"God is love," I would say. "Dog is love," Bill would suggest. Today, read about my invisible editor, who passed away suddenly. We didn't always agree, but otherwise got along grammar-warily. Photo of my dog Smokey and his mama, Brez.
hommage (m)
: tribute
présenter ses hommages = to pay one's respects
en hommage de reconnaissance = as a token of gratitude
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A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
William Myers has passed away. You may not have known him but, if you have a minute, I'll tell you about the man who taught me "mom" is spelled with a lower case "m" (…sometimes, anyway).
This was but one of our disagreements. But who was I to argue with the Grammar King? Mostly, I kept opinions to myself, firing off a quick Thanks! Edits all in now! each time Bill responded to my newsletters. And he responded to every single one of them since signing on, sometime in 2006.
One day I noticed the cc line in Bill's emails. Who were all those people to whom (yes, to whom, Bill would say) Bill was copying his edits of my newsletter? Some sort of editorial team?
Soon I got a letter from another blogger. "Hey," he said, "how do you know Bill? Just wondering, cuz this guy just started correcting my posts!"
I recognized the blogger's address from the cc line of those edits Bill was sending me.
Soon after, my own address stood out in the cc line. This time the edits were directed to Anu Garg! Oh no! I didn't want The Wordsmith to associate me with the grammar police and The Accidental Grammar Posse. (Posse? I began to assume the other "cc's" were random writers in cyberspace, all of us rounded up to witness the latest grammar assault! The streak of light connecting our "dots" (or misplaced commas) was a certain Willam Myers. Who was this man?
The Grammar King.
In the 8 years since Bill began crossing my t's, I gathered bits and pieces of his colorful personality. I wish I could share them all, but here are just a few:
Openminded for one!
It was odd (and finally amusing) how Bill would end his proper English grammar corrections with a string of street slang or rap. (I should search my inbox for an example of Bill's colorful lingo, but given there are 1000s of emails from him, the task would be overwhelming!)
1000s of emails from Bill
Bill, I gathered, was a compulsive correspondant and internet surfer. He collected email addresses to such an extent that I once heard an isolated French wine farmer ask: Who eez zis 'Beel'? The vigneron in question was briefly mentioned in one of my stories. But he was not overlooked by Bill, who tracked him down and nearly cc'd him–along with the rest of us!
Cynical? Playful?
Bill corrected my grammar with a slap-of-the hand voice: "No, Dummy! It's 'its' not 'it's'! he would scold, in 16pt and in red or purple or green (and not "red, or purple, or green"–notice the commas. Bill would have!)
In His Own Words
"I'm a lapsed Catholic & retired lawyer."
Animal Lover
In a recent email to my mom (small "m")–another character he'd tracked down and cc'd–Bill wrote, "I have long had a big thing for homeless animals. I have rescued & been honored & blessed by: Angie, Lacey, Honey, Snowflake and Kabuke…."
Apparently, when Bill wasn't rescuing apostrophes, he turned his attention to misplaced cats and dogs.
Thoughtful
That recent email to Mom (capital "m" this time) was, little did we know, his last to her. It included a long rant about the scandalous and exhorbitant price of medication. Bill was desperate to share some price-saving tips: "It will surely reward your dear husband," Bill wrote, "to investigate the deals at Robinhood Family Pharmacy…"
Mom thanked Bill for his note, so touched that he would think of her. Next, she added:
"You have been such a BIG influence on Kristi and her writing all of these years, I do hope you know how much you are appreciated."
How serendipitous Mom's note would be. In it, she managed to thank Bill for me, as I would not get the chance to….
Alone
John, a close friend of Bill's wrote to me. "I wanted to let you know that Bill Myers has died. I know he so enjoyed his correspondence with you and that it gave him much pleasure as he was increasingly confined. Thank you so much for you kindness."
Loved
I recognized John's email from the mile-long cc lines on Bill's earlier notes. I realized, then, not all of the grammar posse were strangers…. Some were very dear to Bill.
* * *
Walking my dog through the forest, a tear streams down my face for a stranger I met in cyberspace. It was too late, now, to thank him properly. (Thank God Mom had followed her instincts, praising him affectionately!)
Smokey tugged at his leash, pulling me forward along the path. How odd it was to be so touched by someone you'd never touched. Through watery eyes I looked around at the blurry forest when suddenly the tree bark came into focus… and then my dear dog's glossy coat, and then the ground beneath my feet. I once read a book about God. And the words come back to me now, in a new light, a light shining on the objects all around me:
I am the bark… I am the fur… I am the pebbles…
As I listened to the voice in my head define God, I pulled a piece of perforated tissue out of my pocket, to wipe my eyes.
