I don’t know how to lead into this smoothly, so I’ll just get to the bare facts.
This Thursday, my wife of 20 years will be going into the hospital for surgery. Unfortunately, it will not be the kind of operation which will permit her a brief hospital stay. Even after she comes home, I will be busy doing my best to care for her. As for the nature of her condition, I’d prefer to keep that private. I only mention it at all, to explain why my time here will be limited over the next several weeks.
Just to be clear, I’m not leaving Booman Tribune. This isn’t a goodbye, but hopefully only a brief (and partial) hiatus. If all goes well, I hope to be posting here intermittently, when my other responsibilities permit. However, I thought it only appropriate to let people know in advance of my expected absence.
I know BooMan is working hard on finding additional front page posters who will bring their own talent and a fresh perspective to the front page. I hope that whomever he finds receives as warm a welcome as I have from this wonderful community. In the meantime, please bear with BooMan and the others who post to the front page (Chris, Albert, Geov Parrish, Howie, Larry Johnson, jpol and our friends from European Tribune, Jerome and Colman), as their burden will increase, as my role diminishes over the next month or so.
I would also like to say that the true strength of this site is this community’s diarists, readers and commenters who participate in our discussions here. My absence will have no effect on that continuing dialogue. I am always amazed at how many insightful and talented people have chosen to post here, as the quality of the diaries, and the comment threads they generate, attest.
I will be checking in and reading your diaries even when I don’t have time to post myself, and I encourage any new readers and lurkers here to take the time to check out those discussions. I think you will soon find that it isn’t the front page that drives debate at Booman Tribune, but the community of activists and politically aware individuals that share their thoughts, visions and passions here everyday.
Thank you all.
Steven D
Your priorities are correct – best of luck to your wife.
No Steven, thank you.
Fwiw, you top my list of favorites, wherever I happen to read. Just saying. I hope that your wife’s time in the hospital will be as brief as possible and that the outcome is what you hope for. My deepest respect and best wishes for your wife, for you, and for your family. Your return here will be anticipated with caring and admiration.
Peace
I’ll very gladly second what super said. You might not know it from my infrequent posting on your diaries but I read every single thing you write.
I am sending you and your wife my best wishes as one who has just recovered from an extended hospital stay.
Prayers for your wife and her speedy recovery.
This blog and others were my “lifeline” to what was happening in the world for the past 6 months.
May you feel the loving support of the angels that are with both of you at all times.
Steven D, you will be missed! Sure, the conversations will go on, but we will feel the lack of your insight and intelligence.
Sending prayers, hugs, good wishes to you and your wife. Speedy recovery!!!!
You’ll be in our thoughts and hearts and we look forward to your return.
I hope your wife’s time in hospital is as brief and painless as possible. I hope this time passes quickly for you too. Recently my young daughter spent a period in hospital and I discovered it is very important to take care of yourself as well as the patient. So take care, both of you.
See you soon.
All the best to you both (((Steven))) You will be missed.
Just remember, when you hear the frogs singing – you are not alone.
Just wanted to add my very best wishes.
Jeff
to you and your family, Steven…
I wish you strength and will hope for the very best outcome. When in a similar position as yours a friend suggested I get a copy of Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s North To The Orient, which I did and now i recommend it every chance I get. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s her story of when she and Charles Lindbergh packed up his little plane in the ’20’s and solo’d up to and across Canada, Russian frontier, China. It’s a mini moment of intimate adventure of just two people against the elements and somehow it helps. God Bless.
and especially will be sending healing vibes this Thursday for you wife.
We will miss your insightful diaries but I look forward to more after a speedy recovery by your wife.
Speedy and full recovery to your better-half Steven D. Best.
I sincerely wish a complete and speedy recovery.
Best of luck to your wife (and yourself) Steven, and hopes of a speedy and full recovery.
We’ll keep the light on for you 😉
Our thoughts will be with you and your wife this Thursday and during her recovery.
