In Memory of Linda Andrews

John, my thoughts and prayers are with you...I grieve with you this morning. I feel so privileged that I could meet Linda in person a year ago. What a beautiful love story between you two. I remember Linda, even in the grips of her illness and haloed by medical paraphenalia, filled with fire and drive and love and LIFE, an indomitable presence even in the face of overwhelming circumstances. I can sense her presence in all of your fights for political and social justice and I suspect that now, unfettered by illness, she's watching us impatiently and urging us to get moving, to hurry up & accomplish all the larger changes she supported so ardently when she was here. She is an inspiration to me, John.

I remember during those crazy days of moderating the K-E blog, John would grab Linda and his tv dinner and they'd sit and moderate the blog with us. They were both passionate about trying to right the world. And they were both well-aware that every day was a blessing.

I know Linda appreciated knowing that all of us were here for John and for her.

John, you and Linda shared such a special love and caring. You and Linda embraced us. As we took care of you two, you two took care of us too.

I remember when I spoke to Linda, she was funny, fiesty, and caring. One time, I called there to check up on abq and Linda answered the phone. Being so use to calling abq, "abq", I forgot that JOHN followed the name abq. So as I stumbled embarrassedly and asked for abq...she laughed and said, "Oh, so you want to speak to John!"

There were other occations that we spoke too. Mostly it was about how we care for the world and each other.

I know Linda felt blessed.

V--I remember talking to Linda and John after your visit. I know that both adored you and were so happy that you had been able to meet them.

I'm sorry I never got to meet Linda, or John, in person - but I remember everything enough to have strong associations and feelings by putting it all together. John mentioned good food enough that I knew he was a good cook! I remember getting my t-shirt from his address, chatting on instant message as a moderator, the emails, the posts. Thought about them alot and sending love and strength out to John at this time. John was and is part of a loving community and I hope it will help right now. Peace and good spirits!

My deepest sympathies on the loss of your love and life partner.

Having lost my mother to pulmonary disease (and its complications) last year, after living with her during the last four years of her life, I can appreciate the enormous void that you must be experiencing at this moment - and will likely continue to experience in the weeks and months to come. A person who was an inextricable part of your daily life is suddenly gone. As she neared her end, my mother would talk of how she wised God would take her, and of what a burden she had become on me. I could never quite convince her that returning the love and concern that she so unselfishly had given me up to that point was anything but a burden. But loving is never a burden. At least in my experience, it's what makes us feel most truly alive.

Again, my condolences.

John~my heartfelt condolences to you. May Linda be with you in spirit and may you know her presence and her love always.

John,

I'm sorry not to have had the pleasure of knowing Linda - it sounds like you two had a wonderful love. She is surely at peace now. May you find solace in knowing that.

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family, as I'm sure they do from all of us here in your DCP family.

Dear ABQ John,

I am sorry to hear that Linda is no longer present physically. You can be more than sure she is with you in spirit and always will be.
I know without a doubt that you will be reunited with her, this is just a little "time out".

Sometimes what looks like the "end" is really a new beginning. And for Linda that means just that, as far as her physical ailments and any other pain, she is free from those limitations and feels the love with and for you much stronger than she ever did before. The love between you NEVER dies, and you guys were so extremely blessed and fortunate to share such a deep love with one another.

Please take some comfort in knowing that you have been an exemplary husband and devoted spouse. You finished strong, and so did Linda!

You will see each other again, but for now, a time of rest between courses!!!

My condolences from Down Under ABQ John, I am sure that I know the pain that you must be feeling at this time, but be assured that your Linda will be walking beside you, watching over you, My Tony has been gone 31 years this November, and it is just like it was yesterday, the memories, of the happy times, and even the sad times, are always there to carry you forward each day on your new path.
God be with you John, I remember our Chats at DCP

Peace Rossi

John:

Please accept my condolences. God bless you and yours.

May a share a small something? I noticed the other night -- Christmas night -- we both posted hoiday menus, sort of (yours was in the morning, I think). Then just today I was thinking of a Thanksgiving dinner I had at home back in my college days where I invited a class-mate or two over. My grandma was about 90 then, and she was the life of the party. To this day, I remember feeling an unusual, and very pleasant, glow after the meal. I can't really capture it again in words but life sparkled that afternoon in a special way I have never really experienced before or since. Soon thereafter, my Grandma began her decline, but for me it will always be that glow on that day. I don't know why that struck me today but I thought I ought to share it.

Again, please accept my condolences and God bless you and yours.

Chuck in Houston

John,

I am so sorry for your loss. Together you and Linda inspired all of us by your mutual devotion. We all know that you did everything you possibly could to help Linda, and without meaning to sound presumptuous, you can be especially proud. I never had the pleasure to meet Linda, but I did speak with her once on the phone. She was gracious.

Linda is not gone, she is in a different state of being. Her spirit and goodness are in you and are all about you.

John,

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. In remembering back to our days during and after the 2004 campaign, late nights moderating, many of these memories have faded a bit with time. The things I do recall are your love for Linda and your boys. After the election, I remember that you were rock solid, not shaken but still looking for answers. So you got to work investigating the inconsistencies of results in New Mexico. Wasn't there one precinct with something like a couple thousand votes for Bush, when there weren't even that many people living in that precinct? It was hard to figure out, but you were dogged and determine to try, and we were all thankful for your determination. Well it was hard to make sense of that, and I can't begin to imagine how much harder losing Linda is. I hope you can spend some time with your family, and with your K/E / DCP family to help heal the wounds you must be feeling right now.

