Wow. That essay---cracked my ancient heart in two. I am so so so sorry for your loss and the world’s loss. And I am buying your book for all my grandchildren--boys and the lone little girl. You are a light in a darkening world. I think (just made the mistake of reading the Sunday newspaper) --full of despair about our sad world--your light and kindness and Casey’s remind me that darkness wins when we, out of fear, extinguish our own light. So shine on my friend! Shine on!
Once in a while the universe reminds me that life is truly for the living and while we are alive we should really live. Thank you for sharing such a powerful story. It is heart breaking, humbling and inspiring.
I'm a Stage III ovarian cancer survivor and am sitting here teary because you've painted the picture of this fabulous woman who shouldn't have had to leave the party so soon. Very little progress on this deadliest of women's reproductive cancers has been made in years and years. There is NO screening test, no always-reliable blood work. I'm so pleased she encouraged you to write this book and that it will soon be available. We need you; we needed Casey.
On November 19,1989 my niece and godchild passed away of ovarian cancer. Sue was 27 years old. When I started reading your column, I wondered to myself how did she survive ovarian cancer. When I read the answer, the tears just flowed.
Wow, Connie, simply Wow! A story within a story and how our lives intersect with others that make all the difference in the way we live and love and tell our stories. Whether loving our husbands and wives, our children and grandchildren or good friends and colleagues, we have these marvelous and magical opportunities to become part of someone else's life when it matters most. You, and Sherrod, are good examples for the rest of us in how to give the best of who we are so that others may give their best too. Casey was certainly that and more. You are so right about living well, while we can, and I will add, doing the best we can while we can. Thanks for sharing your talents and gifts with the rest of us.
What a magnificent tribute to Casey, as well as, an introduction to your new book! I relate to this on several levels. I am an ovarian cancer survivor and I wrote a children's book while going through chemotherapy. Speaking life lessons through children's books is effective and a gift, to the writer and the reader.
Oh boy, I have been holding emotions in check for awhile now and this essay blasted open the floodgates. What a beautiful tribute to Casey. There’s so much to say but I’m just going to purchase a book for my K-8 Catholic school library students and share it with all of them.
As usual your words have left me laughing, smiling, and crying! Into your world came this woman/child named Casey and now because of your story, we all have wrapped our arms around Casey, Andrew, and baby Grace. My children and grandchildren are long grown but the magic of your book struck a chord with me and I will buy it for sentimental reasons as well as to stick it to those exasperating trolls.
I saw this coming. You don't read for a lifetime and miss foreshadowing. Still, wallop still landed hard. What a devastating loss to everyone who knew and loved her, not least her writers. Every writer needs a Casey in their corner.
Connie, I am writing through tears......you really touched my heart in so many different ways with this essay. First, I feel your grief for such an extraordinary young woman who had to leave us way too soon. I will be forever thankful that she encouraged (nudged/forced) you to write your first Children's Book. I loved the video you shared on FB when you first held your new book in your very own hands. Your smile and happiness in that video made my day! What a thrill for you, and for everyone who loves to read to their children and grandchildren. I can only imagine how much you miss being able to talk to Casey and to tell her how much you treasure what she did for you and Lola. But I am sure that she knew, because you always have a way of letting us know your feelings. This was such a wonderful tribute to Casey and her journey. She will always be remembered and the idea to help pay off medical bills has been covered on the news and will really take hold thanks to her and her family. Thanks for the tears and the warm feelings, Connie. I send a huge hug.
I was not ready for the surprise sad ending to your sweet story about writing your first children's book. My mom died from ovarian cancer, was a writer and lived well up until the last moment…she got to be 84 though, and see her children and grandchildren grow up. She was also a terrific editor…when I let her edit my writing…which I only did later in life when I got wiser. I can't wait to read Lola and the Troll, I look forward to connecting with it like I did with Daughters of Erietown and His Lovely Wife! <3
Such a wonderful reminder that the soul as a Phoenix is a real spiritual revival. Those we love and admire live on through their words and their deeds. What we do and what we write, matters.
Thank you for including the important details from the initial inspiration through to completion. So many of our thoughts become incomplete and discarded.
Your readers share the gratitude for Casey recognizing an important story to be developed. I hope that at least one child who reads or hears the Lola story and, when asked, what they want to be when they grow up, they say, "a book editor."
