Missing My Friend by taffy

Missing My Friend

After our house fire and before we could move into our current condo, Junko @jyokota and Bill opened their home to Jim and me. In hindsight, living together has become a treasured gift, having so much time together around the kitchen table, binge watching favorite programs, cooking together, running errands together - it came as close to living with self-selected family as it could possibly have been. And beyond living together, we've literally traveled the world over the past several years - France, Iceland, Beaver Island, Cabo San Juan, Greece, Chile to name a few - building so many wonderful memories. The four of us had planned to grow old together with many more adventures to come. Project 365 was so much a part of Junko's and my time, and Bill was always there - for both of us. It's been hard to come back. As you'll see from Junko's post -- http://365project.org/jyokota/365/2018-02-03 -- Bill was a 'lurker' on this site - never posting, but there to 'fav' when he thought either of us had posted a very, very special photo. It didn't happen often, so meant all the more when I'd see one.
Bill was a very special person. I feel privileged to have been a part of his life. This was the original announcement posted to the professional organizations in which we were active, from the Literacy Research Association and Reading Hall of Fame List Serves, Feb 5, 2018:
The world of literacy has lost a great man, and we personally have lost a dear friend and colleague. Bill Teale passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, February 3rd at his home in Evanston, Illinois (USA). Bill was a model husband (Junko Yokota), father (Alyssa, Jeremy), friend, teacher, and scholar. He will be missed more than words can say.
Bill's lasting contributions to the literacy community - locally, nationally and internationally - will be celebrated by members of the many professional organizations with whom he worked, often in leadership positions. For his colleagues at the University of Illinois at Chicago, his loss is unfathomable. In addition to his scholarship, Bill was a tireless mentor to faculty and students alike. He brought both wisdom and a wry sense of humor to everyday academic life.
The four of us - Bill, Junko, Jim, and Taffy - worked together, traveled together, lived together, laughed together and his passing leaves such a hole in our lives.
https://www.literacyworldwide.org/blog%2fliteracy-daily%2f2018%2f02%2f06%2fremembering-dr.-william-h.-teale
I'm so glad you took so many photos of us . . .
February 17th, 2018  
The man will live in on both your memory and your photos! It must be very sad for you Taffy as a personal and great life friend!
February 17th, 2018  
Boo
A fav because memories are very very precious
February 17th, 2018  
My sinceres condolences to both of you @jyokota and @taffy
February 17th, 2018  
Junko, Jim and Taffy - my sincere condolences on the loss of your husband and dear friend. Taffy's collage gives us just a tiny glimpse of the wonderful person that you have suddenly lost from your lives. My thoughts are with you.
February 17th, 2018  
Just dropped into 365 to read this very sad news Taffy. Seems like he was a very special kind of person. Rhoda and my condolences to both you and Junko
February 17th, 2018  
Beautiful photos...everlasting memories.
February 17th, 2018  
Such sad news. Condolences for the loss of such an important friend.
February 17th, 2018  
So sorry to hear. My deepest sympathies Taffy.
February 17th, 2018  
My deepest condolences to you and Junko— hugs to you both and prayers to the family 💐
February 17th, 2018  
I'm so very sorry to hear this, my deepest condolences
February 17th, 2018  
An honorable tribute from professional and personal friend he definitely has put his mark on life and left a wonderful legacy for his family, friends and much much more. Thank you for sharing and keep the joy in your hearts with the memories you have that will live on forever. @jyokota
February 17th, 2018  
What sad news and I'm sooo sorry. Words are never adequate in moments like these. I will say though, that my heart goes out to you, Junko @jyokata and Jim as well as family and friends. May all find peace, comfort and the strength to cope. Hugs.
February 17th, 2018  
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear friend. Your collage is such a beautiful testament to Bill and your times together.
February 17th, 2018  
Oh how sad to hear of the loss of your wonderful friend. I'm sure you will have many treasured memories of him.
February 17th, 2018  
Hugs to you, Taffy. Beautiful words and photos.
February 17th, 2018  
With much sadness I extend my heartfelt condolences to @jyokota , yourself Taffy and Jim at this untimely sad news . Take care of one another while you struggle on to come to terms with your sorrow and grief ! Take Care xx
February 17th, 2018  
Bill sounds an amazing man, true friend indeed. Your foursome will be berift. Junko is lucky to have you to support her & each other.
February 17th, 2018  
Such a sad loss but better to have known him. Condolences.
February 17th, 2018  
Thank you Taffy for giving us a glimpse of what a wonderful man Bill was. He will indeed leave a great hole in all your lives. Photographs and sharing memories will help but nothing will make up for your loss. My love to all of you.
February 17th, 2018  
What a heart-warming compilation of photos to celebrate Bill's life and involvement with you and Jim. My heart feels a bit removed from me as I think of our dear friend, Junko @jyokota and how any of us would feel without such special husbands. I'm honored to have met the nicest of men whom I only learned later was such a pinnacle in his profession. My thoughts have been with you all daily... Thank you, Taffy, for posting this and letting everyone know.
