One of the 5 Best Memoirs - by Lauren Sapala

ONE OF THE 5 BEST MEMOIRS I READ IN 2017

Wife, Just Let Go: Zen, Alzheimer’s, and Love 

by Diana Saltoon and Robert Briggs 

For quite a while now, I’ve been interested in death and dying. I’ve noticed that most people pretend that death is something that will really never happen to them, and if you experience the death of a loved one, not that many people feel comfortable talking with you about that experience.

Diana Saltoon’s book, Wife, Just Let Go: Zen, Alzheimer’s, and Love, is a rare breath of fresh air in this realm. She not only talks about death and dying, she dives deep into the ocean of fear, unknowing, resistance, and pain to show the reader her journey to acceptance, and ultimately peace, when faced with the terminal illness and decline of her beloved partner, Robert Briggs. In this slim but powerful volume, we also find memories of Robert’s experiences with the Beat poets in the San Francisco scene in the 1950’s, a meeting he had with Eleanor Roosevelt that left an indelible, lifelong impression on him, and his chilling story of witnessing an atomic explosion as part of a US Army experiment.

We also see how Robert and Diana met, fell in love, and accompanied each other on life’s tumultuous path for over three decades.

Wife, Just Let Go took me only a couple of days to read, but it will stay with me for years. It’s one of the most beautiful books I’ve read in a long time.
(Lauren Sapala at: LAURENSAPALA.COM)

January Book Event at Daedalus Books, Portland, Oregon!

DAEDALUS BOOKS INVITES YOU TO A BOOK READ/SIGNING OF:

Wife, Just Let Go

A duo-memoir by Robert Briggs & Diana Saltoon

book read/signing

7PM

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2018

AT

DAEDALUS BOOKS

2074 NW Flanders St.

Portland, OR 97209

(503) 274-7742

Looking forward to seeing you at Daedalus for a reunion at this event in 

the New Year!

https://www.facebook.com/230588172191/photos/gm.138712816826422/10155907488287192/?type=3

Book Read/Signing of "Wife, Just Let Go" in Berkeley. Photos by Anne Coffelt

Moments of reunion with old and dear friends in the Bay Area. Heartfelt gratitude to my hosts in Marin County for your kind and generous hospitality, to all who were able to come to Berkeley and brave the traffic all the way from the wine country beyond Sonoma in the north and Santa Cruz in the south, for bringing your friends and buying the book for yourself and others. 

***

Great thanks to Judy Seicho Fleischman for hosting the event and to Tim Lane for his assistance

With Mark Ong, book designer of "Wife, Just Let Go," colleague of Robert Briggs Associates and treasured friend of Robert Briggs & Diana Saltoon

Thank you Angie and Terry, for your support with the book and purchasing many copies as gifts for friends.

 

With dear friend and photographer Anne, who traveled miles to the event!

 A truly unexpected reunion! The man who first introduced Robert to me! No words are enough to say, "thank you, Bill!"

Many thanks to Marina, a publishing colleague and wonderful friend who braved miles to Berkeley

Berkeley, California, book launch of "Wife, Just Let Go"

The Berkely, California launch of Wife, Just Let Go, a duo-memoir by Robert Briggs & Diana Saltoon, hosted by Open Source Chaplaincy Care at Chochmat Halev, Berkeley, CA, on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at 7pm – 9pm, was another successful book read/signing event with thanks to Judy Seicho Fleischman and Tim Lane.

An extraordinary love story, Wife Just Let Go are the last words Robert Briggs wrote to his wife before he passed away from Alzheimer’s disease. A publisher, literary agent, and author who deeply felt the influence of the Beat era, Robert never stopped writing, even in his later stages of Alzheimer’s. What began as a promise to publish his last works evolved into this duo-memoir. As his wife, long-time partner and primary caregiver, I joined him in this telling, as a way to restore for the reader, and for Robert, the parts of the story he was losing. My commentary offers the other side of Alzheimer’s: gifts that sustain and inspire loved ones left behind. 

The event turned our to be a warm celebration and reunion with friends who came from near and far and joined in a lively discussion after the read. Friends I had not seen in decades, especially one who first introduced Robert to me! 

Oceans of thanks to Judy Seicho Fleischman of Open Source Chaplaincy Care and to Chocmat Halev for use of their delightful Social Hall. Gratitude and blessings to all who attended!

Judy Seicho Fleischman introducing me to the guests who came to our Berkeley book launch.

With book designed Mark Ong of Side by Side Studio.

