Skip to main content

In Mourning




One month ago, I lost my husband, Noel, suddenly, to an aortic dissection. This picture is from our 33rd wedding anniversary, and I never dreamed that it would be our last- I anticipated spending another 30 years together. Noel was an amazing man- so smart, funny and caring. I couldn't have asked for a more supportive husband- he made me laugh everyday and I will miss those moments. Together we raised three incredible daughters and he influenced the lives of thousands of his students. Even though his time was cut way too short on this earth, he lived life to its fullest- https://www.morganmemorialhome.com/obituary/noel-brodsky/

Noel was a big part of this blog from behind the scenes.  For the past few years, he's been the main photographer.  He also maintained all of my sewing machines- which was a lot considering the classes that I taught and the afterschool club sewing machines as well.  He was always my biggest fan when it came to my sewing, and if I sewed something for him, he would wear the heck out of it! 
I've been humbled and am grateful for the love and support our family has received from our friends, relatives, and colleagues. Thanks so much for your words of comfort and acts of kindness- it is so appreciated. 
I know that it seems like 2020 is a mess, but take it from me, every day that you can spend with your loved ones is a precious gift. Don't wait- tell them how much you love them every day. I am grateful for the 33 plus years that I got to spend with Noel.
It may be a while before I post again here. I am adjusting to life without my anchor. 

Comments

  1. I’m so sorry, Ann. I enjoy reading your posts. I’ll wait patiently until you’re ready to share with us again.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can't even imagine. You will be in my prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So, so sorry. God bless you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am so sorry for the loss of your good husband.

    ReplyDelete
  5. He sounds like a wonderful man, and I'm so very, very sorry for your sudden and horrible loss. Please be kind to yourself and may you find and cherish some small moments of comfort.

    ReplyDelete
  6. You have my deepest sympathy over the loss of your husband. He sounds like he was a wonderful, talented person. Please take time for your self and to be with you children. He will always be with you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am so very sorry for your loss. I am a widow of 7 years. Life is never the same but the pain turns to sweet memories in time. This is my first visit to your blog. I will be back and will be looking forward to your return when you feel ready. Blessings to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Ann, I am so sorry to hear this. Thoughts and prayers are with you. Hopefully you can be with other family members at this tough time.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Such a very, very sad time for you and your family. A good man taken way too early. I look forward to seeing you posting again, whenever you feel strong enough. X

    ReplyDelete
  10. So very sorry for your loss. I know he'll be missed deeply.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am so sorry about your husband. God be with you during this very hard time.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm so very sorry that you've lost the love of your life, Ann. You're in my thoughts and in my prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ann, I'm so very sorry. I lost my precious husband 22 years ago, and I still feel him with me at random times. May you receive the same joy. Wishing for your memories to sustain you.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  15. God bless. How privileged you are to have found the One.

    ReplyDelete
  16. So sorry, but glad to hear you valued one another and let each other know it.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I’m so sorry for your great loss. He sounds wonderful. A massive shock and a huge gap in your lives. Love to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  18. My sincerest sympathy for you and your daughters. It sounds like you and your husband had many wonderful times and all the memories will sustain you going forward. Be well and be safe.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am so sorry for you and your children's loss.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am so sorry Ann! How hard to lose your life’s partner, and so suddenly. I can’t imagine what it’s like. You are so right that we need to let our loved ones know how we cherish them. Life is uncertain.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Long time reader, I've always admired your honesty. I'm so sad for what you are going through.

