257 Comments
User's avatar
Jeff Tiedrich's avatar

let me once more repeat my comment from previous days off, "by the way, I am very aware of how lucky and privileged I am. most people do not have a hundred thousand or more people who care about them. that has to make a difference in the grieving process. so, once again, thank you. I love you all"

RZolu's avatar

Claudia was beautiful inside and out. Can’t imagine how awful it must be for you to wake up every day and not have her there with you. Sad anniversary.

Do appreciate the Donny loathing…she would be proud you’re still at it.

Joyce's avatar

You have phrased it all exactly and perfectly.

Anne's avatar

those last two photos - heartwarming, and heartbreaking. A lovely woman, and such a loving relationship. You were a lucky man.

Robin D's avatar

I wrote the same. The pictures were a beautiful bookend of her life. I was writing after the 4th comment but by the time I hit reply there were well over 125.

SethTriggs's avatar

Still wishing you comfort. I am glad you are finding solace in your writing.

P123Sunny's avatar

Went through something similar - and the ‘routine’ was the only thing that got me through it… running on fumes tho :/

Ransom Rideout's avatar

Those eyes. They stopped you dead in your tracks. How could they not. Thank you for sharing your life with us Jeff. You know we love you too.

Kristin Bee's avatar

We are lucky and privileged to have writers like you (and HCR) who write for us every day. Even on your days off.

When you share about your love with Claudia, it gives me hope. Not in finding "the one", I think that is reserved for the few, but hope that living isn't meaningless and that there is some intention or purpose or reason for humanity. I'm not religious, but it is hard to face a day in this time if there's no mystery to cling to.

michellefromchicago's avatar

😢🤗 We’re here for you as you grieve, Jeff.

Kate Snow's avatar

So glad you are taking your own advice to practice self-care and doing what you need to do!

BigDaddy52's avatar

'Adrift and unmoored.' Exactly.

Cheri Collins's avatar

🫂🫂🫂❤️❤️❤️

Butters's avatar

What lovely photos. We are glad you and your dark humor still chugging away.

Cindi Lynch's avatar

Please let us know if there’s anything else we can do for you. And never doubt how much you mean to all of us!

Jean Jacoby's avatar

You make us laugh at the horror the horror that is our government, while also embracing righteous anger at what has happened to this country--well, there is actually a long history that lead us here, but that's for another tirade. I always feel a little better after reading your posts and all the comments that result. I for one feel privileged to have this experience.

Bob's avatar

The first photo is a wonderful portrait.

Kelley Rozo's avatar

Thank YOU, Jeff! ❤️

Beth Bohon's avatar

You help us every single day Jeff, by making us chuckle at the absurdity and making us aware of what the useless press will not do or say. You deserve every day of rest that you need. I miss her too, yet I never met her. That’s her superpower. Take care of you, friend. ❤️❤️

Chris Ortolano's avatar

I grew up in the village, and know MacDougal St. well. Chances are fair that I was not far from you when you took that picture. Wishing I could have known you guys back then. ❤️

Nancy Gonzalez's avatar

Take your time, Jeff. We’ll all be patiently waiting. Much comfort be yours. ❤️

Michelle Kenoyer's avatar

Agreed. We're always here for you, Jeff. As you note in your daily closing notes, take care of yourself and be kind to yourself, too. 💗

Pam English's avatar

I am so sorry for your loss of your love, Claudia and for your sadness.

Karen Hall's avatar

All the painful firsts … first six months … first birthdays … I get it. Going through it too. My heart hurts for yours, and anyone else who has to navigate solo after a long journey as a couple.

Take your day(s) off, knowing we’ll be here waiting for you, with tons of support and love.

Robin D's avatar

Yes...every first is so painful. Sorry for your loss too.🙏😥

Susan Niemann's avatar

It's a privilege for all of us that you share your wonderful partner with us the way you have. Take good care of yourself. We love and apprciate you.

Stephanie Lajeskie's avatar

It’s hard to believe it’s been six months. To you, it probably feels like six years in some ways, and six days in others. However you’re spending your day today, I hope you’re able to find some comfort and peace.

Brodie Stephens's avatar

The tradition of Judaism and Christianity is to “weep with those who weep” to just be present and to share the burden of sadness without “advice”. To respect the process of the grieving man or woman who has suffered loss. You are loved by many.

Dr. Martha Bean's avatar

Hi Jeff. We feel your pain. Grieving isn’t a straight line. You can laugh and cry in the same hour. We all know you and support you.

Mike Hammer's avatar

Glad you are taking time for self healing, Jeff. That people in 47 states have explosive diarrhea is a perfect metaphor for RFK Jr. and how he’s destroying the healthcare system.

Sheila Riley-Callahan's avatar

The very first pix of you and Claudia is so moving and telling of your love for each other. It must be so tough but so glad you found each other.

My favorite line from today is “the only time Nosferatu’s mouth should be moving is when he’s eating bats.” You are a hoot.

