gratefulone's profile

Eons member since

Dec 31, 2006

Age, Gender

63, Male

Location

Edgemont, PA

Hometown

Madison, New Jersey

Places I've been

IN THE BEGINNING: I was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts - the beautiful heart of the Berkshires - on New Year's Eve, December 31, 1944. Grew up in Madison, New Jersey because my father got a job in New York City when he came back from the War. ========================= ARMED SERVICES: Joined the Air Force after High School (school was not my favorite place) and spent time in Bremerhaven, Germany and Taipei, Taiwan. Got out in 1967 - just before Viet Nam became what it became. ========================== WORK/CAREER: After College, went into the sales field (Food Broker) - Then a buddy turned me on to computers (remember, in the 70's they were new - not many people knew what to do with them). Learned computer programming and it was the best move I ever made career-wise. ==========================

Education

• Graham Jr College - Boston, MA, Broadcasting - Communications (never used it yet) - 1968 to 1971

More about me

MY WIFE PASSED AWAY MAY 29,2006

She was only 60 years old (She was too young to leave me, although it didn't seem young when I was in my 30's & 40's, even part of my 50's) but as I've often been told, 80 is old except to a 79 year old. She smoked all her life and it was Lung Cancer that finally took it's toll. I've made it through these terrible times with the help of the group "Death of a Spouse" which I started because I couldn't find anywhere that people understood what I was going through. That group will always be in my heart. I check it out every day - my mourning isn't done yet. I don't know how I would have gone on without it.

After she died, I sold my house in Union, NJ (just ahead of the big real estate bust, thankfully) and for too many reasons to go into here, I moved to an apartment in Edgemont, PA, about 15 miles NW of Philly, near West Chester PA.

So now I'm starting a "new" life as a widower after 22 years of being married. Ironically enough, my first wife died in her early 30's from cancer also, bone cancer. I had to figure out how to work the laundromat machines, buy groceries (wives do allot for us married guys - at least in my case) All I have to do is forget to pick up toilet paper once and it becomes really clear to me that it didn't just "appear" in the bathroom closet all these years! ;-)

I have a lot of pain and grief, but that's where The Death Of A Spouse Group comes in. I have some good days mixed in there now.

I want to go on and create a life of my own, alone, for now. I want to learn to laugh again and get my interest back during Football Season, it wasn't there last year. I want to share and maybe help others in my same situation and take a shot at a new kind of life without her. I'm learning Web Site development and hope to set up a few Sites sometime this year. At least it keeps me busy and my mind active. Might even make a few bucks with them.

Life without my Best Friend, my wife Lucille, is not an easy path to travel, but I'm not giving up. I have good health, a few bucks in the bank, so I'll be alright. I'll just have to learn to take my life a day at a time (which I am already very familiar with through my years in Alcoholics Anonymous). I'll create my own NEW life one day and though it'll be quite different than before, It'll be MINE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activities

Active in Local Alcoholics Anonymous, specially going to those who can't get out to meetings like Jails and rehabs. Along with Animal Cruelty issues and Homeless issues, I also enjoy writing - stories, poetry, satire etc.

Favorite Charities

Salvation Army (I've had to take advantage of their "hospitality" during my drinking years - they were there for me - I'm there for them)

Favorite Books

Stud Lonigan - The Trilogy, by James T. Ferrell - To me, this is the best book I've ever read and helped turned me on to wanting to write.

Favorite Quotes

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there" - anon

Favorite Places

Northern New England from mid Massachusetts on up. (Sorry Connecticut and Rhode Island)

Favorite Animals

Dogs & Cats - (I like all animals - I brake for squirrels) I tell those who go deer hunting that to make it a true "sport", the deer should have a gun too! ;-)

More "About"

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