This past weekend, I have been in a state of turmoil. My life was turned upside down with the passing of my wife and soul mate, Bonnie.
The turmoil remains, but with an added layer of emotion, as I read through tearful eyes the outpouring of supportive comments and messages from the many wonderful Squidoo friendships that both Bonnie and I have forged over the past months and years.
Although illness prevented Bonnie from playing an active role on Squidoo this year, today I truly came to appreciate and recognise the impact she had made on the community. She continually told me what a wonderful and talented group of people surrounded her on the site. It wasn’t until she finally convinced me to become involved at the end of last year, that I realised how right she was.
Bonnie’s nearly four years of lensmaking and interacting were a joy to her and I am so pleased she introduced me to THE best online community anywhere on the internet.
The prayers and condolences are truly helping to soothe the hurt and anguish I feel right now. I want to thank each of you individually for the heartfelt messages that have been left, not only on Squidoo, but also Facebook too. But I hope you will accept this post, and an upcoming lens, as my way of sending my deepest thanks to each of you for the support you have shown me over the past 24 hours. You are all truly amazing!
Before I finish, I must mention three Squidoo lensmasters whose generosity of friendship and care I so genuinely appreciate:
Thank you, Mimi, for creating the Memorial Guest Book For Bonnie. Your generosity of heart is a constant.
Thank you, Holley, for your gift of friendship and your ability to make both Bonnie and I laugh through good times and bad.
Thank you, Deb (GypsyOwl), for your thoughtfulness in starting the Light A Candle For Bonnie site. A truly wonderful gesture.
Squidoo, you are a fantastic community and I am honoured to be a part of you!
Rich
Rich, I remember when Bon told me you were going to become a lensmaster and she was so excited to have the love of her life sharing her online community of friends. I know we are all so glad that you did.
I know there is so much more to say, but you already know that she was and is well loved.
This is a beautiful heartfelt post and I am so glad you shared a photo of our beautiful angel.
Thank you so much Rich for sharing Bonnie’s photo with us. Please know that you are in my thoughts.
God bless and keep you, Richard. She was a beautiful woman, inside and out.
The days ahead will not be easy, my friend, but always know that Bonnie will be right there with you; there can be no other way.
I am writing through tears, Rich. What a heartfelt thank you. I know the weeks and months ahead will not be easy.
Rich, I am touched by your taking the time to write this post today. We are all with you in your grief and your love for Bonnie. We will indeed miss her! Take care of yourself and know that you have an entire internet community with you (and as you said, the BEST community on line!)
Rich, thank you so much for sharing the radiant face of Bonnie. …Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Richard, there simply are not sufficient words to express the deep sorrow and the sincere sympathy I wish to convey. This world will be a little less bright without your beautiful angel. Even as we grieve, I know the heavens are rejoicing and she is once again lighting the path for us to follow in due time.
You already know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and will be for the weeks and months ahead.
My heart goes out to you and Bonnie, and I second what Alex said.
I didn’t know Bonnie except for words you have written, but your word lodge inside somewhere. I remember the Linchpin lens.
I went back to your Angel lens yesterday and listened to a song there, and thought… You will know what song I mean, I think.
I just felt I had to say, my thoughts are with you at this time.
You are an amazing person to take the time to post your appreciation to the Squidoo community. Your tribute lens to Bonnie was at the top of the leaderboard this morning. What a wonderful tribute!
I also want to thank you for posting the great picture of Bonnie; I just knew that she would have that great smile.
We will all miss Bonnie–Just Bon and we will all be here for you.
Thank you for this posting and sharing about Bonnie with us. I am so sorry for your loss. My heart also goes out to you at this time of grief.
Richard… you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Once again, sorry for your loss… from what I hear Bonnie was a great person and would be greatly missed
Rich, I am so sorry for the loss of your Bonnie. I hope you can take some comfort in the fact that she was so loved here and will be sorely missed. I’ll be praying for you in the coming days.
