tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post2064711115365978872..comments2024-02-15T02:46:48.670-05:00Comments on Erin O'Brien: Forty nine is seven squaredErin O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09089592061725346901noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-47576491506273342512009-05-22T08:04:05.616-04:002009-05-22T08:04:05.616-04:00Thanks to everyone for the nice comments. Yesterda...Thanks to everyone for the nice comments. Yesterday was a tough day.<br /><br />As for "Better," it was complete at the time of John's death.<br /><br />Kiss the babies. And love on each other.Erin O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09089592061725346901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-24270502090991104722009-05-22T01:38:44.267-04:002009-05-22T01:38:44.267-04:00Erin,
Posthumous is never good, particularly w...Erin,<br /><br /> Posthumous is never good, particularly when it is applied to a family member. I can't imagine how John's death has impacted you and your family. <br /><br /> This being said ...<br /> <br /> Posthumous carries a very significant connotation for me.<br /> <br /> I had the very difficult task of escorting SPC Arden Bradley Cooper's mother around Fort Hood in 1991 after we came back from the Gulf (Cooper was killed on 20 February, 1991, in Southern Iraq). My task was to take her to the 1st Cavalry Division Museum, and show her around.<br /><br /> I did this as best I could. At the end of the tour, I suggested she visit the gift shop - there are things she might be interested in, you see. She replied "I have all the mementos I need." What a classy lady. Boy, did I feel like a complete idiot. <br /><br /> Her son, SPC Ardon Bradley Cooper was awarded the Silver Star, posthumously the next day. He earned it using his own body to protect another soldier during an artillery attack via the Iraqis. I know he earned it because I saw it happen from a distance of 100 meters. There was nothing I or any of my company could have done to save him - he willingly used his own body to save a friend. And the posthumous award of the Silver Star (our nation's third highest award for gallantry in armed combat) was richly deserved IMHO.<br /><br /> So I think I know what you mean by posthumous. I'm sure John is looking down on you, smiling. If I were him, and knew how well you write, I'd be doing the same thing.<br /><br />AlAl The Retired Army Guynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-39528067465344702282009-05-21T23:09:33.387-04:002009-05-21T23:09:33.387-04:00I love you Erin. Thanks for posting this! "Better"...I love you Erin. Thanks for posting this! "Better" - the title has intriqued me!<br /><br />xoxoxoxoAnavid Readingshttp://anavidtarotreadings.synthasite.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-68934795356592305462009-05-21T22:12:25.809-04:002009-05-21T22:12:25.809-04:00Erin, my friend, you're incredible. Suitably busy...Erin, my friend, you're incredible. Suitably busy and definitely personal. I like.paul bitzanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03305722333801535098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-92178588932586830682009-05-21T20:55:32.418-04:002009-05-21T20:55:32.418-04:00Hi Erin. I saw Bob at Carthage College (a Catholic...Hi Erin. I saw Bob at Carthage College (a Catholic college) a few years ago and there were no protests. I guess the bible thumpers took that day off.<br /><br />http://www.livedaily.com/news/7077.htmlTobyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13543709819692124443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-45782241273450459742009-05-21T20:20:17.078-04:002009-05-21T20:20:17.078-04:00The novel sounds pretty good.
