Shirley and I overlooking Branson, Missouri, Summer 2007!!
This is a departure from my normal article but recent tragic events tug on my heart to write this farewell tribute to my loving soulmate, my best friend, confidant, my sister in Christ, my goofy traveling partner, My Everything!!
My beloved wife Shirley was taken from me and many other people she loved and that loved her on April 18 from injuries suffered in a chain reaction traffic accident on the night of April 15, 2008 returning home from a Dodger game. The cause of the 5 car wreck is still under investigation but the emotional devastation to me, your loving husband of over 22 years, her mother, her sisters, her extended families on both sides, and her church family not to mention her friends in the playwright workshops, at work in the studios where she made her living in her day job, or random people she met in her life, always with a smile and often a laugh and a joke. Shirley didn't always need to be the center of attention at a party, but she at least wanted to be invited and joining in on the fun of the party! Shirley celebrated life with a zeal and a passion that few can equal, always trying to better herself and expand her horizons. Her musical tastes ranged from Manilow, to Memphis Blues to scat jazz to movie musicals. She could seem demurrer and sweet at first glance but as performers and fellow writers in her comedy and play writing workshops soon found out, she had a wicked, mischevious sense of humor.
She took her first comedy writing workshop in 2001 at Second City on Melrose next to the Improv and did a rant dressed like a church lady shortly after 9-11 occurred entitled "What the F%^$?" She also did one spot with Big News with another rant similar to that one under the guise of "Community Comments" at Improv Olympics West! Both times her teacher was Michael McCarthy!! Since then, she has written several monologues and sketches for the All Original Playwriters workshop run by her friend, Lisa Soland!
I will most remember my wife for those tender moments of which I cannot detail, those private inside jokes and all the little things she did to show her love for me! (Stop, while I cry again)! We shared so many of life's ups and downs over 26 years that we knew each other since the CSUN days. We were supposed to go the anniversary the other day to celebrate CSUN's 50th birthday and we were going to tell everyone our story of how we met thanks to the ride board in the student union bringing us together. However, she was taken from me 10 days prior in that horrific accident that will be with me till the day I die!
Shirley was the most giving person, generous to a fault, and she had this laugh that just cheered you up from whatever mood you might have been in. She loved to go and experience life, on big trips, or weekend getaways or just a night on a town! We shared so much in common and despite having major disappointments (not being able to bear children), she never let that get in the way of sharing her friends joy when they had children! She was my champion and my soldier in a foxhole whenever I felt trapped in a job or during a family crisis in 2004. She had my back!!
Shirley was a true "angel" that walked this earth for such a short time and we are all the lesser for her not being here now, but we all can be better people for having known her and carrying the positive spirit and zest for life she had here on earth! My faith will keep me strong in the knowledge that she is at peace and I will get to be reunited at some point in the future and then continue one of the great "love affairs" I have ever known. She was my "one true love" and my soulmate and I was lucky to have found a love so deep and so profound, and know I may never get that lucky again!
To any lovers out there, the Don Henley song "New York Minute" is a good song to take heed and listen and live by. Do not take your love for granted, because he/she can be gone in an instant, cherish that love!! To my angel above, I say, Bye for now, I will see you when it is my turn, but like our wedding song says, Our love will be "Always and Forever!!!"
Thank you Craig for sharing this bitter sweet love story about your lovely wife, Shirley. It was inspiring to read about your great love.
I met Craig & Shirley because of our last historic presidential election. Yes, Barack Obama brought us all together. Craig and Shirley shared the same political passion that my husband and I do. On November 8, 2008 Craig & Shirley joined us at our home for a celebratory dinner to celebrate President Obama’s victory. Even though I only met Shirley that one time, I got a true sense of the gentle yet strong woman she was. We had a great evening of stimulating conversation, optimism for our new president and cheer. We were all so happy that our candidate that we had all worked so hard to succeed had won.
During that evening we all got know each other better, and the other important things in our lives that we all enjoyed. Shirley told us all about her play she had written and it was so obvious that she loved writing and creating a story for others to enjoy and share. After that night we were all instant friends. We kept in touch. We encouraged each others endeavors and in this economy had many opportunities to listen to each others problems. We were all so happy that the economic downturn that we had all experienced ...appeared to be beginning to improve for all of us.
It was so apparent how much in love- Craig & Shirley were. After being married so many years... They were still a very loving couple.
I feel lucky to have gotten to know Shirley. My heart breaks for my dear friend Craig. Shirley was the true soul mate to Craig. Shirley will be missed by all who knew her..and so will I. Heaven’s got a new angel. I know she will be with Craig and watch over him...until the day that they meet again in heaven.
I will always remember Shirley’s beautiful smile, her genuine affection, her kind heart, and her fresh perspective and wit.
Rest peacefully Shirley.
Posted by: plm | April 27, 2009 at 10:43 PM