Hoping for a peaceful day for you Jeff. Deep breaths. 💞

Joanne Rossmassler Fritz's avatar

That line made me laugh out loud too! Even as he's grieving, Jeff manages to makes us laugh.

Chris Bame's avatar

I could not agree more!!

Beezerbomb's avatar

That was the perfect Nosferatu put down!

Candace Bartsch's avatar

You can share and talk about Ms. Claudia all you want. We are here for you. Here is a virtual hand to hold as needed🫴

SethTriggs's avatar

Mengele-without-a-medical degree finds the concept of "secular trend in reporting" to elude him...as it does all kinds of epistemic closure-afflicted cranks. You absolutely DO find older people of that crank's age, in fact, with autism. But we have the terminology to describe it now. We also actually do things like recognize it in women (where we ignored them before). And in the Good Old Days™ obviously, people who were Too Different were dumped into institutions.

These people are savants at making life every bit more nasty, brutish and short.

Bob's avatar

And that useless snake Miller saying nobody’s studied this? Where did he dig up that gem? His ass? The vaccines have been tested separately and in combination with large groups of kids, who were monitored into their adulthoods. And Bobby Kennedy is so full of shit, with his dismissive attitude that makes want to smack him with a dead whale head.

SethTriggs's avatar

When you are protected by Murc’s Law, you can just say things and people will publish them.

Frank Nuts's avatar

Seth, I always get an education when reading your posts. Thank you!

Sermon on the Seth — may be not make sense grammatically but that’s what I think when I read your posts.

2Cats2Furious's avatar

“But we have the terminology to describe it now.”

It popped into my head that, at least for many folks in the U.S., the 1st time they might have heard the term “autistic” was in the movie Rain Man, released almost 40 years ago in 1988. To put it another way, RFK the Lesser is full of shit.

https://the-art-of-autism.com/a-look-back-at-the-movie-rain-man-and-how-are-views-of-autism-have-changed/

SethTriggs's avatar

A number of people assert that railfans are often undiagnosed autistic, as a lot of autistic people are assumed to enjoy trains. So that may be another thing that caused lightbulbs to go off in some folks’ heads.

Robert Eckert's avatar

Such as RFKJr's aunt Rosemary, who was institutionalized and lobotomized

Susie's avatar

Jeff, you were such a lucky man to have this wonderful woman in your life for 46 years. I’m sure you will miss her for the rest of your life.

Sharing your memories with us your readers is such a beautiful tribute to her. And we are all grateful that we get to share these memories with you

Lisa Bieber's avatar

We love you Jeff.

Ellyn's avatar

Yes!!! This!! 💖💖💖💖💖

Joanne Rossmassler Fritz's avatar

Thank you, Jeff, for sharing your grief with us along with your wonderful photos of Ms. Spouse. You must know that you could take a REAL day off and post nothing at all about the Donnyverse. Just a brief statement about a much-needed mental health day. And we'd all still be here when you get back. You say you are blessed, but YOU'RE the one who has blessed us by creating a genuine community here. We love you.

Brenda Ball's avatar

Everything she said! ☝🏼☝🏼

Blue Witch's avatar

Sincere condolences once again. My heart goes out to you.

Jeff, I am also grieving my spouse but he's still alive, much diminished by advanced Parkinson's, residing in a locked memory care unit. It's very hard to watch a living death. He was a computer genius and Apple developer when he was well and whole. Very painful.

Blessings to all who grieve.

arne link's avatar

So sorry for your troubles. Parkinson's is a terrible thing.

Robin D's avatar

My heart truly breaks for you and I understand. It is the cruelest disease.. I have two friends going through this now with their spouses.. The 5 I knew were all brilliant and accomplished. They need research for this desperately. Much love and strength to you. 🙏😥❤

Mingo's avatar

My mother passed away from Parkinson's ten years ago. She had the associated dementia. She was a retired psychotherapist with two master's degrees specializing in family and marriage counseling. It was difficult to watch the light in her eyes slowly diminish until it was a vacant stare. Adrift and unmoored is how I feel from her death and my spouse's unexpected death twenty years ago. Two people who had the most influence on me, in a good way, left my life. I empathize for you and Jeff also. Grief is a painful road.

Douglas Paul Truhlar's avatar

I had same but mother, worst was the day she didn’t know me at all.

arne link's avatar

My anniversary is tomorrow. We were married for 52 years. I feel so lucky to have had true.love and I know that Jeff understands that. I am currently visiting Spain where we spent many happy days. Love is a gift that never stops giving.

Susan Niemann's avatar

Thinking of you Arne. Never easy. Say hello to Spain for me...I would love to live there.

arne link's avatar

Spain is great. I've not spent time in Portugal. People seem to love it. Maybe next year.

Punkette's avatar

Big hug to you, Arne! ❤️‍🩹

Frank Nuts's avatar

Have a great time in Spain Arne! Long term close relationships are a wonderful thing. I’m glad you had one

Robin D's avatar

Hugs and love to you Arne. Good for you beinf in a,place with happy memories.