From the Publishers

In February 2006, John Wong suffered a series of strokes while chopping wood on a frigid day. Headache, fatigue, and unsteady gait became a continual experience for him as a result. In February 2007, his long-time friend Bob David lost his father after seven months of tending to him daily.

That summer, both men participated in another friend's brainstorming session over a web site project to publish academic and political writings. As the session wound down, John, standing with cane in hand, commented on the other friend’s precarious state of health and remarked in jest, "Look at us, we should be doing a web site about falling apart!"

The phrase “falling apart” hung in the air with a resonance we immediately recognized would be felt by most anyone who had lived enough years to experience the deeply challenging personal trials that life invariably presents.

The idea for Falling-Apart.net …and Picking Up the Pieces was born. Its purpose became clear: As people shared truthfully and objectively about their experience, the general store of wisdom would be broadened; readers might make connections that would render greater understanding and compassion and offer hope, insight, encouragement, inspiration, and even humorous relief.

The site went up quietly in the fall of 2008. We hope as the word spreads, more and more thoughtful material will come in, and more and more readers will find it a valuable resource.

We are happy now to present our first ‘official’ e-Newsletter. We aim to send out a new edition of this Newsletter roughly every two months. If you like it, perhaps you will forward it to friends. As always, we invite your comments and responses.

Thanks!
John and Bob

Currently Featured Stories

In Regina, Wilfredo Olmo-Santiago tenderly describes how, from the confines of prison, he married and cared for the woman he loved for 22 years after she was diagnosed with cancer.

…Finally, two weeks later, she came to visit me… She decided to test my feelings for her.

“Would you still love me if I had only one breast?”

“Yes, Regina, I will always love you.”

“What about if I lost both?” she shot back.

“Regina, I don't love you only because of your breasts, or if you have one breast more or one less. Or if your weight goes up to 300 lbs. or drops to 110. I don't base my love for you on those superficial characteristics. I love you for what and who you are inside. Don't worry about those little things because I am not worried about them.”

"I know how attracted you are to lame women,” she responded with a smile… Read the whole story…

Painting Out of Sorrow depicts in words and paintings Claudine Bing’s journey to overcome her grief over the loss of her mother.

In The Anatomy of an Affair, a minister struggles to come to terms with the dissolution of her extra-marital affair.

John Wong continues with dry humor in describing his therapeutic walks with his dog in Further Adventures with Toby, the Natural Therapy Pet: Business is Picking Up.

In Hope and Determination, Latanya Jones conveys her courage and strength as she finds herself incarcerated once again.

Favorite from the Archives

In 28 Days, Gene Mason is mandated to a 28-day drug rehab program. He is startled to find 'residents' who have been there far longer than that! But he also finds some amazing grace there—enough to transform him.

…When they brought me before the judge, my probation officer was nowhere to be found. So my lawyer began outlining the reasons why I needed another chance to recover. All of a sudden, with a burst of energy, the probation officer came running into the courtroom. She was waving my court papers over her head and yelling out to the judge that I had had too many chances. She was full of fire. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her and neither could the judge. My attorney noticed and whispered that I should look at the judge and not at her. I did. Then the judge stopped looking at her and looked at me… Read the whole story…

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