It’s time to write a post I’ve been dreading to write for several years now. Some of my readers already know that my wife has been ill with Alzheimer’s for eleven years, and I’ve kept her at home and have been her caregiver all the way. We are now in the final stages, it appears, and her story is about to end. I will need to give her all my caring and attention through this process, as I’m sure you’ll understand. And while I have no intention of shutting down Centauri Dreams, I do have to pause now to devote everything I have to her. Please bear with me and with a bit of time and healing, I will be active once again.
My heart goes out to you and your wife and I wish you all fortitude.
Take all the time you need, know what your going through, was carer for my wife from 2020 till the end of 2023 when she passed away from cancer.
My thoughts are with you both.
Bless you all
You have a wonderful blog. But of course, some things are far more transcendent than even our love of the stars. It’s our love for the special human beings we meet along the journey.
I have no idea if you’re religious or not, but God bless you and I hope you have all the support you need over this next stage.
I have not been commenting here for quite a while now, but I did keep reading many of your fascinating and excellent posts.
Also, last August it was 20 years since you started your journey of Centauri Dreams. Due to rather busy occupations (poor excuse), I forgot to congratulate you, but I can assure you that your CD has been one of my most favorite websites and a dear part of my life for, I think, some 15 years now. A pied-à-terre, an intellectual home, and a place of kindred minds.
I understand you have been, and are presently still going through very hard times. I wish both you and your wife all the strength, love, support and comfort that you need, and indeed ‘a bit of healing’.
I am sure that you have many friends, whose love, thoughts and empathy are with you.
Paul, thank you for everything and all the best, until we meet here again.
Such a terrible disease – my thoughts are with you Paul. My father had dementia – it is a difficult road to walk.
Understood, my deepest sympathy, take all the time you need.
It is heartbreaking I am sure. I hope we will see you active again in the future. You are by far my favorite, and most literate, blogger.
Paul
I can not only sympathise but also empathise. Although we have never met I have the greatest respect for you and all you do, and like so many other people I will greatly miss your marvellous insights, yet of course we all want you to do what is necessary for you and for your wife. If I can help in any way possible I would be honoured to do so.
With my kindest regards
Steve
I’m so sorry to hear this Paul. My thoughts are with you, your wife and your family. Take all the time you need to heal, we will all be here when you’re ready
My heart goes out to you and your wife Paul. I, and I’m sure all of your loyal community of readers will be thinking of you both at this time.
Take care.
All the best to you and your family Paul during this difficult time. I went through it with my mother 2 years ago so I feel for you. We’ll miss the great posts but you need to take all the time required. We’ll be here when you return as eager as ever for new space stories.
Be well, Paul, and thank you.
I’m sorry Paul. I did not know and that is a lot to take on for a loved one and difficult for the person experiencing it.
I’ve been a reader since I think when you first started up or close to it. I wish you and your wife the best it can be during these times and take care of yourself as well, when you can. With Love. – Carson
Of course everyone understands. We will miss you and your great posts here, but priorities are clear. May you be granted strength as you walk at your wife’s side. Take care. Until we see you again…
Longtime reader, very occasional commenter,
Comment *Mi dispiace molto.
Temo anch’io, di cominciare ad avere, un problema analogo.
Best wishes to you and your family Paul.
My heart does out to you. I’ve just lived that experience, take all the time and support you can.
You have given so much to a community, Paul. Many of the thoughts above I would just like to echo. My hopes and prayers are for you both. In these eleven years that you mention, you have accomplished so much with this institution- and the care that you provided at home. Each of these tasks you took on or were confronted with were herculean – but clearly done with love and dedication.
Paul, I wish you the strength to get through this difficult journey. It’s never easy. Take care of yourself.
We understand. My own wife, Sandra, passed away unexpectedly after almost 44 years of marriage, just 4 months ago. There’s not much more I can say except…we understand.
Paul, you do what you have to do. We and the Universe will still be here for you.
I wish you strength and peace for the period ahead.
Take care Paul, always enjoy reading CD.
Just take care of your wife and of yourself. Love and best wishes.
Bonjour Paul. Je vous fais part de ma plus profonde sympathie et admiration pour cette preuve d’amour pour un être proche ! Looking forward to reading your exciting posts in the future. Take all the time you need. Cordialement. Étienne
Thank you for the time you spent writing your wonderful blog and advocating for interstellar travel. All the best to you and your family during this difficult time.
My thought’s are with you and your family.
Its been a tough few years for everyone and you need to look after your family.
Take Care Edwin
All the best Paul, I hope you have people caring for you as well.
Take care Paul. Blessings to you and your dear wife
Take all the time you need Paul !
My grandmother had it and the hardest bit to bear is they don’t recognise the ones who loved them most.
I’m very sorry for your trouble.
My best wishes go out to both of you.
Paul, as you see, we are all with you today and we will be tomorrow. Sometimes in a text, you have to know how to put parentheses… A bientôt.
Fred – France
My best wishes to both of you.
Sending love to you and your wife.
I can only say may God bless you and your wife during this difficult time. My prayers will be with you.
Dear Paul, let me add another voice of support, well wishes for a sad and difficult period ahead, and gratitude for curating a wonderful blog that provides not only food for curious, dreaming brains, but also respite from the ugliness of much of what the internet has become since the 2000s when I first found your blog. Centauri Dreams will remain in my bookmarks, and frequently refreshed, for however long you need.
You write such an amazing blog. I’m so sorry to hear about your wife. My thoughts are with you and the rest of your family.
May you and your wife have peace and love.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I have enjoyed your writing for years. My heart goes out to you both, and I wish you both the very best.
Best wishes to you both, Paul.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
Sorry to hear that. Best wishes.
Best wishes to you and your wife.
I very much appreciate your website and your work.
Thank you kindly for the enlightenment your writing provides.
.
My best wishes and luck to you in the time ahead.
B
Thank you, Paul, for all you do for us and her. I so appreciate your work. My best wishes to you both.
Sad news, but a very nice thing of you to do and the right priority, my thought will be with you.
And you will be welcome to return with new posts when you feel the time is right.
So sorry to hear this! One reason why Alzheimer disease is so maddening is the phenomenon of “paradoxical lucidity”. Despite the physical changes from the illness, a person often retains the capability to recover, temporarily. If only we could find a way to turn the magic key…! I want to daydream our whole forum could band together, search through the literature, talk about recent developments, rummage through for something useful, but such suggestions rarely go over well. By this point people have heard it all before. But, well, I wish what we all wish!
I wish you all the best. I’ve been reading about some of the latest advances in Alzheimer’s research, but these are almost certainly too late to help your wife.
Thanks for sharing so much with us amidst these challenges. I’ll be waiting patiently to see what comes next for this blog and wish you strength, patience, and grace in these last moments with your wife.
As a long time reader, I am sure your thoughtfulness and empathy will be the best most meaningful care she an receive. Take care, you are never alone.
I’m so sorry to hear that. Take the time you need, we’ll be here for you whenever you are ready to come back.