February 17th, 2018  
You are all in my deepest thoughts as you try to cope with this sudden passing of such an astute person who touched so many people's hearts throughout his life. You collage is certainly a beautiful tribute. Virtual hugs from across the ocean to you all in this sad, sad time.
February 17th, 2018  
A wonderful tribute to your friend, Taffy. So sorry for your loss, condolences to you all.
February 17th, 2018  
I am so sorry. Bill sounds like a remarkable man who touched so many people and made the world a better place. Your photos and words are a wonderful tribute.
February 17th, 2018  
Oh Taffy such sad news. What a lovely collage in memory of your friend Bill, he sounds like a beautiful person. You will miss him terribly. I am sure Junko will appreciate the support of you and Jim at this sad time. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
February 17th, 2018  
Such a moving tribute. I have tears in my eyes and pain in my heart for you and Junco.
February 17th, 2018  
Thoughts and prayers going out your way too.
February 17th, 2018  
Such a clearly love filled collage..so heartbreaking
February 17th, 2018  
Such a beautiful collection of memories Taffy! Junko and her family and also you and Jim have been in my thoughts daily. My heart breaks for you all as I know Bill will be so missed by each and every one of you. Such sadness and it’s impossible to find adequate words! Fav for this wonderful very moving collage! Sending love and hugs xxx
February 18th, 2018  
Sorry to hear about this gentleman, Literacy is such a gift, as a lover of books I salute Bill and offer Junko my best wishes, that the gifts her husband endowed on others will comfort her in the days and years to come.
February 18th, 2018  
Just read the link wish I knew such a man. RIP BILL
February 18th, 2018  
Well this was news I could have done without - what a terrible thing to lose a friend and loved one without any warning... not that a warning would have eased the blow any. Treasure the pain - it's a clear witness to how much you loved him... and weep a lot of cathartic tears.
February 18th, 2018  
Such beautifully written words Taffy. Im sure Bill would be so very proud to read this. Sending you hugs from Australua.
February 18th, 2018  
The loss of a close friend is one of the most devastating experiences. We choose our friends and they are special treasures. We have to remember how much better our lives were for their presence in it.
February 18th, 2018  
So sorry to hear of the loss of your dear, special friend...A wonderful tribute of photos and words, Taffy.
February 18th, 2018  
A wonderful collage and tribute to your friend. My sympathies and thoughts to you, Jim and Junko x
February 18th, 2018  
Wonderful collection of memories ... so, so sorry for your loss.
February 18th, 2018  
A beautiful tribute and I am so sorry to hear this news. He seemed like a lovely man with a remarkable talent. My thoughts are with you all at this time. @jyokota - Sending you a big hug across the ocean, I am so sorry for your loss x
February 18th, 2018  
Oh Taffy, I"m so sorry for your loss :(. Beautiful memoir though.
February 18th, 2018  
These are great memories. Sorry for your loss!
February 18th, 2018  
Taffy, I’m sorry for your loss and pain. Such nice and warm memories you all made. Cherish.
February 18th, 2018  
and beautiful memories will warm the cold nights of winter and allay the heat of summer sunsets. my deepest condolences, miss taffy.
February 18th, 2018  
No doubt you are hurting. I'm sorry for your loss.
February 18th, 2018  
This is a beautifully written and very touching tribute to your good friend Bill and to Junko too. My heart goes out to all three of you as life moves on with a big hole remaining unfilled. My deepest condolences to Junko, Jim and your good self. He must've been quite a remarkable and talented man, and the world is much poorer for his passing. A good man in all respects.
February 18th, 2018  
So very sorry for your loss, Taffy. My heart goes out to Junko.
...such wonderful photos in your collage
February 18th, 2018  
I am so sorry to read about your deep and unexpected loss. Bill sounds like he was an amazing and sincere person- a rare gem in this day and age. I know you will be missing him for many days to come. My thoughts and prayers will be with all of you as you walk through this days of grief. This is a great tribute to him- excellent photos.
February 18th, 2018  
Taffy, this is the second such loss a friend of mine has suffered. Colton Allen just lost a friend unexpectedly. You are lucky to have had such a great person in your life and his memory will live on and find its way into your beautiful imagery - a person like this leaves a mark that melds to the soul, and the soul is displayed in one's imagery.
February 18th, 2018  
Fantastic collage.
February 18th, 2018  
This is a beautiful tribute to this good man, Taffy. I’m so sorry for your loss.
February 18th, 2018  
What a wonderful photo tribute. So very sorry for your loss.
February 18th, 2018  
so sorry for your sad loss. Lovely tribute.
February 18th, 2018  
Such a wonderful tribute and stunning shots. Heartfelt condolences to you and Bill's family.
February 18th, 2018  
Oh Taffy, when I realised you'd lost a friend, I had no idea that it was Junko's husband. I'm so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful photographic tribute to Bill. A special man indeed. This reinforces what we all know, but forget sometimes - make the most of time and time together. It's not a rehearsal.
