Maryann Hartzell-Curran

from We to Me


What Brings Me Joy and Happiness

By

My life of seventy plus years has been blessed with much happiness. I believe that these blessings have shaped who I am, what I do and how far I have come in my lifetime. It is hard to pinpoint one or two, so I have made a list of the Joys that light my life. There is no order; rather I will list them as they come into my mind.

TRUE JOY IS:

Waking up next to my husband to live another day.

My morning walk with my dogs, Emma and Anna.

happinessWhen my son calls on Friday mornings to share his week with me.

Talking to my granddaughter on the phone every Saturday afternoon!

Thinking about her and what she is doing.

Popcorn and M & Ms at the movies.

Watching my favorite DVD’s : Out of Africa, Born Free, The Way We Were and Casablanca.

Lunch at Steak and Shake: sharing a milkshake with my husband Jack.

All the memories I have of my husband John and the life we had together.

Talking to my sister and my brother, sharing stories of our family.

Biting into the juicy meat found on BBQ ribs from Port Orange Steak House!

Feeling needed by my friends and family.

Writing stories and memoirs of my lifetime adventures.

Wearing jeans and a sweatshirt when it is finally cool in Florida

Celebrating Advent and Lent in preparation for Christmas and Easter.

Driving my Cadillac with the sunroof open and my satellite radio blaring.

Talking to my old friends in Illinois.

Picking roses from my garden.

Discovering a monarch caterpillar spinning its cocoon on our front porch.

Putting the bed quilt and pillows out on the patio to take on the fresh outside smells.

Watching the mother dove each spring build her nest in our hanging basket on the front porch.

Drinking a great glass of champagne on New Year’s Eve.

Taking an hour long nap in the afternoon.

Listening to the rain beat on the roof with my dogs sleeping near me and my husband dozing in his chair

Hanging wet sheets on a line and inhaling their aroma.

Walking into the front door of Barnes and Noble to breath in the fragrance of books.

Going to lunch with my friends, Connie, Nancy, Mary Jane, or Pat.

Planning a trip to a far off destination.

Experiencing a Great Mass on Sunday Morning.

Fitting into my size eight cocktail dress.

Going to the Spa for a facial and a pedicure.

Opening the Bedroom window to let fresh, crisp, cool air into the house.

Getting the notice that my Mammogram is normal.

Wearing my Beaver coat to Chicago in the winter.

Standing in a showroom of new Cadillacs inhaling the aroma of their beauty.

Folding freshly washed and dried laundry.

Sitting at our monthly Reader’s meeting sharing the joy of our latest book selection.

Receiving an envelope of pictures of my granddaughter

Going to sleep each night listening to the whole household breathing.

THESE ARE JOYS IN MY LIFE… AND I AM THANKFUL FOR THEM

Originally posted December 30, 2014

Comments

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