HeyJaredErica’s Promise
I have written my memoir about my husband's choice to end his life on his own terms - to die with dignity and how I helped orchestrate his death. This substack is about becoming a debut author and widow.
- Indexed issues, last 90 days
- 5
- Latest publication
- Sep 21, 2026
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- Jul 7, 2026
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Mama Nature (opens the original)
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Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published“I shall not drop my leaves this year”, said the tree “Well, then, the Queen can be happy with no mating”, buzzed the drone While the annual in the garden whispered, “I am going to force my flower to bloom forever.” Hard for us to accept Tears mark the ends We search our world to see how we fit We too have a birth A life And a death. Some learn acceptance And gratitude Some rebel With stubborn denial Look around N
Our Songs (opens the original)
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Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedIt began with Neil Hello Again We parted often Only to return We said our vows With Hello on our lips Holding hands to Hello Again To say, “I love you.” Bette gave us The Rose Whose petals serenaded us For forty-one years White roses sang the words of love “I say love, it is a flower And you, its only seed.” He handed me the buds Planted and ready to grow I carried its growth on our wedding day And every April 17 In our gard
How to Talk to Family about End Of Life (opens the original)
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As you all (probably) know, I wrote a book called A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love, and it chronicles the journey of my husband John’s Alzheimer's diagnosis and his choice to die on his terms. But behind that story is the story that I had to know what John’s wishes were long before we ever had a diagnosis. I had to learn how to navigate the politics of choosing this method, and, I had to help John pick the day. It was a lot for me, it would be a lot for anyone dealing with
Three Years (opens the original)
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I count things. I am not sure if this makes my life harder or has no effect. Regardless, I count. I feel like it happened yesterday and, at the same time, it feels like John has been gone for a very long time. It is time for him to come home.The third anniversary of John’s death is today.So much has changed and yet, so much is the same. I sleep in the same bed where he slept with me. Only now, I sleep alone. I am aware each night, as I pull down the sheets and snuggle myself under the covers, th
At Peace (opens the original)
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Today he rests. Out of the hiding place. Today is June 26, exactly one month prior to John’s third anniversary of his death. His yahrzeit.I woke up knowing this was the day I would finally make peace with my fear. I felt anxious and melancholy. The day the ashes came three years ago was dreadful. An unexpected doorbell ring and a man asking me to sign a receipt sent me into hysterical sobbing on my stairway. I knew they would come at some time, but not so soon. Thankfully, Judy, my sister, was w
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