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DocTalk, Allan N Schwartz PhD's avatar

Leif I also love hard cover books and saving them but I have transitioned to kindle. I will definitely find and dowload and read your books and lets connect regularly

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DocTalk, Allan N Schwartz PhD's avatar

I just purchased one and of course plan to read it

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Linnea Butler, MS, LMFT's avatar

The grief is real. I am also downsizing and in the process getting rid of some of my books. It hurts me every time I give one away, but it helps to know that someone else will love it too.

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

Allan, Thank you for explaining how there are other causes and or types of grief that we go through in our lives. I'm often surprised by how many people don't recognize that. It is hard to give up possessions that hold dear memories, like books and art. I am thinking of you throughout this change in your life, and I hope you find the benefit of more community to be a comfort as you get settled in to your new place.

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DocTalk, Allan N Schwartz PhD's avatar

Thank you, Pamela and I will be calling you

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Pamela Leavey's avatar

Have a restful night.

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Janice Walton's avatar

Hi, I know that grief. I'm 86, and like you, my spouse died after years of marriage. I live in my apartment, but the prospect of moving into a retirement community weighs heavily on me. I felt such a loss of control when I stopped driving - it was my choice, and I didn't want to drive, but some of my independence was gone. No words of wisdom or platitudes can make this any easier, but I'd be willing to bet that you will find a way to make this new chapter in your life work for you.

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Leif Gregersen's avatar

Hello Allan. I relate in many ways to your stages of grief post. I am sorry to hear your wife has passed, that must be incredibly hard to live with. Thank you for subscribing to my substack, I hope to correspond with you more as we both add new posts. I also wanted to mention that I have written 12 books, all of which are available on kindle. You said in your post you had to get rid of some of your mental health books, so I want to encourage you to download the three I have written. They include, "Through the Withering Storm" "Inching Back to Sane" and "Alert and Oriented x3" you can find these on amazon under my name, Leif Gregersen. I also have written some poetry and fiction, but three books are already a lot to get through. I understand how you feel about kindle books, I love paper books a great deal, I even just put in a brand new 6-level book case in my apartment and I simply love having a huge selection of hard copy books to dive into. For me, half of the pleasure of owning books is being able to have them on display so I can remind myself what I have and judge what I will read next. Here's hoping you do find many friends and settle into a comfortable new life.

Yours,

Leif Gregersen

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DocTalk, Allan N Schwartz PhD's avatar

I just purchased through the weathering storm and look forward to reading it

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DocTalk, Allan N Schwartz PhD's avatar

Janice, because of my balance problems, I was required to give up my car. That was a major loss. I can also say that I am hopeful that this senior center will give me the opportunity to socialize rather than hibernate in my condo apartment.

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Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

Reading your letter

I find it lovely

how your mind glows

even as you grieve

Long may you shine

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Feb 16
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DocTalk, Allan N Schwartz PhD's avatar

Thank you

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