February 18th, 2018  
A beautiful tribute. Bill sounds a wonderfully wise and gifted soul and your memories will keep him alive in your heart. Deepest condolences.
February 18th, 2018  
LOvely tribute
February 18th, 2018  
Sounds such a special person and I feel so sad for you. But a lovely tribute and collage
February 18th, 2018  
Sorry to hear of your sad news. It sounds wonderful the times you all had together.
February 18th, 2018  
Such sad news, a beautiful tribute
February 18th, 2018  
I'm so sorry to read about Junko's husband and your friend. Really sweet tribute to him in photos and words.
February 18th, 2018  
Such heartbreaking news and painful beyond words to lose such a loved and treasured friend and colleague so suddenly and so relatively young for these days. My heart goes out to you, Jim and to dear Junko and the children. Your tribute and wonderful photos here are such a treasure and I am glad you have them to remember such a dear one by. Kindest thoughts with you all over the next weeks and months as you adjust to life without him there, though he will always be terribly real in your hearts, I am certain, his indelible mark there. Much love.
February 18th, 2018  
Very sorry that you have lost such a dear friend.
February 18th, 2018  
So sorry for the loss of your friend, a beautiful tribute to him and a lovely collage. Fav!! 😀
February 18th, 2018  
He sounds like an exceptional man, and I can only begin to understand the enormity of his loss to so many people. Your tribute is beautiful and the portrait of him , one to be treasured.
February 18th, 2018  
Oh how sad to hear of the loss of your friend. Fantastic collage
February 18th, 2018  
what a lovely collage but so sorry to hear about your friend
February 18th, 2018  
@jamibann Thanks for your comment, as always. I didn't want to mention who it was since Junko has so many friends on the site. We waited until we could post simultaneously when Junko was ready. It has been really hard to lose one friend and to watch what pain another friend is in. Double whammy. And then of course, Jim's and my own sense of loss but nothing compares to Junko's.
February 18th, 2018  
@pickerandagrinner Oh dear, so sad to read your comment.
February 18th, 2018  
@vignouse I liked reading your philosophy of grief as a measure of how much someone was loved. It meant a lot.
February 18th, 2018  
A wonderful photographic and verbal tribute to a dear friend, thank you
for sharing
February 18th, 2018  
Your words brought tears to my eyes... such sad news! Your collage is such a wonderful tribute!
February 18th, 2018  
I’ve already said it... such a sadness. Some brilliant memories here.
February 19th, 2018  
I'm so sorry for your loss @jyokota and Taffy! What a lovely tribute to a man who has impacted so many lives. May you keep the joy in your hearts with the memories that you have created...........thanks for sharing.
February 19th, 2018  
Deepest sympathies.
February 19th, 2018  
I'm so so sorry to hear about the passing of Bill. I have read with pleasure about the lovely dinners that Bill and Jim would make for you and Junko @jyokota to greet you after your photography. A huge loss for you all. Some lovely photos that you have of him, it looks like he enjoyed life to the full.
February 19th, 2018  
What a great collage and wonderful tribute to a dear friend and colleague. I read your post and Junko's with incredible sadness. I'm sure your friendship will be a comfort to her at this difficult time.
February 19th, 2018  
So sorry to hear of Bill's passing. This is a beautiful collage of your memories with him.
February 19th, 2018  
I'm so sorry to hear about this Taffy. To lose such a dear friend words can't really describe it. My sympathies & thoughts are with you, Jim and especially Junko. You captured so many amazing memories and may those live on.
February 19th, 2018  
A lovely tribute to your dear friend...
February 19th, 2018  
It was very evident how special the relationship was between the four of you. Such a sad time for you all, my heart goes out to you.
February 20th, 2018  
Oh no... my condolences...
What a wonderful remembrance you've created here in tribute to his life. I wish you strength!
February 20th, 2018  
This is so terribly sad. I am so sorry for your loss and Junko's as well. I cannot even imagine this. What a wonderful tribute, Taffy.
February 21st, 2018  


A beautiful and heartfelt tribute to Jim and a wonderful collage including of course, and especially, the sensitive main portrait. Sending all good vibes and kind thoughts.

@jyokota
February 25th, 2018  
I read your post and Junko's with such sadness. A huge shock for you all. Your tribute to your special friend is beautiful.
February 25th, 2018  
I've not been around much but as I attempt to catch up tonight, I am so saddened to see this. I don't know Junko or Bill like you do, nor do I know you as much as some others do here, but I send you positive thoughts and warmth and I hope the days when you can think of him and just smile don't take too long to come around... xo
February 26th, 2018  
Beautiful tribute!
February 27th, 2018  
I have only just seen this. I am so sad to hear of the loss of your great friend and am thinking of you.
March 6th, 2018  
@jocasta Thanks for your kind comment. It's been hard - he was very special.
March 6th, 2018  
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