I am the tears… I am the toilet paper that dries them…
I laughed at the voice, which spoke the truth, with humor. It told me, finally, who Bill was. Like each and everyone of us, he is love.
Looking around now, at the tree bark, my dog's fur, the goosebumps on my body, I see it all so differently. I take a deep breath and breathe out to a deeper calm. Life goes on and on.
Comments
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Provence Dreamin'? Maison des Pelerins, Sablet. A Vacation Rental Dream in the heart of the Côte du Rhone. See photos here.
A photo Bill would have appreciated
And another (of Smokey)
And another, of the blogger he helped for all those years. We had in common a love of language and animals. Thank you, Bill, for helping me cross my t's. When you don't write back today, I'm going to notice. Then I'll go out and notice the bark, Smokey's fur, and the pebbles beneath our feet.
To respond to this post, click here. Edits welcome, too….
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Thank you so much Kristin — what a beautiful post. He must have been a special person.
And thank you for the great “little people with fur” photos.
This was a great way to start my day.
Stay well!
Thank you so much Kristin — what a beautiful post. He must have been a special person.
And thank you for the great “little people with fur” photos.
This was a great way to start my day.
Stay well!
God’s presence is woven into our lives awaiting our discovery. Bill certainly was a special thread in your life, initiating so much with his touch. Thank you for sharing the blessings of his presence on your path…..and touching my path with your words, pictures and stories.
God’s presence is woven into our lives awaiting our discovery. Bill certainly was a special thread in your life, initiating so much with his touch. Thank you for sharing the blessings of his presence on your path…..and touching my path with your words, pictures and stories.
Our dear Kristi,
This is just an incredibly lovely and moving post.
You and Bill were a blessing in each other’s lives;once again you have shown usjust exactly how to appreciate and treasure our friends,be they in person or cyberspace.
THANK YOU!
Love
Natalia XO
Our dear Kristi,
This is just an incredibly lovely and moving post.
You and Bill were a blessing in each other’s lives;once again you have shown usjust exactly how to appreciate and treasure our friends,be they in person or cyberspace.
THANK YOU!
Love
Natalia XO
How lucky you were to have a Bill. He touched you in ways beyond his wordsmithing. The sign of a truly caring person. You did right by him in your blog today.
Chris
How lucky you were to have a Bill. He touched you in ways beyond his wordsmithing. The sign of a truly caring person. You did right by him in your blog today.
Chris
Kristin, as so many have said, this was very touching. I identify with Bill because I, too, edit, if only in my mind. I edit what I read in newspapers and online. I mentally edit words of TV and radio announcers, and, probably unfortunately, those of everyone from drive-through voices to good friends. I don’t know that it’s an admirable trait of mine, but there it is…
Your mom was surely used of God. Her last message sent Bill off knowing he was appreciated. And, by the way, so are you.
Kristin, as so many have said, this was very touching. I identify with Bill because I, too, edit, if only in my mind. I edit what I read in newspapers and online. I mentally edit words of TV and radio announcers, and, probably unfortunately, those of everyone from drive-through voices to good friends. I don’t know that it’s an admirable trait of mine, but there it is…
Your mom was surely used of God. Her last message sent Bill off knowing he was appreciated. And, by the way, so are you.
Beautiful. I know he’s smiling as he reads this from his new home. 🙂
Blessings,
Lorrie (Redondo Beach, CA)
Beautiful. I know he’s smiling as he reads this from his new home. 🙂
Blessings,
Lorrie (Redondo Beach, CA)
DARLING BILL,
WELL AS YOU AND ONLY I KNOW, I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE 4 OZ’S OF WINE, WELL MAYBE 6 OZ’S WORE OFF SO I COULD HIKE BACK DOWN TO THE COFFEE CUP HERE IN THE MARINA TO SEE WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE COMMENT BOX. nEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE BEEN VERY SAD THIS MORNING…I KNOW THAT KRISTI IS PROBABLEY IN THE CLOSET NOT ONLY CRYING FOR YOUR HELP, BUT IT IS STARTING TO BECOME MORE CLEAR TO HER THAT YOU HAVE REALLY DEPARTED AND ARE NO L0NGER THERE TO LOOK OVER HER SHOULDER AND CLEAN UP HER WRITING. I LOVE YOU HONEY, I MISS YOU MORE THAN I WOULD HAVE EVER KNOWN. I AM SO HAPPY THAT YOU WERE IN OUR LIVES. hOW IS IT UP THERE IN HEAVEN??? I’m SURE I WILL SEE YOU ONE DAY SOON. tHANKS FOR MAKING KRISTI LOOK SO SMART ALL OF THESE PAST YEARS….YOU WERE A TRUE ANGEL….
