tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post5134766342127351575..comments2008-08-27T22:41:10.833+01:00Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-70351850887646234962008-08-27T22:41:00.000+01:002008-08-27T22:41:00.000+01:00John, I have just read this and am so sorry for your loss - and I do hope, now that you've been back in the UK for a few months, Blighty is not quite so strange. If you and Seren ever feel like tramping/exploring the North York Moors, you'd be very welcome to come and stay.Marjoriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12143499864104883745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-92179950769318079072008-04-22T07:45:00.000+01:002008-04-22T07:45:00.000+01:00When I came back to Japan, I was shocked and so sorry to learn of your wife's passing. Sorry, too, to see you leave Japan!<BR/><BR/>Not sure really what to say.<BR/><BR/>My thoughts are with you both.<BR/>annie dcanniedcwww.hereandtherejapan.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-32716040751671632682008-04-08T22:19:00.000+01:002008-04-08T22:19:00.000+01:00Mr. Shelley,<BR/> I too stumbled onto your blog and just could not believe what I was reading. I wish and hope for you and your daughter,the best that life has to offer and that no other such tragedies visit you two again...the lord willing.<BR/>Many Blessings,Flora<BR/>http://boneheadstudio.blogspot.com/Florahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06417865466491233470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-989485606593833982008-02-10T13:46:00.000Z2008-02-10T13:46:00.000ZI'm sorry I did not write to you earlier, but I didn't know if it was appropriate for me to intrude upon your grief. I want to say that I'm terribly sorry for your losses and that the last part about your in-laws brings the last 21 years of your stay here such a bitter ending. I just can't understand why so often things seem to happen like that here in Japan (where I've been now, over a span of 35 years, for 25 years).<BR/><BR/>I am much heartened, and truthfully somewhat bowled over, by both the vigor and hopefulness in your words. You are a strong man! It looks like you're going to make it. I wish you the very best of luck. I'm just sad that I will not be able to meet you much any more, and I truly regret not going to more of the SCWIBAJ gatherings after we met last time. I enjoyed meeting you very much and wanted to get to know you better. Unfortunately I, too, went through a hard year (going through a divorce) and I just didn't have the will to do my writing and illustration.<BR/><BR/>Like you friends and family are what has helped me to get through it all. And I look forward to what this year has to offer. <BR/><BR/>A while back when I went through another tragedy my mother sent me a book that until this day still reverberates, called "When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times" by Pema Chodron, a Buddhist monk in Canada. The book is hard to explain, but it helped put things in perspective in a way that "help" books never do for me. And it is completely unsentimental, which is perhaps why I liked it. It's one of the wisest books I've read.<BR/><BR/>John, take heart and Ganbare! I hope to talk with you again some day.<BR/><BR/>Miguelbutukihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12473964455146342069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-20603569992981088992008-01-24T00:16:00.000Z2008-01-24T00:16:00.000ZIt is good to see you back online and to know that you are surrounded by family and friends in the UK. I have no doubt that you will find wonderful opportunities for your magnificent art!<BR/><BR/>May you have a blessed and Happy 2008.Ginger*:)*http://www.blogger.com/profile/14970160779830842600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-59218967846078578232008-01-22T09:20:00.000Z2008-01-22T09:20:00.000ZAs someone who came across your blog by accident, this was a complete shock to me. Words cannot begin to describe your situation. As a UK expat living in Taiwan - a mixed marriage with a young son - your situation rang a bell for all of us who've been away for a long time. Under Taiwan law if my wife passes away or we divorce I get kicked out straight away as happened to a friend who's wife died of cancer. He had to quickly close their business and sell the apt within a couple of weeks before his visa became null and void. <BR/>Good luck and I wish you well.Tim Buddenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09167612998109504906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-11533801137107509632008-01-15T17:38:00.000Z2008-01-15T17:38:00.000ZJohn, have just found this...times like this words fail me, but I am wishing you strength and hope for 2008.PGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-68500135567727098782008-01-10T01:26:00.000Z2008-01-10T01:26:00.000ZJohn! I just know this year will be better. I am so sorry for your losses, it is heart wrenching! It's good that you are moving forward,even though it is on the scary side. Good luck to you and your little one You know you have two angels that are especially watching over you.Take it one day at a time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-81291176319534518712008-01-02T22:03:00.000Z2008-01-02T22:03:00.000ZYour friends are walking with you John, with You and Seren. We are willing you hope and strength, and a brighter happier future.<BR/>It is good that you have been able to mark a line, and step over it to the new year, and a new beginning. <BR/>Treasure your happy memories and keep walking forward, one small step at a time.Junehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794603896579291245noreply@blogger.com