486 Comments
User's avatar
Jeff Tiedrich's avatar

full disclosure: Ms Spouse is not the baby in that photo from the 1950s. she’s the five-year-old girl standing next to her baby brother, who is being held by her mother. alas, I do not have any photos of Claudia as a baby.

Joan Serkin's avatar

Jeff, how beautiful, we should all have that kind of devotion with their life partner. I can feel how much you miss Claudia

kdsherpa's avatar
3hEdited

When I saw that picture, I immediately thought, "WHO is that adorable little girl cuddling Claudia?" I love that the adorable little girl was Claudia. Better than a baby picture. Your eulogy was beautiful. You and Claudia were truly blessed.

DebJS's avatar

I agree, the little girl and her mom were exceptionally beautiful.

Linda Weide's avatar

I thought that little girl in the photo looked like her. Both she and the baby are totally cute. I love all of the pictures, and that yours was a love story for the ages. I am so happy that you had each other. I am glad you have your daughter to remind you that Claudia still exists in the world through her and now your granddaughter. I can only imagine how painful the loss must be. She is part of who you have become so we get to appreciate her in your writing as you speak truth to power with humor and righteous indignation. Thank you, Jeff. You are a household name in my family.

Mateo gee's avatar

That is such a cool photo. I love old black and whites. Back when photography was more precious than it is now.

LindaSRW's avatar

I so agree with you 100% regarding photography. I studied professional photography almost 40 years ago, before digital photography was born. And A.I. photos (and videos!) really annoy me to no end. Regards.

Michelle Togut's avatar

I hate AI photos with a passion.

Patrick Daniels aka Cromulent1's avatar

I feel the same Linda…. Understanding light temperatures, a plethora of different films characteristics, how to manipulate speeds and development techniques. Then, all the times in the darkroom processing… watching the creations appear, be it Ciba, Mono, or Kodachrome . The varieties film types were many, how each could be used, created and processed in multiple formats were many. I truly miss the joy of shooting Infared, Recording, along with Pan and Tri-x, pushing and pulling exposures! Everyone with a phone, or automatic exposure camera is now a photographer….understanding how images were once captured and created is lost art.

Ruth Ross's avatar

Oh Jeff, this sounds so similar to when I met my husband. By the end of our first date, I knew I was going to marry him. And precisely 57 days later, that's just what we did. 38 years, 6 months, and 1 week later (but who's counting?) I lost the loveliest person I've ever known to cancer. I know just what you're dealing with, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Maria 🇮🇪's avatar

Ruth Sorry for your tragic loss💔

Ruth Ross's avatar

Aw, thank you. I wasn't looking for sympathy, though, just wanting to let Jeff know that I understand completely what he's dealing with. And it's normal. Painful, but normal. But it was kind of you.

Stephen Brady's avatar

Jeff - that was an amazing word picture of your love! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Scott Gilbert's avatar

I have nothing to add, but I echo the sentiments of everyone here.

verne's avatar

oh dear jeff, a profoundly beautiful tribute. sending big hugs through a river of tears...

Shegirlagain's avatar

I love that part in the eulogy about the stupid pointless arguments. My husband and I had them occasionally. Usually it was when both of us were stressed tired and just needed a nap, lol. I don’t think we fully outgrow our tired toddler tantrums. I missed the conversations we had after so many years you form a communal brain you can finish each other‘s sentences. When they are go, it’s almost like your Siamese twin has died and you are dragging the other one around(well the dragging part is the first year or two until it becomes more bearable) that can’t respond. We carry our partner with us. Their memories, observations, likes and dislikes. The best part was the absurd humor and in jokes is only the two of us would get a laugh out of. I miss that. His reply to my plans of what needs to be done of “let’s not and say we did”.. after a while to his amusement I adapted that phrase…and others. Appreciate your social commentary… even going through this difficult time but she would probably want you to do that. We all need your profanely on point commentary right now and appreciate it

Ken Hittel's avatar

Yes, this reminded me immediately of a great scene in The Best Years of Our Lives. Myrna Loy to Frederick March: '"We never had any trouble." How many times have I told you I hated you and believed it in my heart? How many times have you said you were sick and tired of me, that we were all washed up? How many times have we had to fall in love all over again?" And always did, just as Jeff and Claudia always did.