XOXO
MOMA JULES…
DARLING BILL,
WELL AS YOU AND ONLY I KNOW, I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE 4 OZ’S OF WINE, WELL MAYBE 6 OZ’S WORE OFF SO I COULD HIKE BACK DOWN TO THE COFFEE CUP HERE IN THE MARINA TO SEE WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE COMMENT BOX. nEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE BEEN VERY SAD THIS MORNING…I KNOW THAT KRISTI IS PROBABLEY IN THE CLOSET NOT ONLY CRYING FOR YOUR HELP, BUT IT IS STARTING TO BECOME MORE CLEAR TO HER THAT YOU HAVE REALLY DEPARTED AND ARE NO L0NGER THERE TO LOOK OVER HER SHOULDER AND CLEAN UP HER WRITING. I LOVE YOU HONEY, I MISS YOU MORE THAN I WOULD HAVE EVER KNOWN. I AM SO HAPPY THAT YOU WERE IN OUR LIVES. hOW IS IT UP THERE IN HEAVEN??? I’m SURE I WILL SEE YOU ONE DAY SOON. tHANKS FOR MAKING KRISTI LOOK SO SMART ALL OF THESE PAST YEARS….YOU WERE A TRUE ANGEL….
XOXO
MOMA JULES…
Kristi, I look forward to reading your blog and I am always so surprised at the beautiful gems that you give us through your words and lovely pictures. The blog about your friend Bill was so touching. I went back and read several of the comments and I wonder if you may have found another editor to replace Bill? Claudette? I shall remain “tuned in” to see if another editorial relationship will have begun… best wishes to you!
Kristi, I look forward to reading your blog and I am always so surprised at the beautiful gems that you give us through your words and lovely pictures. The blog about your friend Bill was so touching. I went back and read several of the comments and I wonder if you may have found another editor to replace Bill? Claudette? I shall remain “tuned in” to see if another editorial relationship will have begun… best wishes to you!
OH, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL POST !
HE WOULD BE PROUD ( I AM SURE )
THANK YOU FOR SHARING `BILL`
OH, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL POST !
HE WOULD BE PROUD ( I AM SURE )
THANK YOU FOR SHARING `BILL`
Looks like your tribute touched quite a few readers today, including myself. As a French teacher (now retired), I have read your posts and occasionally responded. I have to admit I’ve been tempted to challenge your French spelling, but never felt the need to point out any errors in French or in English. Recently my wife (a retired English teacher) started a weekly blog and I find myself cast in the role of spell-checker and grammarian. As language teachers we find ourselves needing to make sure we “get it right!” Keep up the good work and don’t worry too much about the details! (By the way, here’ my wife’s blog: kathleendanahaine.com
Looks like your tribute touched quite a few readers today, including myself. As a French teacher (now retired), I have read your posts and occasionally responded. I have to admit I’ve been tempted to challenge your French spelling, but never felt the need to point out any errors in French or in English. Recently my wife (a retired English teacher) started a weekly blog and I find myself cast in the role of spell-checker and grammarian. As language teachers we find ourselves needing to make sure we “get it right!” Keep up the good work and don’t worry too much about the details! (By the way, here’ my wife’s blog: kathleendanahaine.com
Oh dear Kristi, thank you! This beautiful tribute, so profoundly true to your gracious spirit, has moved me to tears. I am continuously awed by the way in which we touch each other’s lives; even those who we’ve not met.
Bill will be greatly missed. I certainly could use a Grammar King of my own as I have fallen far off the “grammar wagon”.
This post is one of my favorites. Life does go on and on; grateful for the gifts you bring to mine. On the breeze, I send you Love and a long, heartfelt hug.
Oh dear Kristi, thank you! This beautiful tribute, so profoundly true to your gracious spirit, has moved me to tears. I am continuously awed by the way in which we touch each other’s lives; even those who we’ve not met.
Bill will be greatly missed. I certainly could use a Grammar King of my own as I have fallen far off the “grammar wagon”.
This post is one of my favorites. Life does go on and on; grateful for the gifts you bring to mine. On the breeze, I send you Love and a long, heartfelt hug.
Hi Kristin,
I’m sure Bill is looking down and smiling from heaven!
Hi Kristin,
I’m sure Bill is looking down and smiling from heaven!
Such a beautiful post, it touched my heart and helped me see life in a better perspective. Thank you for your writing.
Such a beautiful post, it touched my heart and helped me see life in a better perspective. Thank you for your writing.
I find it ironic that Weird Al released his new single today (he’s releasing one each day this week) called ” Word Crimes.”
Check it out:
http://www.weirdal.com/
Bill would approve 🙂
I find it ironic that Weird Al released his new single today (he’s releasing one each day this week) called ” Word Crimes.”
