I've recently noticed that BookChick hasn't been on line. I always enjoyed her messages, always informative, never condescending and a great writer.

Is she perhaps off on one of her working assignment in Italy?

She mentioned on 4/25/03 that she was having some health problems, but I think she has posted since then. I hope all is well with her.

She's around. I'll tell her you were asking about her.

I hope she's okay! She did post after 4/25, I'm pretty sure because I didn't go to Italy until the end of June and if I remember correctly I saw some of her messages near to me trip.

She was so helpful to me for my first trip to Italy and especially at the time when I thought I was going alone, reassured me about many things.

I hope we hear from her.

hi guys,

one of the great features of this registration is keeping up with posts by different people.

if you type bookchick in the search box above, it will pull up some of her posts or responses. Once you have one of her posts, just click on her logon and it will pull all of them up and list them.

I did the search and she has actually been pretty active in responding to posts this week, just not the initiator of each post.

hope she is doing well, myself. I had to cancel my trip this past spring and missed her.

Oh whew! Was so happy to see that she last posted Sept 11, 2003. Check in, BC, and let us know how you're doing.

Hello All,
cmt did get in touch with me & let me know that some Fodor's folks were inquiring about me.

I have been seriously ill, but have been somehow able to execute all the responsibilities of my jos). Just prior to the 4th of July, my beloved father died quite suddenly. I've been dealing a lot with settling his estate, etc. (I actually spent quite a bit of time this past Friday doing this.) I also spent this past weekend bundling up, sorting, and/or laundering his clothes to donate to a clothing drive at church.

Even in death, there are compensations. My father was headed to the parking structure of an enormous medical center after having had a routine office visit with his rheumatologist. He was stricken by a massive heart attack. Luckily, he never had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the car, did not suffer with a prolonged debilitating illness, and did not die in my mother's house, where she'd be reminded every day of his passing.

When I was in Rome this past February, I bought a rosary for him at "Mondo Cattolico", at Vatican City. He was holding that rosary, and wearing an Italian silk tie I purchased for him in Rome that went well with his favorite suit when we buried him.

Sorry to be macabre, but death demands the attentions of we the living also. I am not yet well enough to travel again on my own, but my doctors feel pretty confident I will make a full recovery.

Thanks much for your concern. I may not be ready to go back to Italy yet, but I'm not ready to leave this earthly plane yet, either!

Peace,
BC

BookChick,

So sorry to hear about your father, I'm lucky to still have both my parents and when my dad had a five way bypass heart surgery in 2002, it hit me that they werent' always going to be around. I don't know how anybody gets through the death of a parent, except cherishing all the great memories of the past.

Hang in there, take care of yourself and hopefully you'll soon be able to go to Italy soon.

So glad to hear from you.

Sorry to hear about your father bookchick.I can understand your pain because I lost both my parents years ago. My Mom was only 62, an energetic, optimistic full of life person, much younger than her age, she was the classic Forever young... and 2 years later my Dad also passed away.Words cannot ease the pain that you feel now,and there will be always an empty vacuum in your heart. Just keep remenbering the happy days and keep his memory alive in your Heart.
Ciao,
Kismet

You will be in our prayers BC.

Oh BC, consider yourself hugged all the way from California. I've missed you bunches on the board.

BC, I am so sorry to hear about your father. I have been through this recently myself, with my mother, and I know how difficult it all is. But I am so relieved to hear that your health is recovering. Sending you my sympathy and wishes for your own health and strength.
--Marilyn

Bookchick
God bless you and your family. I am sorry for your loss and hope your health improves greatly. See, you are loved even by complete strangers.

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, Bookchic. Take care of yourself.

BC--These are dark days for you and your Mom, but remember you are in our thoughts and prayers and the sun is shining in Italy!

Thanks so much for your concern and your wonderful good wishes, and your prayers.

My mother was quite ill at the beginning of the year, and was in both the hospital and a nursing home for some time, including time during my two trips to Rome this year. She came home a bit prior to Easter, and then my father passed away so suddenly just a few months later.

I pop in here as I can, but unfortunately time and energy limit me these days.

All you Italophiles, keep the faith! I will be back!

BC

ttt. Bookchick, we miss you and wish you Godspeed.

All your friends have been missing you, even we Francophiles are always thinking of you.

Bookchick, my heart and prayers are with you, when my sister died 10 years ago, a friend told me now you have your own personal angel in heaven, I am sure your father is always watching over you.
hugs
Fluffy

Special thoughts and prayers BC. Remember to take care of YOURSELF.