"Wherever you are, I'm waiting for you. Wherever I am, I'm waiting for you"

[CTyankee]

Those were words written by a dying man to his wife. She was my dear writing professor in a graduate course I had taken late in my life. His obit appeared today in the NYT, as he was a fairly well known playwright and poet in NY (but lived in New Haven). We have kept in touch off an on since I took her writing course (and published and exchanged books). Now her beloved husband is gone.

I commented on that quote, saying how It reminded me so much of Yeats, particularly the line about her beloved's moment of "glad grace&quot in my email to her. I never met him but told her "what a lovely man" he was. They were a very private couple.

I'd love to send her my condolences in a material way. I know she won't be sitting shiva, as they weren't religious. She is alone, altho her academic community will certainly be comforting to her. They had no children.

A small fruit arrangement from Harry & David's --advertised as "nourishing" for those who are in mourning -- is what I am considering to send to her. I have already sent a donation to his designated charity.

Perhaps something else. I don't know.

[rubbersole]

1. A first edition of "Out of Africa".

Best thing I received. It meant more after I read it. It was $10 from a used bookstore.

[CTyankee]

2. A treasure!

I imagine that my prof has lots of books, so I opted for something practical but beautiful. Harry and David's is a premier gift catalog and they do wonderful things with fresh produce arrangements for special occasions. The one I liked was in the section of nourishment for those in mourning. It's a Jewish tradition to send food for the mourning, esp. during sitting shiva. I don't cook and even if I did it would be a trip across town, not to mention an invasion of her privacy at such a time.

I did send her a link to a concert cellist's performance of "Benedictus" which is a beautiful, if sad, piece of music.

[2naSalit]

3. A personal letter in...

A nice, simple card. Sometimes that can mean more than anything.

[CTyankee]

4. We are in touch by email and have been over the 21 years since I graduated from the MLS program.

Liberal Studies was a joy. I hated leaving!

[2naSalit]

5. But that's not the point.

It's that you took the time to write something that you might not even say on the phone, a nice thought.

[CTyankee]

6. Honestly, I defer to her on this. She is more comfortable with email and I don't think she carries a cell phone.

[question everything]

7. Theses are powerfully words that get my eyes misty just reading them

Yes, I think a food tray could be nice. Also, can be offered to visitors.