Check it out:
http://www.weirdal.com/
Bill would approve 🙂
This was such a lovely piece, and preceded by another of those unearthly beautiful picture of your dogs. It is a tribute to your magnetism that people like Bill get involved with you, which in turn gives rise to such wonderful writing.
This was such a lovely piece, and preceded by another of those unearthly beautiful picture of your dogs. It is a tribute to your magnetism that people like Bill get involved with you, which in turn gives rise to such wonderful writing.
Having chosen to include your lovely, cuddling dogs in this post, it is fitting that your mom has an intuition of how you spent your day after hearing the unfortunate news. One’s pets really do provide comfort, at least mine always have. In the recent books I have been reading the author is always saying, “In life there are no coincidences. …” (did I do the elipse correctly?) I was referring to your mom having sent the last note to Bill.
I so look forward to reading your posts, Kristi, please know that you are loved.
Mary
Having chosen to include your lovely, cuddling dogs in this post, it is fitting that your mom has an intuition of how you spent your day after hearing the unfortunate news. One’s pets really do provide comfort, at least mine always have. In the recent books I have been reading the author is always saying, “In life there are no coincidences. …” (did I do the elipse correctly?) I was referring to your mom having sent the last note to Bill.
I so look forward to reading your posts, Kristi, please know that you are loved.
Mary
Having sent you, somewhat hesitantly, a few corrections over the years, I am always grateful to receive your breezy (and grateful-sounding) “Thanks, off to make those changes now.” You always make it seem as if corrections and suggestions are welcome, which makes me feel better about sending them. Thanks for your kindness. I’m sure Bill appreciated it too, and indeed felt that you appreciated him.
Having sent you, somewhat hesitantly, a few corrections over the years, I am always grateful to receive your breezy (and grateful-sounding) “Thanks, off to make those changes now.” You always make it seem as if corrections and suggestions are welcome, which makes me feel better about sending them. Thanks for your kindness. I’m sure Bill appreciated it too, and indeed felt that you appreciated him.
What a very moving story and tribute to a friend. I have a feeling Bill knew without your telling him how much his help was appreciated. Thank you, Kristin. I could just imagine that walk in the forest.
What a very moving story and tribute to a friend. I have a feeling Bill knew without your telling him how much his help was appreciated. Thank you, Kristin. I could just imagine that walk in the forest.
Thanks Kristi, thanks Bill and thanks to all those connected to this lovely blog.
Thanks Kristi, thanks Bill and thanks to all those connected to this lovely blog.
Bill, sounds like my kind of guy. I love grammar police. God bless him and those who will miss him. Wilma Smelcer
Bill, sounds like my kind of guy. I love grammar police. God bless him and those who will miss him. Wilma Smelcer
What a beautiful homage to your dear friend! I always admired his ease in sending in corrections along with his love and appreciation for all you give to each one of us! He will be missed, but well-remembered!
What a beautiful homage to your dear friend! I always admired his ease in sending in corrections along with his love and appreciation for all you give to each one of us! He will be missed, but well-remembered!
I suppose this is an example of the oxymoron, “intimate stranger.” Mr. Myers probably wouldn’t like those quote marks. Kristi,
this was a touching tribute.
I suppose this is an example of the oxymoron, “intimate stranger.” Mr. Myers probably wouldn’t like those quote marks. Kristi,
this was a touching tribute.
The picture of Blaise and Smokey almost had me running out to get another Golden. To me , “Mom” is spelled with a capital “M”, since “Mom” denotes someone really special – sorry to disagree, Bill.
The picture of Blaise and Smokey almost had me running out to get another Golden. To me , “Mom” is spelled with a capital “M”, since “Mom” denotes someone really special – sorry to disagree, Bill.
What a wonderful tribute to one who made a difference in your life. You, in fact, have such a way with words, I find myself sharing every emotion you describe in all your postings. Thank you for expanding my peripheral view.
What a wonderful tribute to one who made a difference in your life. You, in fact, have such a way with words, I find myself sharing every emotion you describe in all your postings. Thank you for expanding my peripheral view.
It was if I was walking in the woods with you and really appreciated your story about Bill. As always you have the most profound way of conveying the “moment” in time, which is all we ever have really. Isn’t it amazing how over the years your life has influenced and in turn you have influenced so many others around the world. Thank you Kristi, June G.C. Qld
It was if I was walking in the woods with you and really appreciated your story about Bill. As always you have the most profound way of conveying the “moment” in time, which is all we ever have really. Isn’t it amazing how over the years your life has influenced and in turn you have influenced so many others around the world. Thank you Kristi, June G.C. Qld