"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.
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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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I have tears in my eyes as well, for someone whom I have never met, although I remember reading his comments on your blog.
What a lovely post, Kristi! A very moving tribute for one of your loyal blog friends. I’m so glad Jules got a chance to tell him how much he had meant to you. Take care!
And, rest in peace, Bill! You will be missed!
I have tears in my eyes as well, for someone whom I have never met, although I remember reading his comments on your blog.
What a lovely post, Kristi! A very moving tribute for one of your loyal blog friends. I’m so glad Jules got a chance to tell him how much he had meant to you. Take care!
And, rest in peace, Bill! You will be missed!
Lovely post, Kristin. I’ve been reading you since about 2006, also. As a retired English teacher, I noticed that you got each of Bill’s lessons right in the post. Good job!
I love that a cyber family/community has come together both to read of your life, loves, stuggles, and to learn some French!
After an absence of almost 18 years, I plan to return to France this spring with a friend. I really hope that I will be able to journey south to meet you!
Amities,
Karla
Lovely post, Kristin. I’ve been reading you since about 2006, also. As a retired English teacher, I noticed that you got each of Bill’s lessons right in the post. Good job!
I love that a cyber family/community has come together both to read of your life, loves, stuggles, and to learn some French!
After an absence of almost 18 years, I plan to return to France this spring with a friend. I really hope that I will be able to journey south to meet you!
Amities,
Karla
Amen.
Amen.
Beautiful last couple posts!!! I am moved by this story and the previous one was my absolute favorite. You are growing as a blogger and writer and woman, and we all get to experience with you! Thank you for sharing!!
Beautiful last couple posts!!! I am moved by this story and the previous one was my absolute favorite. You are growing as a blogger and writer and woman, and we all get to experience with you! Thank you for sharing!!
Fiends are so hard to see go but know that you honored him well and we are all the richer for your sharing this exceptional person. Tears flow for him and you just introduced us. The power of words!!
Fiends are so hard to see go but know that you honored him well and we are all the richer for your sharing this exceptional person. Tears flow for him and you just introduced us. The power of words!!
I meant “Friends” What would he say about that mistake?
I meant “Friends” What would he say about that mistake?
The world is smaller because of the internet. We can meet people from so many places we’ll never visit. While it’s odd to care about someone we’ve never hugged or even taken their hand, they are still a real friend, and their passing leaves an empty place in our lives. Maya J.
The world is smaller because of the internet. We can meet people from so many places we’ll never visit. While it’s odd to care about someone we’ve never hugged or even taken their hand, they are still a real friend, and their passing leaves an empty place in our lives. Maya J.
Bill was a worldwide friend. Thank you so much for letting us know about his life and departing. Was Bill the commentator from Hawaii? As a former editorial proofreader, I identify with Bill. It’s very hard to resist pointing out errors, but I feel that you really appreciated all Bill’s comments. We all will miss him. Love to Blaise, Smokey and JM from a dedicated fan.
Bill was a worldwide friend. Thank you so much for letting us know about his life and departing. Was Bill the commentator from Hawaii? As a former editorial proofreader, I identify with Bill. It’s very hard to resist pointing out errors, but I feel that you really appreciated all Bill’s comments. We all will miss him. Love to Blaise, Smokey and JM from a dedicated fan.
Tears flowing here in Connecticut. We are touched by so many during our lifetimes. You have honored your relationship beautifully. Thank you.
Tears flowing here in Connecticut. We are touched by so many during our lifetimes. You have honored your relationship beautifully. Thank you.
Such a special statement today, Kristin. Thanks for every iota of it.
Such a special statement today, Kristin. Thanks for every iota of it.
