Five and a half months have passed since I last posted on this site. It has been a difficult time. My dear husband Lionel got very sick, ended up in hospital for months, and then passed away. But reading has been such a source of solace … and of enjoyment together.
While he was in the hospital, I started reading aloud to him … and to the other men in his ward … with doctors, and nurses, and other staff listening in. I read to them:
No Place Like Home: Fishing and Hunting Adventures Across Canada (by Ken Bailey)
Green River Falling (by RJ McMillen)
Dark Moon Rising (by RJ McMillen)
Black Tide Rising (by RJ McMillen)
Pale Moon Drifting (by RJ McMillen)
Grey Sea Running (by RJ McMillen)
Raven’s Cry (by Christie Harris)
During My Time: Florence Edenshaw Davidson, A Haida Woman (by Margaret R. Blackman)
I Heard the Owl Call My Name (by Margaret Craven)
Skinwalkers (by Tony Hillerman)
Shape Shifter (by Tony Hillerman)
Jim Chee: People of Darkness (by Tony Hillerman)
Sketches of a Little Town (by Stephen Leacock)
Stone Angel (Margaret Lawrence)
The Lonesome Gods (by Louis Lamour)
Watership Down (by Richard Adams)
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (CS Lewis)
Stig of the Dump (Clive King)
The Last Battle (CS Lewis)
The Hill Gang (our stories by my husband and me, written for our family)
I also have been reading books myself in these months. They include:
commentaries from A Cookbook With a Difference (GMD Secondary, Haida Gwaii)
bits and pieces from A Taste of Haida Gwaii (by Susan Musgrave)
Writing Life Stories 2nd Ed. (by Bill Roorbach and Kristen Keckler)
Self Care Takes Courage (by Julie Vermette)
Lost History: Secrets of the Deep (magazine)
Write Better Right Now: Creative Writing Tips (by Jody Lebel)
Cardiac Recovery Cookbook for Seniors (by Susan Nixon)
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pot Pie Society (by Mary Ann Schafer & Annie Burrows)
Prayer the Great Adventure (by David Jeremiah)
Strange Path to Love (by Leona Stevens)
Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime (ed.by Phyllis Tickle)
Knowing God (JI Packer)
The Morningside World of Stuart McLean
Healthy Cooking for Two – or Just You (by Frances Price)
The Jesus-Centered Life (by R. Lawrence et al)
Oh! and I went to the movie theatre and watched Project Hail Mary
And I read through my old journals #4 to #26
When I wasn’t reading, I carried on with some math learning, and French learning, and short story editing, and writing a late Christmas letter, and taxes, and journaling, and lots of cross-stich embroidery, and practicing piano and guitar … and in the past month and a half, doing the endless legal things one has to when a spouse passes away … and collecting photos of Lionel’s life (thank goodness I have organized and digitized my photo albums in the past), and of my Uncle Preston’s life (who passed away exactly a month after Lionel) …
I also want to thank so many family members and friends and extended relatives (and financial advisors and funeral home folks, and other legal folks) who have stood by me during this time … taking me out to meals and coffee, bringing food, comforting me, helping me go through all the stuff in my house, staying with me when I needed company, accompanying me to appointments, giving good advice, helping with paperwork, taking me out to various activities, and so much more. You know who you are, and you know you are so appreciated; I’ll never forget your care and help in this difficult time. God bless you all.
And now … life carries on … and I’ll try to post more often! I’ll be back to editing as of April 7th, and writing again, and … well, you know: more reading!
Norma J. Hill 
Big hugs Norma! Glad you are back! Reading was such a solace for me too when my mom passed and then again when Harold passed. 🤗🦋
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Thanks for the sharing, Pam…
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Ah, thanks, Pam. I’m glad you relate!
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God bless you, Norma.
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Thank you so much, Linda.
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Thank you, Linda!
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I’m amazed at how many books you managed to read aloud at the hospital and also the number you personally read. Wow!
Here’s a title that I think you’d appreciate: Hope Beyond Our Sorrows by April Yamasaki. April is the sister of a longtime friend of mine.
Blessings!
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Thank you so much, Helen. And I will definitely check out the book you recommended!
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God bless you Norma. You’re an amazing woman, tiny in stature and mighty in energy. I’m already tired just reading of all you’ve managed to pack into a few short months. We love you.
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Thank you, Wayne and Grace. Love you, too!
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Impressive reading list!
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It was an adventure!
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dear Norma, I’m sending you my deepest sympathy on the loss of your dear husband Lionel. It sounds like you are surrounded by wonderful family and friends who lift you up and carry you when you need the help. And that is wonderful. many people say that time heals all wounds, but I truly believe that the loss of a loved one is with us forever. I pray that the wonderful memories of your life together will bring you comfort, especially those times when you need that comfort the most. Sending you hugs from Germany❤️❤️
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Thank you so much for your words, prayers, and hugs!
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What a lovely way to spend your final days with Lionel. The spoken word, speaks so well in times such as these. I am exhausted reading your list. I continue to wade through Lonesome Dove. As a slow reader myself this project has taken, and will continue through many months. Blessings on your journey. BTW will you help with my taxes please?
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Thank you, Ken! I enjoyed reading to him (and the rest) as much, I think, as he enjoyed listening! … ha ha! Taxes! Ugh!
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I am so sorry for your loss. Reading to your husband in the hospital, and then the other patients and nurses and doctors, is so beautiful, such an act of kindness. Much heartfelt sympathies from Canada.
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Thank you ever so much.
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I am so sorry for your loss. Reading to your husband and then to the other patients and the medical staff, that is such a beautiful act of kindness. I’m sure they loved hearing you read. Bless you. Sending you condolences from Canada. Take care of yourself too.
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Thank you so much.
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Oh, Norma. Glad you are back but sad to hear of your loss. Virtual hug.
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Thank you so much, Rosemary.
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