. "I have largely de-acquisitioned anyone who I had to dig deep and forgive." I am so sorry for your loss.
You are fortunate to have had such a friend, and we your readers are fortunate that you were so generous as to pass her thoughts -- so full of graciousness and courage -- on to us.
This was a delight to read and an inspiration. Thanks for sharing. She was, unfortunately, not someone I had known about previously. Now to go find some of her writings.
Thank you for passing on her final words to us, Margaret. And thanks of course to Linda.
May her spirit be enjoying amazing duck, with her sister, at the New York that's in heaven.
Wonderful, thank you
Thank you for sharing, Margaret. That was very moving.
Lovely, just lovely. And elegant. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you.
Very much appreciate all these comments. I think she'd be so pleased to know you like her piece. I loved it, too, beginning to end. And she is missed.
Thank you for sharing this exceptional piece.
Thanks, Gene.
Thanks so much for this. How generous of you both!
What a delightful letter from a brave and caring woman. I related to Linda - I too am 79 and with a list of aliments - none terminal yet. I am a published author of a best seller, but am a bit disappointed with the marketing costs and the people behind such expenses. It sounds like Linda lived her life as she wished and her life influenced many, many others. I hope she has found peace now, but it also sounded like her bucket list had not been fulfilled and probably never would be - she lived daily -which is an example for all of us.
Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth
Of course, first and foremost, sorry for your loss. Your post made me dive into the rabbit hole to learn more about your friend who immediately made me reflect on life, death and what one does in between. Not to mention how one judges what others choose to do. I’m with LH, take the bull by the horns and make your own decisions… but also, along the way, how did she say it, … “and never pull the ladder up after you” — that one made an impression. In my rummaging through google i saw you in a pic with her at a book event — friends. So important. I loved that she wanted to provoke argument and thought. Her journal toward death reminded me of my mother whose cancer returned and she declined additional treatment deciding she wanted to “die with her boots on” — she did get to die at home but it wasn’t easy. Brave women… you are among them. I read your last quote in Ms. Hirshman’s obituary about not continuing with the book. Understandable… thank you again for sharing her journal entries. Makes me wonder about the life after - hoping she and her sister had a great hello.
Wish I had known Linda. Lucky you. I'll definitely read her books. Thank you.
I found her with Sisters in Law and have been a huge fan ever since. I loved this. "I have largely de-acquisitioned anyone who I had to dig deep and forgive." I am so sorry for your loss.
Thank you, Lorene.
Thank you for sharing such a moving and delicate description of Linda’s final days in her own words.
A provocateur in the best sense. Hope you can honor her legacy by finishing the book. I’ll be first in line to buy it.
You are fortunate to have had such a friend, and we your readers are fortunate that you were so generous as to pass her thoughts -- so full of graciousness and courage -- on to us.
This was a delight to read and an inspiration. Thanks for sharing. She was, unfortunately, not someone I had known about previously. Now to go find some of her writings.