“I wish we had danced more” was one of the last “we” things that Jimmy said to me. Less than a week later, on April 13, 2006, my high school sweetheart and husband of 33 years died of Burkitt’s Lymphoma. He was sick for barely a month. He was just 56. While I was waiting for his death to sink in, I’d sit on the floor of my closet, talking directly to my husband’s shirts and pants. They were unresponsive, but I knew in my heart that his Dockers missed me very much, too. Soon I found myself writing a blog about being a widow. In between the pain was humor, lots of it. The blog became a book; POOR WIDOW ME: Moments of feeling & dealing & finding the funny along the way. It’s a collection of 84 moments that define my life as a widow.
Jimmy & Me at Jamaica High School Prom 1968
Excerpts from “Poor Widow Me”
one more time
A few months after Jimmy’s death, our nephew Chuck was in my kitchen, reminiscing. “I keep thinking about how Uncle Jimmy would sit right here, and I couldn’t pass his chair without him expecting a back rub. I didn’t always want to. But he was pretty demanding. Now, if I could do it one more time…” I thought to myself, I know what he means. I feel the same way about the blow jobs.
sex & jewelry
This evening I wore that stupid bracelet that’s impossible to take off by myself. Jimmy used to bargain with me. With a sly smile he’d say, “I’ll help you, but how much is it worth to you?” Some wives have sex to get jewelry. I had sex to get jewelry off.
Widows will find comfort, inspiration and laughter here. It’s a humorous, touching read and, in the words of the late Jimmy Scibelli, ‘Abbondanza!’ An amusing, heartfelt look at life after loss.
KIRKUS REVIEWS
I love this book!! POOR WIDOW ME is not just for widows. It’s for anyone who’s suffered a loss and can use a sassy best friend. Carol’s empathic writing and sweet humor will touch anyone who is smart enough to pick it up. Bravo, Carol – for going where no widow has gone before.
LISA LAMPANELLI
comedian/actor
www.insultcomic.com
You’ll laugh and you’ll cry and you’ll feel comforted by Carol’s words and support. Her messages are inspiring.
DR. JUDY KURIANSKY
clinical psychologist
TV and radio personality
www.drjudy.com
POOR WIDOW ME is the perfect gift when you don’t know what to say. Carol Scibelli does, and her candid, edgy and genuine take on her life after she lost her husband will make it the new go-to book for widows and widowers.
JILL ZARIN
1st season The Real Housewives of NYC
www.jillzarin.com
Carol Scibelli is funny and quirky, an insightful voice. She’s as quick and witty in person as she is on the page, and she’s always a welcome guest on my show.
Leslie Gold
The Radio Chick
The Gong Show Producer
Brilliant concept and terrific writing. Divorced will relate to POOR WIDOW ME, and I can already see it as a movie or TV series.
PENNY MARSHALL
Actress, Director, Producer
“Poor Widow Me” is a book filled with memories and new beginnings. Carol Scibelli records endearing advice and the comforting actions of others. Somehow she manages to recount bittersweet memories and funny things that occur…She learned to look on the bright side and worked her way through her grief.
Rebecca Johnson
“The Rebecca Review”
5.0 out of 5 stars – Top 50 Amazon Reviewer
COMMUNITY FORUM 04
TOP 50 REVIEWER
HALL OF FAME REVIEWER
POOR WIDOW ME is the manages to console and encourage with just the right touch of humor that comes from the heart and tickles the soul.
SALLY JESSY RAPHAEL