My friend, Marian Fontana, whose firefighter husband, Lt. Dave Fontana, died on 9/11, will be on the radio show, This American Life, on August 27th and 28th.
The show’s theme is: Not What I Signed Up for and Marian’s segment is devastating and incredible. Check local listings for when the show is on in your area. In New York, it will be on at 11 a.m. on WNYC-AM (820 on the AM dial) on Saturday and Sunday. You can listen to it on-line at WNYC.org.
Trust me, you won’t want to miss this.
Since 1998, Marian and I have been in a writer’s group together. Approximately 8 of us (the number varies) meet every Tuesday in a dance studio in Park Slope. We sit in a circle of chairs and read our work – poetry, fiction, screenplays, non-fiction – aloud. We then make gentle comments about one another’s work: we are always honest but in a very constructive way.
Afterwards, we usually go out to a local bar like Two Boots or Santa Fe and talk into the night. My husband calls our group "Writers and Drinkers" because I often come home with the smell of Margaritas on my breath.
Marian started writing "A Widow’s Walk: A memoir of 9/11," in 2002. Week after week she would bring pages to the writer’s group from her work-in-progress. Writing is never easy and writing a memoir about such a painful time is even worse. But she diligently wrote the book in a cubicle at the Brooklyn Writer’s Space on Garfield Place in Park Slope. Naturally, it took longer than she expected. "Reliving that year over and over was like a quiet torture." she told me.
Often in writer’s group, her words made us cry. Other times, her sharp and witty observations made us laugh. Marian is a fantastic mimic, and passages of the book are thick with perfectly rendered dialogue. Marian read her work to us with the skill of the actress she is, accents and all.
The book, which we were privileged to witness from inception to final draft, will be published on September 7, 2005. I feel very attached to the work as I’ve read through it a number of times. It’s like an old friend. And now the world will share in it too. It’s kind of a strange feeling.
Marian and I spoke a lot over the years about how difficult it is to write about one’s life, especially if the work is to be published for all to see. Marian was careful not to hurt the feelings of friends and family. But she was always unremittingly honest. "There were some friends who were scared to see themselves in print. It
Dear Marian,
I have just finished reading your book. I don’t really have anything new to say other then it is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. Part of it will live with me forever and to share so much and to be so honest says alot about you as a person. I wish you and Aidan all the very best. He is blessed to have such a corageous mother and his father sounds a very special man. I hope one day you do find a new love. No one will take the place of your beautiful Dave (I too have a beautiful Dave in my life) but in saying that I believe that there can be more then just one love in our lives.
God Bless
Barbara McKellar
Auckland
New Zealand
24th September 2007
Dearest Marion
I have just finished your book which I read in two days—I couldn’t put it down!!! I am or would like to be your Canadian friend who lives in a small town called Chatham,Ontario, Canada, not far from Detroit. I loved your book and by reading it I feel I have come to know you and your family and I feel sorry for those who don’t. To share something so hard and intiminte with other is amazing. I hope it helped you to praise Dave and to let him and others know the love you had for one another and how you and your families affected each other. I wish we all could find love like that, I’m just sorry you lost yours. But you should feel good at how you lost him, he was helping others out and doing what he loved to do! I would like you to write me back if you are able to just let me know you have read my letter and I would like to know how you and Adian are getting along and of course the families. I see in the comment section you are engaged???? Congratulations~!!!! good luck with your life and how is Adian? Is he growing into a strapping young man??? well take care and I hope to hear from you.
Your Canadian Friend
Laurie King
Please let Marian know how much I enjoyed her book. She is a very strong woman, very courageous and she and her son are always on my thoughts and prayers.
I have had my students (both in The Honors College and in Religious Studies Department at Florida International University) read Marian’s book, view “Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero,” and write commentaries regarding both. The reponses are truly amazing. I am currently working to compile them into a ‘work-in-progress’ anthology.
A Widow’s Walk…is touching and heartfelt. One of the best books I have read. My husband is a police officer and I could relate to her in ways that I have not been able to relate to an author. I am a high school teacher, and her narrative is so descriptive you are engrossed in the reading. She shed light on a subject that many people have been quick to forget about. This novel will make you think twice about hugging your loved ones a little extra tight. Well done, Marian!
My bookclub and I read Marian’s book earlier this year. It’s one of my favorite books.
I also keep a blog. Here’s what I wrote about Marian’s book:
Memorial Day has always been a great day of remembrance for me. After Sept. 11th, I feel honored to have such Great Men and Women in America who are willing to die so I may have freedom. On Sept. 11th, we lost so many Great People in the Twin Towers. I recently read a book written by Marian Fontana who lost her husband Dave Fontana in one of the Towers. Dave was a Firefighter in NY. Marian wrote about her life as a widow, and how Sept. 11th changed her life forever. I praise God everyday for Marian’s Husband, Dave, and the many men like him. How many people did he save to only die himself? How many lives were touched by Dave’s hand? (Marian, Thanks so much for a beautiful book. I will truly treasure your words all the days of my life. Thanks for standing up for what you believe in, and showing women every where we can make a difference. Thanks for becoming the President of the 9/11 Widows and Victim’s Family Association. I am truly proud of you.) How many lives were touched by Sept. 11th? How many lives will never be the same b/c of Sept. 11th? How many children were affected by Sept. 11th?
How many lives are touched my the war going on now? How many of our loved ones are fighting so we can have freedom? I am a member of a small church in my community, and we even have people in the war zones right now who are loved by a member of our church. I keep reading about the war, and all the great obstacles our military faces each day. We are all touched by the war, we may not know it, but every life has been touched.
I am Honored to call myself an American. I am HONORED to be a part of our countries past, and I am Graced with the opportunity to see our country grow. I am not saying America is perfect. I am saying we are truly blessed to be part of the Greatest Nation on Earth who has thousands of Men and Women who are willing to fight for our lives, freedom, happiness, and families. Lord, Bless, Guide, & Protect our Military, Government officials, and their families left behind. Give them Strength, Comfort, and Peace.
This is pretty long for “just” a comment, but I think the Widows from 9/11 need to be honored as well. I am truly honored to have read Marian’s book. Please tell Marian her book is beautifully written. How do you truly tell someone a book you read completely changed your life? Marian’s book showed me a different side to life, and for that I am blessed and thankful!
I’m looking forward to it too.