Steven, I’m sorry to hear this and hope that everything goes well.
All the best Steven. Warm wishes to you and your wife. We’ll be here when you get back.
Same here.
I hope everything goes smoothly and I’m looking forward to your return.
(((Steven)))
Steven, please convey my best wishes to your wife. You’ll both get through this I’m sure. As for all of us here, things will go on and we’ll eargerly await your return.
May you both be home ASAP, and find speedy recovery.
All the best to you and your wife, Steven. I, as well, will miss your insights and great writing, and will be looking forward to your return. However, in the meantime, you must attend to your personal priorities first so that should take full precedence for you.
We’ll all be here for you when you return, so take the time to do the things you need to do and know that you will be welcomed back with great joy when the time comes.
Take care Steven. I know your wife is going to be in more than capable hands (yours, of course!)….
Best wishes to you and your wife, Steven. May her surgery go well, may her recovery be swift and smooth, and may you all come out on the other side of this in good condition. I’ll really miss your posts–you are so steady and smart–and it’ll be nice to see you comment now and then just so we know you’re around.
good luck to you and your wife steven…i will keep a good thought for you both and will really miss your writings.
im about to drive to my surgeons office to get a surgery date for an unwelcome and unexpected surgery i have to have soon…im pissed….i usually have months to plan these things….i usually feel very in control of the situation…i really wanted my next surgery to be a boob job dammit….now i have to wait again….and go thru the summer with surgical wounds so i wont be able to go swimming….this weekend im going to get all the swimming and fun i possibly can knowing its all im gonna get for a while….but isnt that how we should all be living? like it can all end tomorrow?
yesterday i read asia carrera’s online journal http://www.asiacarrera.com/bulletin.html (she was pretty much the first asian superpornstar)…her husband died suddenly in a car accident a few weeks ago…she has a one year old and is 8 months pregnant…and her pain is just heartbreaking….just another reminder to me to really be grateful for what i have cause it could be worse or over tomorrow….i should be damn grateful too….i have incredibly good health insurance thanks to my husband and his generous offer to keep me insured for a few more years even though we arent together anymore….i am determined to have a good attitude (after i have my little temper tantrum of course) and have fun now because tomorrow i could be hit by a bus….or worse…someone i love might be.
how can we convince susanhu to come back?
Best to you too, anna. You always make me smile. 🙂
Best wishes to you, too, Anna. Hope all goes well.
And I certainly second your request for Susan Hu to return.
I’m so sorry to hear that. Best wishes for a good resolution and a swift recovery, Anna.
Best of wishes to you, anna!
Hope it’s quick and painless. Good luck and best wishes anna.
Best wishes to you both Steven.
Peace to you and your family, Steven. Thanks for your great contributions here, I always learn and grow from reading your posts. Paz
((((((Steven))))))
I don’t even feel qualified to say this, but you’ve been a wonderful contributor to the community here, and I’m sure we all look forward to your return. Your wife and family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Steven,
My best wishes to you and your wife. I hope everything goes as smoothly as possible and that her recovery is a gentle one. I hope as you are there to support her and take care of her that you find a little time for yourself now and again, because you will need to take care of yourself as well.
Anna, my best wishes to you as well – next summer, you’ll just have to make up for it by doubling your beach time!
Best,
Lisa
Take care of your wife.
Steve,
You’ve made wonderful contributions here. Come back when you are ready, but not before. Family always comes first. Best to you and God’s speed to you wife.
StevenD —
Please take care of yourself as well as your wife. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
There really isn’t much more that I can say……
I will miss your solid, trustworthy voice, and as someone who has had a similar role to fufill more once, my heart is with yours, and your wifes. Take very good care of yourself, as well as your wife, and may all roads lead to positive outcome for you both.
This is what I love about liberals…they have their priorities straight! Seriously, Steven, know that my thoughts are with you and your lovely wife. My wish for you both is an easy surgery and speedy recovery. Take all the time you need. We all will be here waiting for your return. Namaste my friend.