In honour of both Bill and you: hope you can see it!
https://www.facebook.com/grammarly/photos/a.158139670871698.33824.139729956046003/822599081092417/?type=1&theater
In honour of both Bill and you: hope you can see it!
https://www.facebook.com/grammarly/photos/a.158139670871698.33824.139729956046003/822599081092417/?type=1&theater
Just to stand in for Bill a moment, mom is capitalized when you use it as a proper noun. otherwise, it does not need to be capitalized. i.e. Mom went to the store for me. vs. My mom went to the store for me, or Many moms have tired feet.
God bless Bill Myers for trying to contribute to all of us.
Just to stand in for Bill a moment, mom is capitalized when you use it as a proper noun. otherwise, it does not need to be capitalized. i.e. Mom went to the store for me. vs. My mom went to the store for me, or Many moms have tired feet.
God bless Bill Myers for trying to contribute to all of us.
Sweet homage to a friend. Some people we don’t need to see to befriend or even love — evidence that the spirit can connect without the body. I’m so sorry for this great loss.
Sweet homage to a friend. Some people we don’t need to see to befriend or even love — evidence that the spirit can connect without the body. I’m so sorry for this great loss.
Couldn’t help noticing the resemblance between your Bill and William Safire, who you may remember had a wonderful Sunday NYT column on grammar and proper English usage. Picture here:
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/record/archives/vol20/vol20_iss31/record2031.22c.gif
Couldn’t help noticing the resemblance between your Bill and William Safire, who you may remember had a wonderful Sunday NYT column on grammar and proper English usage. Picture here:
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/record/archives/vol20/vol20_iss31/record2031.22c.gif
Bill in St. Paul:
When you use the words “father” or “mother” (or diminutives) in place of a name, you capitalize them, as in “I went to see Mother/Mom/Mama yesterday.” If you use the words generically, they are not capitalized: “My mother/mom/ma and father/dad/pa live in Paris.”
Grammar is devoid of sentimentality!
Bill in St. Paul:
When you use the words “father” or “mother” (or diminutives) in place of a name, you capitalize them, as in “I went to see Mother/Mom/Mama yesterday.” If you use the words generically, they are not capitalized: “My mother/mom/ma and father/dad/pa live in Paris.”
Grammar is devoid of sentimentality!
Just beautiful. A lovely tribute and may he rest in peace!
Just beautiful. A lovely tribute and may he rest in peace!
x
x
Life has kept me from reading and commenting on a regular basis lately, but I couldn’t pass up this one. Thank you for touching all of us with a tribute for someone you have never touched. Beautiful.
Life has kept me from reading and commenting on a regular basis lately, but I couldn’t pass up this one. Thank you for touching all of us with a tribute for someone you have never touched. Beautiful.
Thank you for sharing your dear departed Bill with all of us. God sends us special people when we need them and now we move on strengthened by their passing through.
Thank you for sharing your dear departed Bill with all of us. God sends us special people when we need them and now we move on strengthened by their passing through.
Good Afternoon Kristi,
Thank you for sharing the news of Bill’s passing and for the lovely tribute. He helped you and I’m sure you touched his life more than you’ll ever know…until you meet again.
I thank you every day for the blessings you have brought to all of our lives. You are a beautiful person and have lifted me up many times. I hope you know how truly loved you are.
Have a wonderful week!
Good Afternoon Kristi,
Thank you for sharing the news of Bill’s passing and for the lovely tribute. He helped you and I’m sure you touched his life more than you’ll ever know…until you meet again.
I thank you every day for the blessings you have brought to all of our lives. You are a beautiful person and have lifted me up many times. I hope you know how truly loved you are.
Have a wonderful week!
Beautiful words and pictures. Thank you so much.
Beautiful words and pictures. Thank you so much.
I EMOTED WITH YOU, TWO DROPS OF TEARS ARE LINGERING IN MY LOWER EYELIDS, AND I AM SO GRATEFUL TO YOU, FRED
I EMOTED WITH YOU, TWO DROPS OF TEARS ARE LINGERING IN MY LOWER EYELIDS, AND I AM SO GRATEFUL TO YOU, FRED