Maryann Hartzell-Curran

from We to Me


Thank You God!

By 1 Comment

It is hard for me to believe that in all the writing I do, I have never written a Thank You letter to God.  So today, I am going to do just that. I think this letter can be used all the year, not just for Thanksgiving Day.

Dear God,

At 74 years old, where do I begin to thank you?  I have lived a wonderful life full of love, laughter, good friends, a beautiful family, good health, blessed marriages, an awesome son, lovely daughter-in-laws, precious grandchildren and many material possessions. I have traveled the world and met many people. I have had a great education, held good jobs and been fortunate to use my creativity in several endeavors.  I have been blessed to have had these experiences but the most secure one is with you.

I thank you for your world even though mankind has screwed it up a lot. But despite that, you make the sun come up every day and go down at night. That in itself is a miracle!

I thank you for all of the animals on earth, for my beloved pets, and for the happiness they always bring me.  There’s nothing like my dogs waiting to greet me after being gone for a long time and the aroma of my home upon opening the door.

I thank you for the many friends you have given me, for experiencing joyful times and also being there for their loss.  I thank you for giving their families hope and for helping me to say the right things.

I thank you for my writing, for my grief groups and for helping me to form a plan to encourage them to go on.  The easy part is to write these things and the hard part is to carry it out.  I thank you for their futures even though their beloved is with you.

I thank you for my parents, for my in-laws, my brother and sister and all the people who have come and gone in my family.  Even through divorces, we learned and loved each other taking something to remember in the future.

I thank you for helping me with my cancer. For my doctors and nurses, for the medicine that is available to me and for the support of my husband, Jack and my son.  Their love and support have gifted me as I continue on this sometimes scary path of illness.

I thank you for books, for authors, for all the music, plays and great movies. I thank you for instilling great story lines in this all.

But the biggest thank you I have is for YOU!  For believing in me, for holding me and for cheering me on.  For giving me the right words when I felt vacant and for helping me to find my Peaceplace on earth.

I celebrate you today and love you.

Always your child,

maryann

Comments

  1. Well said, my dearest friend. GOD knew that when HE formed you, you definitely were formed in HIS image. You have been an inspiration to all who have crossed your path at one time or another. I am honored to be chosen as a FRIEND of you and the MOST HIGH GOD

    Reply

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Thank you to all my followers and greetings to my new ones. Many of you were introduced to my work after reading my first book, FROM WE TO ME…letters to my friend. This was published in the fall of 2013 and has enjoyed some success. Many of those who have read the book have written encouraging comments, saying it was helpful to those who are experiencing grief.

And now…. I’m introducing my second book, From Me to We. Lots of people have asked me why I wrote it, and it’s because I wanted to share my years after the first year, detailed in From We to Me, with readers. I always emphasize that my experiences are just that… mine… and hopefully they will open people’s eyes inviting them to have similar ones. I keep my sense of humor throughout the book but also emphasize how difficult a lot of days were without my husband. Written in three parts, Section One, is how I grew up,  after the death of my husband, Section Two, the beginning of my socializing again, Section Three… taking a chance, falling in love and marrying again.  The stories are candid and the information honest and straightforward.  I’m hoping the book will help lots of people.

I continue to write my Overcoming Grief Blog and have written many stories on my Facebook page. Reading your responses has touched me deeply and given me a nudge to keep on writing. I invite you to spend some time exploring the resources and ideas within my website:

– If you’re looking for a gift for someone who has recently lost their spouse, my first book From We to Me is an ideal way to offer comfort.

– Feeling down and need some inspiration? Read some of my short stories based on experiences with my grief groups as well as personal experience in the Overcoming Grief blog section.

– Did you know I lead grief groups? I am a professional who speaks from the heart. Whether you are looking to start a grief group series or you want her to speak at your next event, contact us. I can bring wisdom and humor to those who need it most.

– If you enjoy sharing tidbits about your childhood with your grandchildren, you may enjoy some of my memoirs posted in Letters to my Granddaughter. I know a lot of you will relate to these letters, and I invite you to write your own.

SO…Welcome to you all. Thank you for all of your support over the years as I made my transition FROM WE TO ME and then FROM ME TO WE.

Listen to Maryann on The Author’s Show Podcast

What people are saying about "From Me to We"

This is a journey of courage; one that we will all travel someday.

"I have known Mary for almost 25 years and have read many of her manuscripts. From We to Me is...

~ Dr. Lynn Deegan, Psy. D.

Maryann Hartzell-Curran
2019-05-01T11:46:04-04:00

~ Dr. Lynn Deegan, Psy. D.

"I have known Mary for almost 25 years and have read many of her manuscripts. From We to Me is by far the most beautiful of her works. She painstakingly shares her memories of the first 365 days of her life as a widow, including moving events most of us would be too embarrassed to reveal.  I recommend this to not only those who have lost a loved one, but to anyone who is afraid to feel.  This is a journey of courage; one that we will all travel someday.”

Thank you again for your beautiful gift.

“I’ve read 38 letters…I am taking my time and reading few each night enjoying each letter. I always find something...

~ Nanette

Maryann Hartzell-Curran
2019-05-01T11:46:35-04:00

~ Nanette

“I’ve read 38 letters…I am taking my time and reading few each night enjoying each letter. I always find something that I can relate to in losing my parents and even my cat, KitKat.  Yesterday was 11 months since Dad had died and I found myself getting out of bed last night and going into his room to talk to him. I love the story of JT and Kelly walking in your footprints…how wonderful. Thank you again for your beautiful gift.”

She is honest and that is what most of us need…

"What makes FROM WE TO ME different than other books on grief is the openness of the author and her...

~ Neal

Maryann Hartzell-Curran
2019-05-01T11:47:04-04:00

~ Neal

"What makes FROM WE TO ME different than other books on grief is the openness of the author and her honesty with her feelings. Not kid gloves but boxing gloves are a good way to illustrate how she treats the elements of her loss e.g. anger, fear and regret. She is honest and that is what most of us need when a loss inflicts pain on our “perfect” worlds. Thank you Maryann.”

Her words spoke to me, reassuring me…

“I loved Maryann’s first book for many reasons -- the main one that when I read it, my husband of...

~ Patricia B.

Maryann Hartzell-Curran
2019-05-01T11:48:26-04:00

~ Patricia B.

“I loved Maryann’s first book for many reasons -- the main one that when I read it, my husband of 55 years had just died. Her words spoke to me reassuring me that my feelings were a lot like hers and my day to day walk alone was comforted by God’s love. I can’t wait to read the new book because I have started dating and have lots of questions. I know she will cover that in her new book, FROM ME TO WE.”
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Maryann Hartzell-Curran