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| The cover of Pete's book, from his blog |
I was just minding my own business today when the doorbell rang. The UPS guy had a package for me, but I wasn't expecting anything. I looked at who sent it, and it simply said, "Sharedbook." Hmmm. He asked if I wanted to take it or reject it. Hmmm. "Well, it doesn't say I owe anything, so I'll accept it." I opened it, puzzled, and inside was a 200+-page book, called "
Out of My Multiple Minds." A book created from my late brother-in-law Pete's blog, sent to me by Allison!
There's more to the story: when I visited my niece Allison (Norma Jean's daughter) in August 2010, to get introduced to the newest Stewart family member, Allison's two-month-old daughter Lexie, the four of us were together for a concentrated family visit. I tried to talk Pete into starting a blog, since his COPD was well advanced and the prospects for him to reach a ripe old age were diminishing. He resisted mightily. But after he returned home, he did start one, and his prolific, interesting posts covered a period from early September 2010 until he died in February 2011. Not a long time, but enough for him to have created a wonderful body of work.
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| Random pages from the book |
Well, Norma Jean and her son Peter decided to research how one might turn a blog into a book, and they found
Blog2Print, which helped them create this wonderful book. Allison sent me the one I received today, with the note, "
This is because I know you loved him as much as we did. --Allison" Needless to say, I pored over the entire book, cried mightily more than once, and am writing this post to deliver a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who helped it come to fruition. And a special thanks to Allison for including me. Norma Jean had sent me a link to the draft, and I was hesitant to spend close to $100 for something that might not be worth it, but I have to say that this book is actually priceless.
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| Back cover |
If there is an afterlife, I truly hope that Pete was hovering as I made my way through the pages, crying tears of happiness AND sadness, and simply being grateful that I was a part of his life for decades, a truly unique individual and my brother-in-law. And what a family! The Stewart clan is a great place to belong, trust me.
:-)
How absolutely wonderful. I am so glad that this book was born - and enriched your day as he enriched your life.
ReplyDeletehow very touching. he lives on...
ReplyDeletehow very touching. he lives on...
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift! I know he was very special to you! I am using blurb, eventually I will have a few books too:)
ReplyDeleteoh that is so cool...i bet it was like visiting him again to look back through all those old posts...that is def a gift that will keep on giving every time you revisit it....
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I followed Pete's blog. It was a fascinating intense story. I'm glad they made it into a blog. Pete had a great story to tell.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to share his beautiful life.
ReplyDeleteSo very special, just like Pete.
Priceless.
~Jo
From blog to book - what a wonderful thing. And what a beautiful surprise at your door.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift. And you got the ball rolling by coaxing him to create the blog, so you've given a gift to the others in the family as well. Now it's come back to you.
ReplyDeleteThe departed speak to us through technology:that sure seems to be a part of this. Incredible.
ReplyDeleteOh DJan, what a wonderful surprise. It was so sweet of Allison to send you a copy. Pete may be gone but his memory will live on in your heart.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to remember your brother-in-law.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is simply incredible, DJan. I can imagine smiling and crying while going through that book.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great gift, and all the better because it was unexpected.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing gift and how fortunate that he took your advice and started a blog. Now his thoughts are recorded forever. A pure treasure.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful...such a touch of the heart from the gift, and you sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteHow fabulous! I must admit I teared up reading this post. What a beautiful gift.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an amazing gift, DJan. It's so wonderful that some of his spirit is captured in this beautiful book. How terrific that you encouraged him to start the blog.
ReplyDeleteThe book was simply a wonderful idea and a true family treasure. How wonderful that you can browse through the pages and relive those special posts.
ReplyDeleteYes, what a wonderful thing to do.
ReplyDeleteDJan, so glad you mentioned this gift. It had the domino effect on me. I had cancelled a website last Fall that I'd written on for over 10 years (I got frustrated when there was a virus prob and I couldn't get to my site and couldn't get any help). But I regretted losing all those writings. Your mentioning your friend's blogbook made me get in touch with my old carrier site and luckily all my info is still there - not lost in cyberspace. I'm so pleased. Thank you for sharing. You never know how your words affect someone.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing gift. You have a very special niece. What could be better than a gift of fond memories?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thing to do, and such a great idea for a blog whose writer has passed on. You were definitely an inspiration so I'm glad they included you in the recipient's list.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness you accepted the parcel!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gem of work both by your BIL and those who saw fit to create the book. As you describe yourself reading it full of emotions I am blown away by your words. Precious:)