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50th Wedding Anniversary

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes, 59 seconds
Jan Lilien and Richard Brown, Wedding Day, August 9, 1975

Jan Lilien and Richard Brown, Wedding Day, August 9, 1975

Lessons Grief Taught Me!

How have I managed my grief? In the immediate aftermath, I felt uncertain about how to move forward or even if I wanted to do so. During one of my morning walks, I remembered one of the most important blessings God has given us – ears to listen, arms to embrace, and feet to walk into the future. Once I realized this eternal truth, I was able to walk into the unknown future boldly. Your spirit was always with me, every step of the way.

I have read many books that have helped me, and I wish we could discuss them. Some were humorous, like Aftermirth by Hillary Jordan; others focused on accepting the end of life, such as Being Mortal by Atul Gawande; some explored meaning and purpose, like Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl; and others reevaluated faith, including Judaism Is About Love by Rabbi Shai Held.

Earlier this year, I read The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Heal Our Hearts and Mend Our Broken World by Rabbi Sharon Brous. I had the opportunity to meet her and share how, through persistence, I managed to navigate the turbulent waters of grief, one step at a time.

Her book reminded me that faith, love, and compassion can create a bridge over these troubled waters. There has always been a foundation to help us cope with loss; we need to embrace the ancient wisdom available to us.

Rabbi Sharon Brous
Rabbi Sharon Brous and Me

One of the lessons I learned is that by paying forward the incredible love you shared with me, a beautiful ripple effect has been created—spreading joy and compassion to everyone in my life. Each small act of kindness not only warms hearts but also strengthens our connections; this love reverberates back to me, becoming stronger as I continue to share your love. I am deeply grateful for the love and support I’ve received.

By paying forward the incredible love you shared with me, I’ve created a beautiful ripple effect—spreading joy and compassion to everyone in my life. Each small act of kindness not only warms hearts but also strengthens our connections; this love reverberates back to me, becoming stronger as I continue to share your spirit. I am deeply grateful for the love and support I’ve received.

Lovers forever

My love, the well of love you gave me is limitless—an endless source of light that empowers me to uplift both myself and others. My journey through grief has taught me the importance of both laughter and tears. I live alone, but I am not lonely. I’ve learned to embrace every moment and, just as you encouraged me during our last conversation, to remain open to the possibility of loving deeply again.

While I am confident that I can love again, I am not sure anyone except you can love me. However, by sharing your love, I have become a better person.

Tonight, as the sun sets, I will recall our wedding and the vows we shared. All we ever needed was love—true love! It’s the most powerful force in the world—a force that can heal, uplift, and give us our only hope for salvation.

Being your husband was the most incredible honor of my life. Thank you for loving me despite my flaws.

With all my love, Amen.

Richard

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How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder

Read: January 2026

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How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder

by Nina McConigley

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a)    a vivid portrait of an extended family
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c)    a playful ode to the 80s
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Nina McConigley is the author of the story collection Cowboys and East Indians, which won the PEN Open Book Award and the High Plains Book Award. She has received grants and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Radcliffe Institute, the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, the Vermont Studio Center, and the Sewanee Writers’ Conference.

McConigley was awarded the Wyoming Arts Council’s Frank Nelson Doubleday Memorial Writing Award and was a finalist for a National Magazine Award for her columns in High Country News. Her work has appeared in several prominent publications, including The New York Times, Orion, O: The Oprah Magazine, and The Virginia Quarterly Review.

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Read: September 2024

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The Corrections: A Novel

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Read: November 2021

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Conjure Women: A Novel

by Afia Atakora

Conjure Women by Afia Atakora is about a mother and her daughter with a shared talent for healing—and for the conjuring of curses — at the heart of this dazzling first novel. Conjure Women takes place before, during, and after the Civil War. The book is structured around three-time frames; Slaverytime, Freddomtime, and Wartime.

Having grown up in the South and heard far too many stories about the Lost Cause, it was a joy to read a book narrated by two African-American women. The third leading character is the daughter o the owner of the plantation. At the end of the war, she was hidden away for six years and was unaware the South had surrendered.

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Conjure Women also raises questions about the meaning of freedom. For example, Rue chooses not to leave the former plantation after the Klan attacks despite being free.

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Read: July 2022

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by Audrey Blake

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The Goodreads summary provides an overview.

Under constant scrutiny, Nora’s successes are taken for granted; her mistakes used as proof that women aren’t suited to the field.

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