Karen Rothman-Fried (36) died from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

[nestlequikie]

I have his blog in my favorites and check in often.

His post about his wedding... made me smile and cry.

Did you see Karen's wedding picture there?  She was stunning...



Hope you are taking care of yourself, Andrew.

RIP Karen and James

[Olivia]

So sad.

Monday, November 16, 2009
One year

Today marks one year since I loss my wife, Karen Rothman Fried, and son, James Alex Fried. Today I have no words of my own. Today I will let the same words by W.H. Auden that I used at her funeral last year speak my thoughts again....

* * *

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message She is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

She was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

Funeral Blues
W. H. Auden

[sue_vicious]

[quote author=Olivia link=topic=17528.msg1455370#msg1455370 date=1259024244]
So sad.

Monday, November 16, 2009
One year

Today marks one year since I loss my wife, Karen Rothman Fried, and son, James Alex Fried. Today I have no words of my own. Today I will let the same words by W.H. Auden that I used at her funeral last year speak my thoughts again....

* * *

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message She is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

She was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

Funeral Blues
W. H. Auden

[/quote]
Thanks for the update. I think about him often.

[d0tti]

I rarely cry, let alone when i'm reading stories online - this story is so touching
This moved me so much. Karen seemed like such a wonderful person.
Andrews strength is inspiring.  If there were more people like Andrew the world would be a much better place.

[wheresthebeef]

Oh my goodness. I have never seen this thread and am wondering why I choose to read stuff like this at work.

[Sarya]

I have never been so moved. Andrew thanks for sharing your story . You have inspired me so much . You show us all just how much we take for granted.You and Karen lived each day so beautifully . I will never forget you or your family.

RIP Karen and baby James

[MsWeatherwax]

Andrew, I've been loitering on this site for a while but it was your story that kind of brought me out. 

What I was going to post was about a mile and a half long, but I have just deleted what I intended to write.  You don't need to hear it all.  Suffice to say, it's been a tough couple of months and your story changed my perspective, one hell of a lot.

It's not much, I know that, but I can relate to Karen's love of a great meal, be it something simple or something more exotic.  Tonight, I went out and I bought a candle...it's mass produced and nothing spectacular (my choices on candles were limited at 9pm in the UK!), but it's scented with honey and chocolate, smells fabulous and just like something I'd want to finish a great meal with.  I lit it just now in Karen and James memory, and will continue to do so as long as I can. 

As someone else said, I feel like I should be writing something conciliatory to you, but I can only hope that the fact that your story has touched so many people brings you some peace. 

RIP Karen and James.   

[AndrewNY]

I remain incredibly moved knowing that so many people here - whom I've never met and never knew Karen in life - are reading my simple writings and keeping Karen and James in their thoughts.

Thank you again.

[DeaB4]

[quote author=AndrewNY link=topic=17528.msg1459695#msg1459695 date=1259467528]
I remain incredibly moved knowing that so many people here - whom I've never met and never knew Karen in life - are reading my simple writings and keeping Karen and James in their thoughts.

Thank you again.
[/quote]

Your writing blows a lot of minds, Andrew.  Your strength is always admirable.

[Just Jenn]

[quote author=MsWeatherwax link=topic=17528.msg1458022#msg1458022 date=1259272297]

As someone else said, I feel like I should be writing something conciliatory to you, but I can only hope that the fact that your story has touched so many people brings you some peace. 

RIP Karen and James.     
[/quote]

Andrew, I was going to write a long rambling post, but Ms summed it up better than I could. I think about your story a lot and it gives me a lot to think about in my own life.


Jen

[DeaB4]

Happy Birthday Karen.  Rest in peace.

[butterflykim]

I was going to bump this thread as well. I just saw a blog he just posted and I've never wanted to give someone a hug as much as I do for Andrew. Happy birthday Karen. Andrew, we all love & support you.

I've never been as moved about anything as I have been about Karen, Andrew & James' journey. I get teary eyed everytime I think of them. 

[oohsofaabulous]

Happy Birthday, Karen. Andrew, you never cease to amaze me with your strength and your beautiful words.

[DeaB4]

[quote author=butterflykim link=topic=17528.msg1486478#msg1486478 date=1261629391]
I was going to bump this thread as well. I just saw a blog he just posted and I've never wanted to give someone a hug as much as I do for Andrew. Happy birthday Karen. Andrew, we all love & support you.

I've never been as moved about anything as I have been about Karen, Andrew & James' journey. I get teary eyed everytime I think of them. 
[/quote]

I know what you mean.  He was here earlier, not sure if he'll be back, but he has hugs from me, as well

[quote author=oohsofaabulous link=topic=17528.msg1486479#msg1486479 date=1261629522]
Happy Birthday, Karen. Andrew, you never cease to amaze me with your strength and your beautiful words.
[/quote]

Right?  Every time he writes something new in his blog I have to stop and be thankful.

[butterflykim]

i don't have anything significant to add to this thread. however, something really damn cool is going to happen soon. i've kept in touch with Andrew since i first posted in this thread. he's going to be traveling through my area mid-july. my band is performing at a cozy little bar in charlotte/nc and he said he was going to come! i can't wait to meet him and give him a huge hug from all of us! i feel like i somewhat know him and karen even though i've never met them. that's so kick ass!

[liseyw]

Hi Andrew, I happened across this site as I was searching for information on dilated cardio myopathy. I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
My partner & soulmate died 33 days ago of the same condition. We weren't aware that she had it, it was very sudden, we woke up in bed in the morning and had a cuddle. it was only when she went to get out of bed that it happened. I tried to resucitate her and the emergency team worked on her for 50 mins but she had gone. Tania was 29 years old, she leaves behind 2 children. We had been together for a year but it felt like a lifetime, we were so happy. We had planned our wedding (civil union) which was due to take place in January and we had our honeymoon itinerary all sorted and booked. Tania was so excited about marrying me & I her. We were looking forward to an amazing life together.
I too am trying to just put one foot in front of the other. The pain is unbearable and I miss her every second. Reading your story I want to just send you love and encouragement, I see someone else suffering such a huge loss and it shows me that other people do carry on living, even though they are in pain.
I too read out W.H.Auden's poem at Tania's funeral, it was the most appropriate way to express my loss, but I believe that love does go on. Karen & James are still with you wherever you go, they will always be a part of you.
Lisa

[irishkat]

Losers so sort for your loss. May you find some measure of peace as time goes by.

[deeply shaded]

Losers so sort for your loss. May you find some measure of peace as time goes by.

What?

[nestlequikie]

What?

I wondered if she sneezed while typing that.

I am so sorry for your loss liseyw. RIP Tania

[irishkat]

What?

Damn predictive text or auto correct and a glass or two of wine.

[deeply shaded]

Damn predictive text or auto correct and a glass or two of wine.

[nestlequikie]

I was thinking of Karen today...

Bumping in remembrance and so that some of the newer members can see this sad yet wonderful thread. :)

[mialynneb]

I hope Andrew is doing well. He spoke of Karen in such a beautiful way - still brings tears to my eyes.

[captainjillian]

Oh I remember reading this one a long while ago, so sad. I hope Andrew comes back and tells us how he is.

[teknansen]

Oh gosh, I had not seen this years back when it was posted.Now I'm crying and will be giving my husband a huge hug when he gets home. Rest in Peace Karen & James.