Wow. That essay---cracked my ancient heart in two. I am so so so sorry for your loss and the world’s loss. And I am buying your book for all my grandchildren--boys and the lone little girl. You are a light in a darkening world. I think (just made the mistake of reading the Sunday newspaper) --full of despair about our sad world--your light and kindness and Casey’s remind me that darkness wins when we, out of fear, extinguish our own light. So shine on my friend! Shine on!
It’s so *Connie* to make sure everyone is celebrated for their contributions.
Thank you.
And now, I need to go donate to RIP Medical Debt.
I can barely see to type this because of my tears. Heroes do not need capes—Casey was a hero. By the way, you are too.
Once in a while the universe reminds me that life is truly for the living and while we are alive we should really live. Thank you for sharing such a powerful story. It is heart breaking, humbling and inspiring.
I'm a Stage III ovarian cancer survivor and am sitting here teary because you've painted the picture of this fabulous woman who shouldn't have had to leave the party so soon. Very little progress on this deadliest of women's reproductive cancers has been made in years and years. There is NO screening test, no always-reliable blood work. I'm so pleased she encouraged you to write this book and that it will soon be available. We need you; we needed Casey.
On November 19,1989 my niece and godchild passed away of ovarian cancer. Sue was 27 years old. When I started reading your column, I wondered to myself how did she survive ovarian cancer. When I read the answer, the tears just flowed.
Wow, Connie, simply Wow! A story within a story and how our lives intersect with others that make all the difference in the way we live and love and tell our stories. Whether loving our husbands and wives, our children and grandchildren or good friends and colleagues, we have these marvelous and magical opportunities to become part of someone else's life when it matters most. You, and Sherrod, are good examples for the rest of us in how to give the best of who we are so that others may give their best too. Casey was certainly that and more. You are so right about living well, while we can, and I will add, doing the best we can while we can. Thanks for sharing your talents and gifts with the rest of us.
What a magnificent tribute to Casey, as well as, an introduction to your new book! I relate to this on several levels. I am an ovarian cancer survivor and I wrote a children's book while going through chemotherapy. Speaking life lessons through children's books is effective and a gift, to the writer and the reader.
This made me cry. Congratulations, and thank you.
Oh boy, I have been holding emotions in check for awhile now and this essay blasted open the floodgates. What a beautiful tribute to Casey. There’s so much to say but I’m just going to purchase a book for my K-8 Catholic school library students and share it with all of them.
As usual your words have left me laughing, smiling, and crying! Into your world came this woman/child named Casey and now because of your story, we all have wrapped our arms around Casey, Andrew, and baby Grace. My children and grandchildren are long grown but the magic of your book struck a chord with me and I will buy it for sentimental reasons as well as to stick it to those exasperating trolls.
I saw this coming. You don't read for a lifetime and miss foreshadowing. Still, wallop still landed hard. What a devastating loss to everyone who knew and loved her, not least her writers. Every writer needs a Casey in their corner.
You should have a tissue warning. I don't have young children but I will buy with the hope of sharing one day with grandchildren.
Connie, I am writing through tears......you really touched my heart in so many different ways with this essay. First, I feel your grief for such an extraordinary young woman who had to leave us way too soon. I will be forever thankful that she encouraged (nudged/forced) you to write your first Children's Book. I loved the video you shared on FB when you first held your new book in your very own hands. Your smile and happiness in that video made my day! What a thrill for you, and for everyone who loves to read to their children and grandchildren. I can only imagine how much you miss being able to talk to Casey and to tell her how much you treasure what she did for you and Lola. But I am sure that she knew, because you always have a way of letting us know your feelings. This was such a wonderful tribute to Casey and her journey. She will always be remembered and the idea to help pay off medical bills has been covered on the news and will really take hold thanks to her and her family. Thanks for the tears and the warm feelings, Connie. I send a huge hug.
I was not ready for the surprise sad ending to your sweet story about writing your first children's book. My mom died from ovarian cancer, was a writer and lived well up until the last moment…she got to be 84 though, and see her children and grandchildren grow up. She was also a terrific editor…when I let her edit my writing…which I only did later in life when I got wiser. I can't wait to read Lola and the Troll, I look forward to connecting with it like I did with Daughters of Erietown and His Lovely Wife! <3
Such a wonderful reminder that the soul as a Phoenix is a real spiritual revival. Those we love and admire live on through their words and their deeds. What we do and what we write, matters.
Thank you for including the important details from the initial inspiration through to completion. So many of our thoughts become incomplete and discarded.
Your readers share the gratitude for Casey recognizing an important story to be developed. I hope that at least one child who reads or hears the Lola story and, when asked, what they want to be when they grow up, they say, "a book editor."