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In Memory of My Wife, Elise Cawley, with Thanks for 36 Wonderful Years

writings.stephenwolfram.com

31–40 of 108 posts

Re: In Memory of My Wife, Elise Cawley, with Thanks for 36 Wonderful Years

#31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A read a story of a guy who bumped into him at conference and had some sort of conversation. The following week he received a follow-up from Wolfram's office with his assigned conversation number. The number was to be used for all follow-ups.

There are probably lots of stories from various people, but here is one: http://blog.wilshipley.com/2010/03/ted-2010.html#:~:text=%E2... (If the location link doesn't work, scroll down about halfway to the story next to his photo.)

Probably I used to read his blog.

Re: In Memory of My Wife, Elise Cawley, with Thanks for 36 Wonderful Years

#32
post #20

This is a moving tribute. Stephen Wolfram's writing often has certain faults, which I mention only to be able to say that he has here transcended them; this is a genuine and heartfelt piece of writing which makes me feel sad for his loss.

Yes, it's a very well written, touching tribute and I think it's all the more touching when you're familiar enough with Wolfram's writings to notice the contrast here.

Re: In Memory of My Wife, Elise Cawley, with Thanks for 36 Wonderful Years

#33
post #23

It's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all, but, god damn does it still hurt to move through that loss. I'm glad it was fast and painless for her and her family.

[flagged]

My understanding is that these catastrophic events typically leave the victim unconscious before they have much time to suffer. I'm not an expert so I'm prepared to be wrong. I hope that was the case for her. I'm aware it could have hurt, too — I suppose the sentiment is that this wasn't a drawn out, needlessly arduous event of waiting and suffering.

Re: In Memory of My Wife, Elise Cawley, with Thanks for 36 Wonderful Years

#34
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

My understanding is that these catastrophic events typically leave the victim unconscious before they have much time to suffer. I'm not an expert so I'm prepared to be wrong. I hope that was the case for her. I'm aware it could have hurt, too — I suppose the sentiment is that this wasn't a drawn out, needlessly arduous event of waiting and suffering.

My understanding is that people have enough time to register "holy fucking shit, this is it, I'm about to die" before they pass out.

That's why they archetypically clutch their chests.

Re: In Memory of My Wife, Elise Cawley, with Thanks for 36 Wonderful Years

#35
post #23

It's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all, but, god damn does it still hurt to move through that loss. I'm glad it was fast and painless for her and her family.

[flagged]

> she had a freak, vast cardiovascular event—and died instantly

> But then, soon after, disaster struck, and she collapsed, the victim of a massive cardiovascular event. My only solace in this tragedy is that the end came instantly

Perhaps because you are contradicting the author of the tribute with your own unfounded assumptions about the particulars of her passing. I would wager he knows a little bit more about what she experienced than you, surmising in generalities, do. And really, what is the purpose of this quibbling? "Ah yes, I can't let this grieving man have any comfort -- I must assert that actually, his wife must've suffered quite a lot before she died".

Re: In Memory of My Wife, Elise Cawley, with Thanks for 36 Wonderful Years

#36
> But from that moment on we talked essentially every day for 36 years

Man. Our culture is speed running away from one of the greatest joys you can have in your life (a healthy relationship). Stephen, if you can see this, thank you for opening up. Wishing you comfort and peace.

Re: In Memory of My Wife, Elise Cawley, with Thanks for 36 Wonderful Years

#37
This was really moving and sincere. It made me think of my dad's catastrophic stroke while recovering from brain surgery. I wish that, like Wolfram's wife, he had died instantly on the operating table instead of enduring six years of agony for himself and everyone else.

Re: In Memory of My Wife, Elise Cawley, with Thanks for 36 Wonderful Years

#38
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

> she had a freak, vast cardiovascular event—and died instantly > But then, soon after, disaster struck, and she collapsed, the victim of a massive cardiovascular event. My only solace in this tragedy is that the end came instantly Perhaps because you are contradicting the author of the tribute with your own unfounded assumptions about the particulars of her passing. I would wager he knows a little bit more about wha…

[dead]

Re: In Memory of My Wife, Elise Cawley, with Thanks for 36 Wonderful Years

#39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A read a story of a guy who bumped into him at conference and had some sort of conversation. The following week he received a follow-up from Wolfram's office with his assigned conversation number. The number was to be used for all follow-ups.

I remember reading about a personal CRM project called Monica years ago. Does anyone here still use it? Is there an actively maintained alternative?

There was also iwantsandy but that might be a bit too obscure now!
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