Who I am.

I write about the landscape of grief, nature, and the wisdom of fools. The author of four books, my essays, poems, and reviews have been published in over 50 journals, including in the Huffington Post and Colorado Review. I’ve won the River Teeth Nonfiction Book Award, the Chautauqua and Literal Latte’s essay prizes, and my work has been nominated for four Pushcart Prizes and named a notable by Best American Essays. My account of hiking in Yosemite to deal with my wife’s death, Mountains of Light, was published by the University of Nebraska Press. http://www.markliebenow.com.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Being Honest





Book: A Widow’s Awakening, Maryanne Pope

It’s unsettling to read about people who are in anguish coming apart at the seams. At the same time, Maryanne's book is also a story of the human spirit as she confronts one of the hardest experiences that she will ever have to face — the death of someone she loved more than life. After reading her book, I feel that we could sit down and begin sharing heart-to-heart.

Her particular hell: she was in her early 30s, married for four years to John, a policeman in Canada. Because there was no safety barrier, he fell through a false ceiling while investigating a break-in, hit his head and died. She did not have the chance to say goodbye.

* If you would like to read the rest of this post, let me know and I’ll send it to you. *

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You can find out more about Maryanne’s journey and the work she is doing at her website: www.pinkgazelle.com
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5 comments:

  1. Mark LiebenowMarch 4, 2017 at 9:23 PM

    Hi Mark! Wow...what a beautiful and heartfelt blog you have written about my book, A Widow's Awakening, and my journey through grief. I am so glad my story hit a chord with you. I know you have experienced your own losses and grief over the years...and read a great deal of other people's experiences with grief.

    I am SO glad we connected and although we can't have a sit down heart-to-heart, I am glad we have connected via e-mail!

    Keep up the amazing work you are doing...and I look forward to reading more of your writing :)

    Take care and thanks again so much for reading my book AND taking the time to write such a kind blog about it.

    Maryanne

    (Maryanne's Internet connection isn't working, so she asked me to post this for her.)

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  2. UnknownMarch 7, 2017 at 8:38 AM

    People do say strange things. I have had a couple people debate whether it is easier to divorce or have a spouse die - as if convenience is more important than life. But I guess I don't know what their pain is like anymore than they could know mine. Thanks to you both... remembering you in my prayers. Paul

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    Replies
    1. Mark LiebenowMarch 7, 2017 at 9:07 AM

      Thank you, Paul. As much as I'm tempted to figure out which is worse in things like this, I know it would only have personal relevance. So much depends on where the relationship was when things happened. I've had friends divorce because they discovered that living together wasn't working. They married other people, are happy and they are good friends. Other people are devastated. When someone dies, however, the relationship is what it was. There are no do-overs, no mending, no more loving.

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    2. UnknownFebruary 13, 2018 at 10:53 AM

      Yes! People do say the oddest things. And what I have really learned in life so far is that quite often what people say to me isn't always relevant to me...rather it is a projection of THEM - what they would do, how they would feel, etc.

      So now, when I try and be a good listener to others, I try to remember this so I don't do that!
      Maryanne Pope

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    3. Mark LiebenowFebruary 13, 2018 at 11:32 AM

      Listening, truly listening, takes practice. But it's more interesting to someone else share, and saying what I think.

      Delete

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