Best wishes for your wife. And for you, too – don’t forget to take care of yourself in the midst of your increased caregiving.
And also, thank you for your kind and succinct expression of support for the diarists and commenters here.
And best wishes for a speedy recovery.
<inappropriate snark>
Maybe we can get Howie Kurtz in here to fill us in on the medical details
</inappropriate snark>
Seriously, though, I know it is emotionally difficult work tending a sick loved one, and I wish you strength and humor throughout.
Much as I enjoy reading your posts, taking care of your family has to be the top priority. I’ll miss you, and will be glad to see you when you make it back.
Cheers and best wishes.
Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Take care of you and yours.
Best wishes to you and your wife at this difficult time. We look forward to when she’s rcovered enough for you to get back into the swim of things at the pond. Take Care.
The Diaries on Booman Tribute are great, but yours have always been the ones I read first and I would have recommended just about every one if they weren’t on the front page. I hope everything turns out ok, and wish/pray for your family’s health and happiness.
Steven D, I know that your wife and you both have a great support group in all of us here and your family of the world of which you evolve. You are loved and revered as should be here; however your wife is the most precious you have in your world and you must attend to her. My prayers and love go to you both for a speedy recovery and for sharing the love for each other that I do know you both have, which your greatest strength. hugs to you both……..
Steven, thank you so much for all you have and will continue to do here. I will say a prayer for your wife. I hope all works out in the best possible way.
All my prayers for your wife’s recovery.
to you and your wife Steven. Take care of you both.
Sending warm, loving thoughts to your wife, yourself and your family. You will be missed greatly … {{{Steven and family}}}
Hope your wife will be well again soon. My best wishes for both of you.
Sending my best wishes for a successful and speedy recovery. Your priorities are in the proper place, and I look forward to your return.
Peace and Blessings
As you can see, you and your wife will have a lot of good vibes to help you through. I add mine. I look forward to your return, and your wife’s good health. But cherish this time as well. It may be painful at times but it will be full. “All that is or was or will ever be is right here in this moment! Now!”
I ‘m a little late but I will IBID what the posters above said and wish you luck
I love your posts and I will miss ya
Steven – holding you and yours in my heart-thoughts.
I wanted to add my appreciation for your writings – your compassion and humanity, your thoughtfulness, and your humor shine through – thank you.
Steven: You will be missed. Our thoughts and best wishes to you and your wife. I sincerely hope her recovery is complete and rapid. Do what you need to now, and we will be thinking about the both of you often in the days ahead. Take care, and hope to see you back soon.
…and for all who will help with her care and recovery.
Healing and Light
You will both be in my thoughts!
I wish your wife an uneventful procedure, and a hale and hearty recovery.
Now as for you …
… as someone who was once the caregiver for someone I love dearly who survived cancer and cancer treatment, take this piece of advice. Remember how important it is to take care of yourself too. Remember to take a moment to recharge. Remember that your strength needs to be maintained so you have it to give in abundance. Don’t be afraid to find a friend or family to lean on when you need to. Remember that you are a vital part of her recovery, and you can’t do that if you aren’t taking care of yourself. Helping someone through treatment and recovery can catch up with you without warning. Keep a strong support network nearby to help you catch your breath when you need it. It was a hard lesson that I had to learn, and like everything else I do, I learned it the hard way.
Best wishes and hope for you and your lady love.
You’re doing the right thing, Steven, but we’ll miss you while you’re away. Sending good thoughts and hopes for a speedy recovery for Mrs. D.
I’d like to join everyone here in offering both you & your wife my best wishes.
I’m very certain you’ll be sorely missed around here during your absence.
Here’s to an easy & speedy recovery for your wife – give her some hot chicken soup & some cold chocolate ice cream, in the right proportions, & she’ll be feeling better in no time.
🙂