Hang in there buddy,
Mark Brisky

I am so sorry John.

I wish I could hug you.

The best compliment I ever got was from John.

I wrote a love poem for my man, and posted it here.

He said 'It makes me remember how much I love my wife'.

I thought 'Awww! Lucky woman!'

My prayers are with you John.

Thanks everyone, keep them coming...we spoke with John earlier and he has been reading these great statements of support, and he will answer when he can. Meanwhile, he is grateful and full right now.

I have to post about how so much my DCP Family and Friends have helped get through this tragic day. I cannot express how much it has helped. I LOVE my family. Karen and Richard haved helped me get through the most horrible day in my life and I will love them forever for that today. I need to post later. Till then.

John,

It was so heartbreaking to listen to you update me and all of us on Linda's condition throughout the past few years. Linda was a very sweet person, and her passing is a huge loss for ALL of us at DCP.

I still feel bad about not stopping by at your place last year, when I was passing through Albuquerque (and V was there).

Thank you so much for being part of our family, and for taking good care of Linda, over the past years. Linda will continue to be with us in spirit, and please continue to be with us and fight for change - that will be the best way for all of us to honor her memory.

Ally

John
It's later in the day and still thinking of you, glad you were able to check in and know we're all hear for you and with you.

John
I'm sad for you and your family over your loss. I read your words here occasionally over the past year since I joined. And perhaps I responded at times. I didn't know about Linda and her struggles. From the words I've read here today on this blog Linda was a person who will be remembered for a very long time.

During this time of sadness, reflect on the celebration of Linda's life and how you are all richer for having had her in your lives. I doubt that there will be a day go by that you don't think of her. There is a huge hole in your soul right now. It will slowly fill with all the blessings that Linda brought to your life.

John,

I have been thinking about you and Linda all day. I was remembering how the last time she spoke with me, she was happy because you guys had gone out to the store. I think she had mentioned some stuff you needed to fix.

Anyways, today seems sort of unreal to me, so I know you must be struggling to take it all in too.

Just hang tight to the love you both shared.

For all who posted on this thread--and especially, ABQ John

Dear ABQ John -

There are no adequate words I could write to express my condolences over the loss of your dearest Linda, so I will send (((HUGS))) to you and your family instead. When words fail or are meaningless, hugs always helped me through the greiving processes. I don't remember most of the words that were spoken to me when I was first grieving because clarity zoomed in and out, but I do remember the hugs. I hope you and your family and friends share many hugs in remembrance of Linda at this difficult time.

I can't pretend to know what you are going through because each person experiences grief differently, but I sympathize greatly in at least one respect. I lost both of my parents to two different lung diseases 19 years apart, same month. It was difficult, but eventually I adjusted to their absence in my life. I still miss them, although they've been gone since 1975 and 1994.

May your mourning adjustment come with many happy and gentle memories of your sweet Linda.

With deepest sympathy and many hugs,
NonnyO

Back at night after having gone to my son's CD release party. When I lost my dad, what really helped was long walks around a local lake, and I would light a candle for him. I hope that you have made it through this day ok, and that you get some sleep. Take care of yourself.

Love and peace,

DiAnne

Thank you again to my DCP Family & Friends. It is only with the help of others that I got through what was arguably the worst day of my life. I sobbed every time I saw the page because of the love and concern everyone showed. Even my ex-wife called yesterday to offer her condolences because Linda always treated her with grace and respect.
Blessings and peace from me to you.

Love, abq

Woz, I am not sure how you missed knowing about Linda and John, but what you missed was a true love story.

I will never forget me and John talking about how a touch can last a thousand years and a kiss 10,000 more. We spoke of how true love is immortal.

It is impossible to see his words about her and not realize how deeply in love they are.

A love like that can never die. Time will never diminish it.

I know you are hurting John, but... I think you are one of the luckiest men on earth.

To be truly loved is something all of us want to be, but few of us rarely will find such a perfect union of souls. There are so many people on this earth who need love, but will never be blessed with its' presence.

The love John and Linda shared will outlive both of them.

Good vibes headed your way John.

If you need anything at all, let us know.

Deepest sympathies from Lou and Mark from Iowa.

And a thank you for always being one of the good guys, it matters much.

Our thoughts are with you during this time of loss.

Walk in peace.

Merle and I send our thoughts and prayers to you, John and your family. We know through your words of the deep love both Linda and you shared for each other. We're here if you need us.

John:

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I cannot imagine or begin to imagine what that pain would be. I only know that in my heart I wish you my love and condolences and a prayer that Linda's spirit is at peace.

In the spirit,

John...

I haven't been online the last few days due to this and that over the holidays, but just logged on and saw this thread.

I'm not sure I could say much more than others in this wonderful community of true compassion hasn't already said, but suffice it to say, my thoughts and prayers are with you and yours during not only these difficult days, but in the challenges that lie ahead as well.

As I read the posts above, a song popped into my head, as usual... this was actually our wedding song, but the chorus of it just sprung to mind...

So tonight I'll ask the stars above
And how did I ever win your love?
What did I do, what did I do, what did I say
To turn your angel eyes my way?

- from John Hiatt's "Angel Eyes"

Peace to you, my friend

John

Thinking of you on this day John, it is New Year Down Under, knowing that the end of 2007 bought you such pain, losing your Linda, I am hoping you have a safe and happy New Year, knowing that even though Linda will not be with you, she will most assuredly be walking with you in spirit.

Peace Rossi