Friday, July 26, 2013

Mary Worth 1,640

Shortly after my mother-in-law passed away, my father-in-law, only in his late fifties, said to me with tears brimming in his eyes, "You can't understand this until you've gone through it." It's a moment I've never forgotten. It taught me that there is a difference between compassion and empathy, and it is good to be compassionate as long as you remember the limits of your empathy.

I believe his counsel has helped me in my life as I have the opportunity in my professional work to be associated with many widows and widowers. They have taught me many things about grief, about life, and about love as several of them have opened up their hearts much as my father-in-law did.

I admire each of these people for their courage and their faith and their hope that they can emerge stronger, more compassionate, and supportive of those who walk the same path they are walking.

I am quite sure none of them have ever said, shrugging their shoulders, "When my soul mate died, it was a great lesson! I learned that I want to be remembered! La-di-da, la-di-da."

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Mary Worth 1,638

Please let tomorrow's strip begin with my favorite words: "Let me tell you a story..." Please, please please. And please let that story be about Mary's crazy college days with star athlete and student body president Jack Worth (awesome), instead of how she moved on after Jack's death (snore). Or it could just be more walking through the desert. That would be nice, too.

Today's Full Strip

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Mary Worth 1,637

It was presumptuous of me to assume yesterday that the story was ending, when it really never began. Fortunately, there seems to be some sort of African lion hiding in the background, stalking Mary, ready to pounce. This story could get interesting really fast.

Today's Full Strip

Monday, July 22, 2013

Mary Worth 1,636

The Arizona desert served as the perfect metaphor for the loneliness of widowhood in this heartbreaking story, and now that it's over, Mary can return to Santa Royale with a New Perspective. It's the rich character development that makes this comic strip so deeply enduring. I've been weeping all day at June's Pain and Mary's New Perspective.

Today's Full Strip

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Mary Worth 1,635

Well, I come back from a week of camping in hot and muggy Virginia (heat index: 105), only to find Mary Worth wandering into the Arizona desert. It may be in the 90's there, but its a dry heat. I hope she's got another bottle of "Agua" with her.

It's nice to be back. I can't tell you how nice it is to be back. It's going to take a few weeks to recover from this alleged "vacation." I look forward to catching up on everyone's comments.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Mary Worth 1,634

Dry those eyes, Chin Napkin. The Deep Emotions that Pax Wellness Center brings out in everyone will keep you very, very busy indeed.

Speaking of another "Beloved Mary..."

Today's Full Strip

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Mary Worth 1,633

We get to enjoy Mary's yoga class, and now her healthy midday meal, but what happened to our massage? We don't get to watch Mary get a massage? I feel let down.

I guess I better go get my own massage. Pax Wellness Center, here I come. I'll see you all in a week!

Today's Full Strip

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Mary Worth 1,632

There's a difference between crossing the state line and going into a trans-meditative state. One takes longer.

Today's Full Strip