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HUNWICK, England — A 92-year-old man who took to the Internet to help himself deal with the loss of his wife ended up touching people worldwide with his story of love and loss.
George White started his blog on Christmas Eve, writing that one month ago he lost his wife, Mima. He said he had come to terms with the loss after 67 years of being happily married, but was going to Switzerland with his son for a few weeks "to recuperate."
"I would like to share my adventures with you, and at the end of it I hope to feel a lot better," he said. "I hope you enjoy what follows."
Readers worldwide picked up on White's blog, overwhelming him with well-wishes and tales of their own loss. More than 100 people commented on the initial post, most offering condolences. Some were reminded of family members of their own.
"I lost my dad almost 5 years ago," a commenter called Huma wrote. "I miss him and think/talk to him every day! We were very close. Thank you for sharing ur journey on here with others. It is inspirational."
Another, Claire, said her grandfather died two years ago, and her grandmother refuses to travel without him. "It's so sad," she said.
White posted five times over the course of a week, writing about his journey to Switzerland — the flight was "brilliant" — and the things he saw on his journey. He tried to enjoy himself, because he said that is what he knew his wife would want him to do.
Some readers saw their own future in White's words.
Eventually, the intense amount of feedback White recieved became too much. On New Year's Eve, he posted a final time and deleted all the others. The cached pages are still available, though.
"I have been overwhelmed by the vast amount of best wishes and encouragement," he wrote. "These have been much appreciated and given me strength." He said he could not manage the responses as he tried to recuperate and maximize his holiday time.
"I wish everyone of you good health and happiness for 2013, thank-you so so much."