    ReplyDelete
  22. My thoughts are with you and your family. I’m so sorry for your loss.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm sending condolences to you and your family. I'm so sorry to read this news.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ann, I am so sorry to read this post. My heart breaks for you. I’ll keep you in my prayers as you go through this difficult time. Thanks for sharing - he sounds like he was a wonderful man.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ann, it sounds like he was a great blessing! I am so sorry for your loss.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh my gosh Ann, I am so sorry!! My thoughts are with you and your family. This must be heartbreaking. Please take care of yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Ann, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family, do take care.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I am saddened to hear this! I will be praying for you to be loved and comforted by God in the days to come. I can see that your husband was an extraordinary man, and the days you did spend together were wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'm so very sorry for your tragic loss.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I like this part: "I know that it seems like 2020 is a mess, but take it from me, every day that you can spend with your loved ones is a precious gift. Don't wait- tell them how much you love them every day. I am grateful for the 33 plus years that I got to spend with Noel." Love you mom.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Ann, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Thank you for sharing about your husband, what a beautiful legacy he left. Sending love to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I am sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. I can only imagine how difficult this time has been. Grieving is often solitary and with the social distancing it can only be worse. I am wishing the best for you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I have been following your blog for many years and never commented. I really enjoy your posts about your sewing projects and you always give inspiration and good tips. Sorry about the loss of your husband. Time will heal and I hope you can find comfort in family and friends. Wishing you a better times ahead. Carol from Minnesota

    ReplyDelete
  34. Ann, I am so very sorry to hear that you recently lost your husband. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Ann, I am so sad to hear about your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I am SO very sorry to learn of the sudden death of your husband. It is very difficult to deal with an unexpected death, & my heart goes out to you. You were obviously blessed to have an amazing partner in life & I hope you will be able to draw on many wonderful memories when some of the initial pain eases. Please know that those who've followed your blog for a long time really care!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Ann, in reading your recent post on PR, I popped over to see more details and then read about the loss of your husband. I am very sorry to learn of your loss. It is truly hard to lose a love one, especially your husband and best friend. Prayers for you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  38. A loss which I feel not knowing him or you but that rainbow photo captures a keeper. Sincere wishes for you as you go forward in sorrow. May you walk in peace.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for visiting my blog! I would love to hear your opinions! Please share your comments here.

Popular posts from this blog

What to Wear in Madagascar

To be honest, I have no idea what to wear in Madagascar, and this title may need to be changed to "what NOT to wear in Madagascar" in a few months.  We will have to wait and see.  My 22 year old daughter, Alyssa, left for the Peace Corps this week, and she will be stationed in Madagascar for the next 2 years and 3 months.  Yes, you read that right- TWO YEARS and three months!!! We are very proud of her for wanting to help make the world a better place, and for being fearless in doing so, but it will be a looooong time for Mama and Papa back home. Not knowing anything about Madagascar, the first step in figuring out what to pack was to figure out the weather and the cultural norms.  Madagascar is a very large island off the southeastern coast of Africa.  It's very, very unique in it's ecosystem, and has many species that are not found anywhere else in the world- most famously lemurs. Right now, it is experiencing it's rainy season, as you can see by the

Vogue 9305 Asymmetrical Tunics

It's April and we're expecting snow tonight.  Have we switched hemispheres?  Nevertheless, I am sewing with visions of warm sunny days.  And for those warm sunny days to come, I imagine sitting in the shade with a light breeze flowing through the air, enjoying a light beverage with friends.  Just close your eyes and you can imagine too.  What would you be wearing?  Well,  I love a dramatic asymmetrical tunic made of the softest linen.  As luck would have it, I found just the fabric in the "As Is" section in Fabric Mart's sales category.  With just some irregular dye marks on the selvage, it was marked down, but still completely usable.  It started out as a solid color, but I did an ombre dip dye process to get this look- more on that later! For my pattern, I chose Vogue 9305 , a tunic with a shaped hemline, and two styles of pants (I didn't make the pants).   This pattern must be the biggest bang for your time possible.  The tunic went tog

Grey Cashmere Coat Simplicity 3672

For the past few months, Fabric Mart has had the most gorgeous array of Michael Kors Wool Blend Coatings that I have ever seen!  During COVID stay at home time, I've been letting my gray grow out, and I thought that even though some of the delicious sounding shades like apricot and apple green would be beautiful, the heathered gray shade would be the most flattering to my gray hair and the most versatile for a winter coat.  And it was one of the coatings that listed Cashmere as one of the fiber components, so I was curious as to how that would feel.