Each time Friday rolls around I’m stunned. The other day I posted that it was Thursday until someone reminded me that it was actually Wednesday! I guess that’s a good thing – to be so absorbed in daily life activities that one is no longer fixated on days, nights, hours, minutes. That’s a gift, I believe, because it wasn’t always so.

This weekend marks the tenth anniversary of Camp Widow, San Diego, if I stand correct. It will be the last one of its kind as the Camp Widow program adapts to the needs of its ever-growing membership with their offering of unique services. Moving forward, Soaring Spirits, International will offer smaller “traveling” events.

I’m so glad that I attended last year, and as a rookie, especially honored to have attended as a Presenter at only 18 months in to my own Widowhood. I met some amazing people there and “camping” at the Marriott with a waterfront view was so incredible.

I needed that escape and if some of you recall, my first trip to San Diego in December 2021 – just after Rich’s passing – was to fetch a little Maltipoo named Quint. Those two events, occurring just a block apart from each other in that same city, were life path-changers. 

I have to admit, I was surprised when my Proposal was accepted, and lately, as I draft my memoir, so much of that experience comes back to me. In retrospect, it was an incredible adventure and when I returned east, I had the vision of a new direction that many of you have followed. I thank Soaring Spirits for that, and all of you, as well. I wish everyone a beautiful camp experience. It is amazing to be among those who’ve walked in our shoes; to be understood by those who truly “get it”. 

Not long ago a young engineer in Germany named Frank Jung contacted me. He relayed that he, his family and colleagues were preparing to re-enact a portion of a journey made by New Jersey-based widow, Harriet White Fisher. Frank told me that he had used my book as one of his research references. Around the World in1909: Harriet White Fisher and Her Locomobile was published by American History Press in 2014 and continues to fascinate readers. When I wrote it, I was not widowed, but now when I revisit the book, and the story-behind-the-writing, I see her life with new eyes. I understand now why she took that trip. She was following her path and post widowed voyage on a grand scale. Frank has painstakingly refurbished an actual Locomobile from that era for his own journey. 

I enjoyed writing that book with the vital input of Rebecca Urban, grand daughter of Harold Brooks, Harriet’s brilliant mechanic and driver. Along for the ride was Harriet’s personal attendants, Maria and Albert, and Honk Honk her beloved bull terrier. Other pets joined the crew at different points of the trip.

Frank is sending photos and notes daily. I love that he embarked on his journey from Italy, through the Italian Alps, on the anniversary of Harriet’s departure from New York City, July 19, 1909. Harriet’s trip covered five continents.

 

On Tuesday, July 22, my father turns 97 in a place that I hope is filled with food, music and Tom Brady and Red Sox fans! He passed in April 2023 after a long descent in to dementia. Despite his mental decline, he was amazingly physically strong up until his end, something of which his physicians marveled. He still loved to sing and never forgot who I was. Every time I entered the lobby of his Assisted Living facility he’d yell, “Hey, there’s my “daughtah” in his lingering New England accent.

In my earliest days of widowhood, he and Quint, were my life line with “Q” and I making frequent trips to visit. One of my favorite memories involve all of us watching the Winter Olympics on the big screen at Lakes Crossing Senior Living in Kingsland, GA. Quint would wriggle and give my dad “love attacks” like a little bear cub. My dad was a physical education instructor and coach – he was one of Bill Parcell’s High School football coaches, as my dad loved to tell everyone. Next weekend, is our Begin Family Reunion up in New England where he will be fondly recalled by a family tribe that has been described as a French-canadien fueled small nation as we are so large in number. Happy Birthday dad, you are truly missed. 

So, whew – I thought I had nothing to write about, but I guess I was wrong. Sorry for the ramble. I thank you again for reading! Wishing Camp Widow attendees a rewarding and healing event. Hold those memories tight. Have a good weekend.