A discussion of meditation and its affects on caregiving and Alzheimer's

Questions about caregiving and love 

Our New York book launch of "Wife, Just Let Go," at The Players on Monday, October 30, 2017, was another success with a room filled with friends and old and new acquaintenances. A private, social club, The Players was founded in New York City by Edwin Booth, the noted 19th-century Shakespearean actor. Huge thanks to Ann Vellis, who facilitated the event  Many thanks to Stephen Friedland - aka - Brute Force and to others for their assistance, along with those who came and and bought the book. "Wife, Just Let Go,” the title of the book, are my husband's last written words before he passed away from Alzheimer's, words that resonate and remind me how "letting go" is ultimately a sure way towards freedom and peace. 

Diana Saltoon (c) copyright 2017

Brute Force introducing Diana Saltoon

New Book Launch in New York City

INVITATION TO A BOOK LAUNCH OF

Wife, Just Let Go

A duo-memoir by Robert Briggs & Diana Saltoon

Hosted by Ann Vellis

at

THE PLAYERS

“A Certain Club”

16 Gramercy Park South

New York, NY 10003

Monday, October 30, 2017, 6pm – 8pm

(The Players is a private social club founded in 1888 by Edwin Booth and Mark Twain)

An extraordinary love story, Wife Just Let Go are the last words Robert Briggs wrote to his wife before he passed away from Alzheimer’s disease. A publisher, literary agent, and author who deeply felt the influence of the Beat era, Robert never stopped writing, even in his later stages of Alzheimer’s. What began as a promise to publish his last works evolved into this duo-memoir. His wife Diana, as his long-time partner and primary caregiver joined him in this telling, as a way to restore for the reader, and for Robert, the parts of the story he was losing. Her meditative commentary offers the other side of Alzheimer’s: gifts that sustain and inspire loved ones left behind. Books and CDs will be available for sale; cash or check appreciated.  (Both @ $15.00 each.)

Please contact Diana Saltoon-Briggs at: dsaltoonbriggs@gmail.com if you intend to come to this event.Your name will be placed on a list at the entrance. Thanks! 

Initial Launch of Wife, Just Let Go in SE Portland, OR 9/24/2017

HEARTFELT THANKS to all who came to our book event on September 24^th, 2017 at the Ford, Food & Drink Café in SE Portland, for bringing your friends and buying a book. Becky Doggett's café turned out to be such a great venue for a book signing event. "Wife, Just Let Go,” Robert Briggs’ last words and the title of the book (recommended by Steve Arndt), has now become another vow in my remaining years for, as Robert knew, “letting go,” is indeed, a true way to freedom and peace.

In the making of this book, I was generously and brilliantly assisted by Christine Toth, the best writer and editor I could ever wish for, as well as Noah Devros, who couldn’t be at the event but was wonderfully represented by his parents. So many to acknowledge with gratitude for years of loving support, and you know who you are. Last night’s tribute to Robert was a success because of you. Special thanks indeed, to Stuart Fessant, Tim DuRoche and Andre St. James, the three musicians who played for Robert in his jazz and poetry readings. True to their nature, they came to honor the occasion with their superb improvisations of jazz and kept us all delightfully entertained. Thanks to Laura Stanfil, Portland’s own amazing publisher/writer, for your presence in the event and giving me such a lift with your positive comments.

Diana Saltoon (c) copyright 2017

Many who came to the launch have commented on the cover photo of "Wife, Just Let Go." Courtesy of Christine Toth, who besides being a fine writer/editor, is also an artist and photographer, owner of Indivisible, a Residentally Based Art Gallery.

Now Available on Paypal (see above) for $18.80 (includes shipping)

NEW PUBLICATION!

FROM ROBERT BRIGGS ASSOCIATES 

Wife, Just Let Go:  Zen, Alzheimer’s, and Love

An extraordinary love story, “Wife Just Let Go” are the last words Robert Briggs wrote to his wife before he passed away from Alzheimer’s disease. A publisher, literary agent, and author who deeply felt the influence of the Beat era, Robert never stopped writing. Even in his later stages of Alzheimer’s, Robert was able to share insights into what he called “the power of aging,” and his love of poetry, jazz, and Zen and, in his younger days, meeting his favorite First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. He also writes of his stint in the army as a 2nd Lieutenant when he was ordered with his platoon to witness an atomic bomb explosion at Frenchman’s Flat, Nevada, an experience that forever haunted his imagination. What began as a promise to publish his last works evolved into this duo-memoir. His wife Diana, as his long-time partner and primary caregiver, joined him in this telling as a way to introduce his essays and poems. It provided solace and relief as she witnessed each day the wrenching loss of her husband’s memory and finally his death. She brings a perfect balance to his poems and essays with a more meditative commentary as she examines her own path of pain, grief, and illumination as a caregiver.

Poignantly written yet unflinchingly honest, the book navigates not only the waters of grief and loss, but also the other side of Alzheimer’s: gifts that sustain and inspire loved ones left behind.

Now Available on Amazon for $15