Susan Keefer's avatar

Absolutely beautiful, Jeff. She will always be with you.

Marc Wallace's avatar

JEFF: Wonderful to see this lovely tribute to Claudia. With your permission, I'd like to create and post a memorial page for here on this site: https://www.findagrave.com

where I have similar pages for all of my & my wife's family, & our friends.

It can merely consist of the content & photos you posted here today.

If you consent, I just need to follow-up with few questions.

Or you can certainly just create the page yourself.

Thanks so much for sharing your loving story today!

Donna Woods's avatar

Thank you for sharing Claudia with us. She was a wonderful human! I hope you will take that exotic vacation she was planning for you this year, in her memory.

Karen Jenkins's avatar

Very enjoyable…weird question but how are Claudia’s plants doing?

Terry's avatar

You two were a beautiful couple, both young and throughout the years.

Thank you for sharing your eulogy with us. It was really beautiful, just like the love of your life ❣️

Sharon Genung's avatar

What a lovely eulogy. ❤️

TediZ's avatar

This is such a beautiful tribute to your Claudia. Thank you for sharing her, and therefore your, story. 🥰🥰

Jeff Tiedrich's avatar

today in Shit That Happened While I Was Busy Posting This Shit—

"UFC to pay White House fighters in crypto issued by Trump company"

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/14/white-house-ufc-fighters-crypto

oh my god, the corruption never ends.

Wendy The Druid 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🌈's avatar

Jeff I am bereft in tears reading this. All lives should be a life less ordinary and beautiful. Thank you for sharing this moment

Ellyn's avatar

Yes. Me too. 😢

Nancy Pat's avatar

So, they're being paid in Monopoly money. Sounds about right.

Joyce's avatar

Totally fitting for the occasion.

Anastasia Pantsios's avatar

Stories like this are why we need to read about people like Claudia and to celebrate them so don't become totally cynical.

Ellyn's avatar

May all of them get exactly what Lady Karma the loan shark blesses them with. 😁

Mary Hall's avatar

Karma’s only a bitch if you are.

Colleen Fraser's avatar

Thank you for sharing Claudia with us ❤️.

Elizabeth M. (Massachusetts)'s avatar

Ha! With any luck, those crypto chips from the Trump Casino (motto: “What—me rip you off?”) will be worthless when the beefcakes in tiny trunks go to cash them out.

Polly Sears's avatar

Just heard that T has requested doctors from Walter Reed to be available to tend to people at his "party".

HI2thDoc's avatar

On our dime. An event for himself and we pay for it.

Bart Dickens's avatar

And no one here is surprised are they?

T L Mills's avatar

What he really means is that those docs need to be there to tend HIM, (just in case)... Because since when has he ever shown any such consideration for anyone beyond himself?

HI2thDoc's avatar

He has no regard for anyone else. Absolutely none

Richard Von Busack's avatar

How's the weather? I hope it's a violent thunderstorm.

kdsherpa's avatar
3hEdited

(shit that happened, yes; but don't call what you posted "shit")

Kay-El's avatar

1. Which won’t be worth jack shit in the near future

2. Lovely eulogy. Thank you for sharing.

Susan P Thatcher's avatar

Us peasants can watch on Paramount Plus for $8.99. I'm going to be curious how much they collect.

Natalia Lincoln's avatar

I hope it does just as well as “Melania: Puttin’ the Trump in ‘Strumpet’” or whatever the hell they called it.

Pam Humphrey's avatar

Perfect! Wish I’d said that.

Natalia Lincoln's avatar

May the Snark be with us all, always!

Michelle Togut's avatar

So basically they're paying these "warriors" with worthless trump crypto crap. Perfectly in keeping with trump's talent for screwing over anybody who works for him.

