I can’t start this week’s Teaser without talking about last week’s, which has drawn 124 comments so far, almost all of which were supportive and compassionate. Many of them began something like “We’ve never met, but …” and then went on to say something about what role the Sift plays in their lives.
I honestly didn’t know that many people read the Teasers. I view Teaser-readers as the inner circle of Sift readers. They’re not coming to this blog because somebody told them about a particular article, they show up to find out what I’m going to do this week. That’s why I’m chattier and more personal in the Teasers.
I process by writing, so eventually I’ll have to say something about grief in general and mine in particular, the way C. S. Lewis did. Probably that will show up on my religious/philosophical blog Free and Responsible Search, but I’ll link to it here. (Coincidentally, the post currently on the top of that blog, which I wrote without suspecting my wife would die a few weeks later, tells you a lot about our relationship.) Writing Deb’s obituary was cathartic in its own way. All along, I had been the household PR person who kept our friends informed during her various illnesses, and this was one last chance to play that role.
Anyway, I was touched by the wave of affection in the comments. The people in my flesh-and-blood community have also been tremendous, and I am being very well supported.
But the world keeps spinning: This week’s featured post is about Democrats not getting ahead of ourselves. “The ball is in Trump’s court” revolves around the idea that Trump has raised expectations he can’t fulfill, and that we won’t know how to run against MAGA candidates in 2026 and 2028 until we know how those expectations fail. So it’s way too soon to talk about candidates and campaign themes. It should post maybe 9:30 EST.
The weekly summary will cover the ongoing public discussion about the CEO assassination and the killer, who has been caught. Also, the signs of powerful people bending their knees to Trump, updates on the turmoil in several foreign countries, and a few other things. I’ll try to get that out by noon, but it might slip.
The Weekly Sift 
Comments
thank you for writing
I can’t believe I missed last week’s Sift in particular, as I am a habitual weekly reader. But when I went back to catch up, the news hit me hard. I don’t know you personally but this blog is important to me and I value your writing. I’m sorry for your loss.
-Will from Boston
I always read the Teaser, because it gets here first — and I’m always curious about what’s coming along next!
Doug, I missed your teaser last week but wanted to say that my thoughts are with you today. I deeply appreciate your weekly posts; you cut through the fog rather well. I’ve trimmed the number of things I “follow,” but yours is one I value. – Dave Britt
Dear Doug,
Deb sounds like a very cool and interesting woman with a heart of gold. Your love for her shines through and I am so sorry for your tremendous loss.
May Deb’s memory always be a blessing for you.
Wishing you as good a Christmas as possible,
Sending peace and light from a Teaser reader and breast cancer survivor in Fort Worth, TX (formerly of NY),
Randee Kaitcer
Hugs
I always read the Teaser, too. And I am deeply sorry for your loss. I was not a math professor by profession, but I was a high school math teacher for several decades. I admire and am inspired by your transition into writer/blogger. I lit a candle for your wife and for you in the little Episcopal Church I attend.
Dear Doug,
We’ve never met, but I wanted to send my
deepest condolences to you and your family. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Please take good care of yourself, as your posts have done so much to care for me and countless others.
My best, Steve Salee
I’m a newer reader of The Weekly Sift. I was saddened to read of your wife’s death, and touched by your honest words to your readers. Thank you for sharing your early thoughts with us and your own process. I find The Sift one of my best sources of commentary. You are thoughtful, concise, respectful, and honesty rings throughout. Thank you. I’ll check your philosophy & religi
I would like to receive your Free and Responsible Search columns/articles/semi-sermons. Is there a way to request that?
Melissa Warner Racine Wisconsin
>
Not that I know of.
Free and Responsible Search is a Blogspot blog, and as such it generates an RSS feed. I subscribe to it using the Feedly RSS reader. (I currently follow a couple of hundred blogs, newspapers, newsletters, and other feeds through Feedly; it’s a great way to organize my daily reading.)
Just so you know, I never skip the “Teaser”. It always gives me a hint as to what I can expect and I haven’t been disappointed yet.
My sincere condolences on the loss of your wife. We all have an end point to this fragile life we live but never know just when that will be. Our task is to contribute in some way to the betterment of humanity each day we live.
I have to imagine that your wife gave more than her share by encouraging your work at the very least.
Tom Webb, Oregon City, OR
I’m a huge fan of the Teasers! Thank you for writing them to give us all something to look forward to later in the day. It’s like an appetizer that really whets the appetite.
I have been an on and off reader and appreciate your words often. I can only say that many have endured a hole in your life like the loss of your spouse. As we often do sometimes we commensurate with others tragedies to try and get through our own. I hope you can pull the strength of your memories to assist you with your loss and understand that we the audience of your wisdom will need to support you as you have us. Thanks again for your mind altering commentary. It has helped me and others. I hope we can support you in this time.
Another “we’ve never met” fellow UU chiming in with condolences. I’ve been reading your writing since 2000ish. The way you write about your marriage has been a beautiful example for me, and I’m so sorry for this loss. Sending you love and light during this transition.
I read last week’s teaser (as I almost always do – though not always on Monday) but, mea culpa, was too jetlagged to form a coherent reply.
At the risk of sounding like a broken chord, we’ve also never met, but I’ve been enjoying your writing for years (both this and FRS) – I’m terribly sorry for your loss, and if there’s anything we can do to help please let us know.
And we’d totally understand if you need to take a breather at some point.