• Shawn and Marjorie Brimley at their wedding in Oregon
    Missing Shawn

    Where Should We Begin?

    Right now, I’m obsessed with the podcast “Where Should We Begin?” by Esther Perel.  The host is a couples therapist, and the podcast is basically her sitting down with a couple and discussing whatever is going on in their marriage.  I stumbled upon it after listening to Perel on the podcast “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” which is hosted by the Hot Young Widows Club founder, Nora McInerny.  So, oddly, I have spent now countless hours listening to a podcast about couples because of a connection I have through one of my spousal loss groups. In any case, I love Perel’s podcast.  I’ve listened to couples dealing with infidelity, couples who…

  • Marjorie and Shawn Brimley dancing at wedding in Washington DC
    Missing Shawn

    “You look hot, by the way”

    Two days before he died, Shawn was up at night, sick from chemotherapy and the cancer that was racking his body. It was about 2 am, and I stumbled out of bed in just a tank top and underwear, rushing to get him a towel to help him wash his face. He could barely walk, but he had managed to get himself to the bathroom without my help, and I was just standing there, trying to figure out what was the best thing for him. “What can I do for you?” I asked him. “Nothing,” he said. He paused.  Then he turned and looked at me and said, “you look…