Best of the Month: Eulogy for My Father, Words for a Young Survivor, The Book That Saved a Life

Highlights From Our October (Plus Our Favorite Readers Comments)

Welcome to Best of the Month, our wrap-up of all our most popular posts and favorite comments from readers like you. We love hearing your feedback -- here on Bulletin, or on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Your feedback helps us learn what you like and build community.

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1. My Eulogy for My Dad

My father was a great and good man who made everyone he touched a little greater and gooder. I hesitated sharing his eulogy in this format but was deeply moved and gratified by your response. Thank you for your kind words.

i lost my daddy January of this year, he also had Parkinson's and he would've been 86 his birthday in July. i feel and believe every bit of he was great and he was good because my daddy was too. we are blessed to have had those wonderful men in our lives and they will live in our hearts forever. thank you. i'm glad this found me this morning on my third son's 10th birthday! what a nice way to start the day. - Becky Wood Boyd

And for kind words about my father:

Thank you for sharing, Mr Ed will be missed but will never be forgotten He is one of the brightest Star up there who taught us to love greatly and patiently! Deepest condolences and prayers to the whole family! - Amoritis Roxas

2. Letter to a Young Patient

This post was personal for me: a letter to a young survivor. "We tried to keep you out of the club. But, no! You had to go and nose your way in. Somehow, we didn’t manage to get the message across: YOU’RE NOT WANTED HERE. But you’re here now. You’re one of us. You’re a survivor.And there are a few things you should know." I hope you enjoy it and share with anyone you know in this situation.

Great piece! This really made me think a lot about what truly matters. - Ryan Huettel

3. A Nonlinear Life: From High-School Dropout to Ph.D.

This post begins a new feature on The Nonlinear Life: a portrait of a nonlinear life well-lived from the 400 life story interviews I've conducted since 2017. To kick off this series: one of my favorite stories of all.

This story reassures me that it’s okay to take a different path! - Susan Drinkdak Nichols

Thanks for this great story! I went from high school drop out and teen mother to a PhD and successful career - it can be done! I’m in the midst of another transition, and it’s so inspiring to remember that passion and will can get you far. I needed this today. - Angela Fontes

1. Are You Facing a Tame Problem or a Wicked Problem?

I love learning about new research that sheds light on the challenges we're all facing right now. In this post: a simple test that can help you decide what challenge to focus on. Is your problem tame or wicked—and what to do when you find out. Plus a bonus—one of my favorite phrases from my dad!

So, so relevant! Your perspectives are helpful. I like your dad’s quote, too. Thank you! - Gail Scotland

Thanks again to all of you for joining us this fall. We have some exciting new features we'll be rolling out in the coming days. And see you in the comments!

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Thanks for reading The Nonlinear Life. Please help us grow the community by subscribing, sharing, and commenting below. Also, you can learn more about me, read my introductory post, or scroll through my other posts.

Or these books: Life Is in the Transitions, The Secrets of Happy Families, Council of Dads.

Or, you can also contact me directly.