One aspect of the recent sad news has stuck with me. It’s plain that Dee had asked her brother to put out a note in minimal form in the event of… It was typical of Dee not to want to make a fuss, or to have a fuss made, and equally typical that she didn’t want to leave her friends and readers hanging in mid-air. I’m thankful for that.
It does make a journaller or blogger think, though, doesn’t it?
I hate it when a journal (I’ll call ‘em that, you may blog if you wish to) just stops without explanation. I’m not particularly morbid, and I seldom think the worst but even so. It can’t be too hard to find someone willing to post a comment giving readers the bad news, or to say something like: “I’m done with this” or “I’m taking a [long] break” along with some variant of “Thanks for all the fish.”
Seems to me there aren’t any real responsibilities or contractual obligations placed upon the writer in this form. No-one can go on for ever. Life gets in the way one way or another. So a short note, or an instruction to a trusted friend is the least one can do to ease the minds of those who may have become involved with our daily/weekly/periodic ramblings. And if the break is not planned, or the resumption takes longer than a reasonable time, then a short post saying something along the lines of: “I’m still here. I’m ok. I’ll be back. Don’t worry about me” just has to be the decent thing to do.
Dee showed me a lot of things, and I’m grateful for every one of them. The realisation of the need to make provision ‘in the event of’ is by no means the greatest gift she gave, but it’s a pretty darned good one.
A friend of mine posted a cheerful post in her Live Journal then went out and killed herself.
The jounal entry is still up. This was a few years ago. Still hurts.
I’ve discussed this same topic with my daughter, making sure she knows where my password, and log on information is kept. In thevent , I’m beamed up, and didn’t have chance to say “adios amigo’s” you’ll all get the word
A special thought for Dee also ….
I’ll have to ask one of our kids to at least send out a notify as my husband won’t come near the computer and only a couple phone numbers are in my address book that no one will be able to make hide nor hair out of.
First we need to be able to discuss that with whomever.
Yes, as hard as it was to get the news, I’m still grateful to get it, and not be left wondering. Close as we live, I might have just popped up there to see — wouldn’t that have been awful, to knock on her door & find strangers?
I have to get someone to do that for me when it’s my time as well — I’ve a blog and a journal, & several lists. I had thought about it, but just haven’t done anything yet.
I am young and healthy but have thought of this too, and in the event of a horrible accident or whatever would want my wife to make a brief announcement somehow about what happened. Which sounds like I consider myself more important than I actually am
Not that I’m expecting to go anytime soon, you understand… But – I have an e-mail written and all they have to do is ‘fill in the blanks’.
I’ve also a list typed up and printed, sitting in the front of the file drawer, with everything they need to know and do, account numbers, phone calls to be made, where the gold is buried, etc… and what my wishes are. It gets updated periodically.
Sfmarty,I feel for you.I am going through a divorce as some people have read when I comment here on it occassionally.2 nights ago my almost ex.was stopped by the police from committing suicide.As a result,everyone is blaming me.But i have no control on what he does.It is an awful thing to do to your friends and family who are left wondering….. why?
Yes, this is a new world we write in, but I have had several friends fade away graciously here. One actually told us what she was doing and wrote almost to the end. Another, Blather, whose journal is still up as a memorium on OD, didn’t plan on dieing and wrote up to the last day
My G has my password and would post something if I disappear. Great topic.
On an easier note I’d like to say how much I appreciate it, no, love it, that you John are always announcing your breaks. It’s a relieve to know what’s happening! So, thanks!
I keep thinking that I should make some kind of arrangement — just in case I accidentally stepped out in front of a bus someday — but so far I have failed to carry through on that thought. *sigh*
I suppose we should do something about updating our wills. They were last updated about twenty years ago and talk about guardians for our minor children. Since “baby” Jeremy will celebrate his quarter century birthday this coming May, our wills would seem to be a bit out of date.
Yes. To what John and you all said in here. I agree. I am guilty of the going off and not notifying… John, you are so good about that. I guess if I posted more often, I’d feel more obligated. I do have a good friend who would let the world know if I kicked off suddenly (right, PB?) but, still, firm arrangements to do so is a really good idea and one that web-friends need to talk about.