How Writing to Heal Led to a Touching Story of Love

by Jo Ann Simon

I lost the love of my life, my second husband Tom,
to ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

We had a storybook love story that most just dreamed about.

It started with a tick bite, Lyme disease and then a death sentence. We made the most of every single day wearing rose-colored glasses, making the most of the time we had left on this earth.

Writing Was the Best Medicine After I Lost My Love

Afterwards, I decided to start writing about the beautiful life, as well as the rough and tough times, so that I would never forget. I was afraid that I would lose the details in time.

Writing was the best medicine. It helped me immensely. It gave me a chance to realize what actually happened, instead of my denial of reality.

That’s when I realized that this could help other people as well, and that’s when I set on a journey to publish the book.

Writing Was a Meaningful Way to Voice My Feelings

Writing was the only way to capture what we had. I didn’t want to lose the wonderment of the short time we had together.

I am also an artist and an executive, which are both outlets for voicing my feelings. But, writing was more personal and meaningful to me.

I wrote Dear Tom letters, which are in the book. They were a way for me to communicate with him to share my thoughts at that time.

It is hard to be alone without your soulmate to talk to. Writing allowed me to communicate with him. I do feel strongly about advocacy for Lyme disease and ALS and will pursue more of that in the future as a method to spread the word and find cures for these deadly diseases.

Sometimes I Thought I Was Crazy for Trying to Write a Book

I’m a very organized person, and decided to create a synopsis of our life together. This was easy because we lived it.

Of course, it changed over the course of writing and editing, but the basis stayed the same. I was inspired by doing this, and it felt like a tribute to Tom in the beginning, but then it changed to be about us and then me and how I could live my life again.

It was healing for me.

I did have doubts. Sometimes I thought I was crazy to think I could do something like this, then I thought that if I didn’t see it through I would never forgive myself.  I’m sure Tom was there whispering in my ear to continue.

The Best Thing I Did: Sign Up for a Writing Class

I attended writing conferences, researched everything and anything about the publishing industry, read lots of memoirs and joined writing groups. The best thing I did was to sign up for a writing class to really learn the craft and establish my voice.

I realize that my writing is not the norm, whatever that is, but I am proud of it.

I have met many people along the writing path and am glad to call them my close friends, along with my lifelong friends and family. They are my best encouragement and voice of reason.

When I Started Writing, I Was Stuck in the Past

When I started writing, I was captured in the past while I wrote my story.

Then I went through two rounds of editing, which kept me in the past as well. It was hard to be anywhere else in my mind but with my beloved Tom.

Once the book was published, I could live in the present and look forward to the next chapter in my life, and to writing my next book.

I’m a Little In Shock Over My Five-Star Reviews

I am pleasantly surprised at the impact that [the book] has had on me and on others.

I had beta readers, some whom I knew read some early copies of the book. They gave me good detailed feedback, as well as very positive reviews on the story. I assumed they were just be nice.

I had no expectations of how the general public would feel  about my book. I am totally surprised that all of the reviews that have come in so far have been five-star! These are with gorgeous, wonderful words of praise.

I’m a little in shock over this.

Advice for Writers Writing About a Personal Experience

I would highly recommend writing about your experience, if only for yourself or the world.

It is extremely therapeutic and gives you a reason to live and fill your your time with something positive.

Writing is the easy part, publishing is a whole new world that can be daunting and exciting at the same time.

Be Positive in Your Life, No Matter What

Rose Colored Glasses is a love story, but the major message is to be positive in your life, no matter what is happening to you.

Make the most of every day with the people that you love. Your life will be richer and more rewarding. You will rub off on others and see that happiness.

* * *

Jo Ann Simon, a corporate executive, is a lifelong nutmegger, living in various locations in the Nutmeg state of Connecticut. She is a constant traveler, exploring the world including her favorite country, Italy. Her day job, running a company, painting fine art, gardening and writing, fill in the blanks of her life. Palm trees are essential in her personal landscape with beaches to match.

For more on Jo Ann and her work, please see her website and blog, or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

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Rose Colored Glasses: When he first saw me, Tom said that he would spend the rest of his life with me. To my surprise, he actually did. He was the love of my life.

We shared a story that felt like a dream. Every moment was an adventure… and then Tom became ill. As his mysterious symptoms persisted we were hurtled through a maze of fear, tests, doubts and sorrow. But while doctors toyed with diagnoses– Lyme disease, ALS– we filled each day with joy, hope, good food, wine, music and travel.Even when death came to crush our storybook romance, we found that the human spirit is greater than the frailties of the body, greater than suffering and grief.

From the fateful tick bite on Block Island to central nervous system failure, to healing my grief and loss, I stayed afloat, upbeat, and connected to Tom through devotion, true love, and by donning my own special pair of rose-colored glasses.

Available on Amazon.