Did somebody have t...The novel sounds pretty good.<br /><br />Did somebody have to finish it?<br /><br />Just askin'...Zen Wizardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10932736559039078183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-33302174002629948312009-05-21T19:14:16.081-04:002009-05-21T19:14:16.081-04:00Pythagorus led a cult that worshipped whole number...Pythagorus led a cult that worshipped whole numbers.<br /><br />Just sayin'.<br /><br />Noah is sailing in the ark, and things are going well. All the animals are fornicating.<br /><br />Except the snakes.<br /><br />Noah asks God,<br />"whassup wit dat?"<br /><br />God instructs Noah to use some extra wooden beams he had brought on board to build a stout platform in the ship's hold, and then place the snakes upon it. <br /><br />He does so, and the snakes go to it like politicians at an economic development seminar in Belize.<br /><br />Noah asks God,<br />"whassup wit dat?"<br /> <br />God replies, "Why, any adder can multiply on a log table, Noah."philbillynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-27715464004084037972009-05-21T17:29:45.749-04:002009-05-21T17:29:45.749-04:00you know, there are many times when i HAVE to be c...you know, there are many times when i HAVE to be cerebral in my work, or in my interaction with others (colleagues, mostly), or even in some of my writing. <br /><br />but not to-day. and not here. because this is you, here. and so, may i say Ms. O'Brien:<br /><br />that was a motherfucking brilliant post! sometimes we barely touch 'em (and it's ok, 'cause they count too), and sometimes we knock 'em out of the goddamn ballpark. this is the latter.<br /><br />cheers!(S)winehttp://swine.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-18227003703023147692009-05-21T15:43:54.668-04:002009-05-21T15:43:54.668-04:00That was so very powerful. Every time I read one o...That was so very powerful. Every time I read one of your posts about your brother, I get all weepy. Your love for him was, and still is, so amazingly intense. The way you express all that emotion through your writing is so vivid. These are some of your best posts. (((Big Hugs)))dogsdontpurrhttp://dogsdontpurr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-72804909142793330892009-05-21T14:35:30.686-04:002009-05-21T14:35:30.686-04:00Erin, you are my good Friend!Erin, you are my good Friend!Tobyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13543709819692124443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-68664621576727378862009-05-21T14:33:57.990-04:002009-05-21T14:33:57.990-04:00What an Awesome Day!!! I love the math. An old jok...What an Awesome Day!!! I love the math. An old joke says a man was playing the lottery and he picked the number 49 And WON! When asked how he picked the number he said 7 x 8. The guy said that makes 42. The winner said, you do the math.Tobyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13543709819692124443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-38130693712975206732009-05-21T14:08:45.647-04:002009-05-21T14:08:45.647-04:00{{{hugs}}} /lifts glass for John.{{{hugs}}} /lifts glass for John.Libby Spencerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01915834698802726985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-69470834849742497252009-05-21T13:31:20.612-04:002009-05-21T13:31:20.612-04:00I think Io may have told you this, but your brothe...I think Io may have told you this, but your brother and my dad shared the same birthday. He would have been 83 today.<br /><br />Love ya, Erin!Halhttp://thespyants.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-55014256670659698162009-05-21T13:28:18.387-04:002009-05-21T13:28:18.387-04:00I am soooo reviewing this one.I am soooo reviewing this one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-82313010573143942832009-05-21T11:35:26.821-04:002009-05-21T11:35:26.821-04:00Well, I was -2 49 years ago. Negative, too? No, (i...Well, I was -2 49 years ago. Negative, too? No, (is that a double-negative?) I'm positive that I see the talent that is O'BrienX2 and I definitely see the infinite sisterly love... Peace to you, Erin.Whitenoisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10663181100374858553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-70701423078840333842009-05-21T11:21:18.011-04:002009-05-21T11:21:18.011-04:00I know it's probably inappropriate to say but "las...I know it's probably inappropriate to say but "last posthumous novel" has an odd quality to it as well. Don't know that it can be reduced to numerals though.<br />I also keep thinking about that quote "Death ends a life but not a relationship" I think from "Tuesdays with Morrie."<br /><br />RJAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-24576490287232660012009-05-21T10:30:45.325-04:002009-05-21T10:30:45.325-04:00Beautiful words (and numbers), Erin.Beautiful words (and numbers), Erin.Geoff Schutthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625861676022619006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-48003725263542166882009-05-21T10:04:25.788-04:002009-05-21T10:04:25.788-04:00Having lost a son at 43, I can share your pain. 4 ...Having lost a son at 43, I can share your pain. 4 and 3 was not so lucky, it added up to snake eyes.Tony Rugarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00910845749524161115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18122582.post-562731628176933092009-05-21T09:58:15.115-04:002009-05-21T09:58:15.115-04:00I was 8 days old when John was born. I'd like to w...I was 8 days old when John was born. I'd like to work that number into the 49 that he would have been, and the 49 that I am now, but it doesn't go.<br /><br />I will sure enough buy that book when it is out.deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07410064795682939760noreply@blogger.com