Kim Steeves's avatar

Not sure if I'm understanding it or not, but looked up Idiot's crypto and it's priced at $2.00 per ?!?

https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/official-trump/

Michelle Togut's avatar

I'm not particularly savvy about crypto either but, from what I've read about trump's crypto, the only folks who made money off it were trump and his cronies. Everyone else lost bigly.

Betsy's avatar

Good lord, we are assaulted with it every day

Lairbo's avatar

I wonder if they knew that beforehand.

Daniel M Kimmel's avatar

If it happens. As of Noontime forecast still calls for DC thunderstorms.

Patrick Daniels aka Cromulent1's avatar

Never will apparently Jeff… beautiful eulogy for a woman you’ve loved, cherished and will forever be held in your heart!

Richard Von Busack's avatar

ha ha ha ha suckers!

James Williams Jr's avatar

Jeff, as a former widower, this is one of the best memories I have ever read man. I cried because it brought up my late wife and the stories within. God bless you brother. Keep the faith.

Diana's avatar

You’re absolutely right James-amazing to see and experience. I too had a second marriage and it’s been great 😊 we’re both just so blessed ‼️

Holly Lebed's avatar

Thank you for sharing your love story with us, Jeff. I wish I’d known Claudia. She sounds like she was an incredible woman. May her memory forever be a blessing. 🩵🙏🏻🕊️🕯️🌈🌟💫

George A. Polisner's avatar

Thank you for sharing with us Jeff.

Someone leading Claudia to you for the introduction made all of us better people. Claudia challenged you to be a better writer, those pointless arguments helped refine your insights, her courage inspired and evolved you as a writer, and we, your readers, are beneficiaries when you go on an truth and adjective-fueled rant about the American freefall of now.

I wish we could provide some powerful words to support you through your grieving. Your loving writing of Claudia and your life together helps to understand the scope of your loss and sadness. It takes courage to share it with us -and I am very grateful for you.

Diana's avatar

Gees- well said George! 🥲

George A. Polisner's avatar

Thank you Diana. It was typed through tears that Jeff's beautiful words about Claudia and their life together provoked.

HI2thDoc's avatar

We are the music makers,

And we are the dreamers of dreams,

Wandering by lone sea breakers,

And sitting by desolate streams,

World-losers and world-forsakers,

On whom the pale moon gleams,

Yet we are the movers and shakers

Of the world forever, it seems

-Arthur O'Shaughnessy

Joyce's avatar

Perfectly stated. Thank you for putting into words what I felt, too, as I read the eulogy.

Ann Anderson's avatar

Lovely tribute to a lovely person and a life well-lived. Best wishes to you always, Jeff.

Escapades by Elaine Soloway's avatar

Thank you for giving us the honor of reading your eulogy. May Claudia's memory be for a blessing.

Tammy Hawkins's avatar

Beautiful. You were both blessed! And I didn’t know you worked at High times! 🫂

Ellyn's avatar

Me either! An extra layer of awesome!!! 💕

Douglas Mackay's avatar

Justly simple and profound. Love is a sneaky SOB. And love is enduring. Only those who are fortunate enough get to experience what you describe, two people meant to be together and meant to make each life better. Thank you for sharing.

Paul Jonasse's avatar

Thanks for sharing this, Jeff. I am guessing that your daily sharing is both celebratory and cathartic. I hope that you continue to do so. Thanks for all that you do!

JsuttraL's avatar

Quite a beautiful eulogy.

Paul D Johnson's avatar

Very sweet tribute to Claudia, it sounds like she was an amazing human; how fortunate that you found each other. Hope these wonderful memories are consolation to you Jeff.

Anti fascist's avatar

This brought tears to my eyes. Just beautiful. Sending you love from Philly area.

Carol Moore's avatar

What a privilege it is to be invited in to your world like this, Jeff. So often the internet makes us feel isolated from one another, but in this case, in your case, you bring us together by sharing your love, and your grief, with us. That is a rare and beautiful thing. I think your Claudia would approve.

Jennifer Wirth's avatar

Thank you for sharing. You are truly lucky to have experienced such a love. It’s nice to cry over something so beautiful

Flower Child's avatar

God dammit Jeff that was fucking beautiful. 😭😭😭