My heartfelt thanks to the #Squidoo community. You have touched my heart deeply: http://bit.ly/cUiByA
RT @Squid_Rich: My heartfelt thanks to the #Squidoo community. You have touched my heart deeply: http://bit.ly/cUiByA
Bonnie was a dear lensmaster. She will be sorely missed. Thank you for sharing her beautiful photo with us. The hat and scarf were cute but it’s nice to put a face with a name. Be strong.
I’m still not able to keep a dry eye today, but I want to tell you that Bonnie touched my life through Squidoo and what she did and was about. Bonnie will be remembered by us all Rich, because of the love she gave. Rich you are in my warmest thoughts and prayers.
Its times like these that we learn to live again, its times like these that we learn to love again. ~ Bonnie would want that for you.
I know that Bon is angel-like and equal to angels now… You might be crying in the rain just now, but Bonnie is singing in the rein. ~ God bless you mightily at this time.
Rich, thanks for posting Bonnie’s picture. It’s great to see. Your post is beautiful and my thoughts are with you.
Bonnie was so kind and sweet and generous, and together you made a great couple both on Squidoo and off.
Bonnie’s memory will live on in all of us, as we continue to see her lenses, forum posts etc, and to be constantly reminded of how special she was.
Never forget that you have many friends here, and if you ever need a virtual shoulder to cry on, there are many shoulders ready to support you.
I know that Debbie became quite close to Bonnie in the last couple of years, since we also met on opposite sides of the Atlantic. She was really upset when I told her last night, and since Debbie has not been well either the news hit me hard emotionally.
Tony & Debbie
Rich, what a beautiful smile on your beautiful angel’s face. I’m so glad you shared that. I agree with Alex, too, in that she’ll always be with you.
Blessings and love,
Susan
enjoyed Heartfelt Thanks | My Squidoo Life http://askhenrik.com/9nvJDL
Rich, You have written a beautiful thank you. Bonnie’s picture is lovely. What a warm and radiant smile. Know that you continue to be in the thoughts and prayers of the Squidoo community.
you both have been in my mind and heart today. I hope the days get easier as they pass.
Heartfelt Thanks | My Squidoo Life http://bit.ly/99KMim
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
My thoughts are with you and your family, Richard.
What a beautiful post, Rich. You’re in my heart & prayers, Bonnie was so kind to me while I was newbie lensmaster & when working toward giant. I will always remember her kindness. She’ll always be with you in your heart, Rich. God Bless and keep you.
Sylvia
Rich, my friend, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I have to agree with the other post, seeing Bonnie’s beautiful face instead of the avatar was a very thoughtful share.
As it has already been said, I too agree that Bonnie will always be with you and all of us.
There really just aren’t enough words or the right words. But Rich, you have been in our thoughts and prayers. Another beautiful tribute to Bonnie. She will be missed.
Rich-You are so right about the community, and we are all very lucky that Bonnie talked you into joining. You bring such pleasure with your wit and humor, and just as Bonnie brought such a presence so do you.
Thank you so much Rich for sharing the picture of Bonnie, such a sweet, sweet smile. I hope that you won’t hesitate a second to reach out to family, friends, and the community here at Squidoo to help you through the days ahead.
Thank you so much for sharing Bon’s beautiful photo…that gal had a sense of humor that matched her smile and twinkling eyes!
My family has you and yours in our thoughts as you journey to healing and find peace.
Hugs…~Correen
I hope that you find comfort and peace during this painful time in your life.
Thank you for taking the time to share the wonderful & happy photo of Bonnie.
Yes squidoo is the best but your bonnie was greater!It is because of her that people like us love squidoo
May her memories live on..she has touched many lives more than she knew. Thank you for sharing this with us and may you find some condolence (one tidbit at a time) as the days wear on..
It’s so nice to have such a supportive community.
Well, I’ve only just met you on Twitter. I have a great ear. Always around for hugs. Thanks for being you Rich.
From 10-Finity: My Heartfelt #Thanks to the #Squidoo Community: This past weekend, I have… http://goo.gl/fb/0yscT