Mary Holdeman, Eric’s Wife, Has Passed Away

Yes, my wife, Mary, died suddenly following a recent hip surgery. She died at home and it was very, very quick — a blessing.

I’m telling you this because we were married for 52 years. Throughout my career in the Army and then in different emergency management positions, she was my rock. She was also sometimes my editor and spelling and grammar checker for op-eds and articles. She corrected my run-on sentences and confused use of tenses, and she loved commas.

Who I am could not have been possible without her. We were a team and she supported me unequivocally. On vacations, she would sleep in and I'd be up early blogging or writing.

I owe much of who I am to her. Her love and partnership in life will be missed greatly. Through the tears I know that life will go on. There will be more disasters to comment on. My personal disaster happened on Nov. 10. Now the recovery process begins (without FEMA Individual Assistance, I might add).

Be well, hug your loved ones and tell them you love them. You don’t know when there won’t be another chance to do so. Live a life of no regrets!