A misty-eyed Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) spoke honestly about her grief during her first TV interview since the death of her husband, former Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), who was the longest serving member of Congress.
“Oh it’s hard, I’m not going to lie to you and I’m trying not to cry,” she told CNN’s Kate Bolduan on Tuesday. “He is the man that I love, we had a love affair that most people never had. … We were a team in every sense of the word. We’re still a team. I know his spirit is in me. I miss him. It’s really hard. I’m not going to lie, but I’m going to be honest about it. I think sometimes everybody tries to be tough and pretend everything’s okay. Everything isn’t okay. I have a new normal and I’m working into that new normal.”
Debbie Dingell gets honest in first interview since John's death: "I think sometimes everybody tries to be tough and pretend everything's okay. Everything isn't okay. I have a new normal and I'm working into that new normal." pic.twitter.com/SCdFxGMfOR
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) February 26, 2019
John Dingell died earlier this month at the age of 92, but maintained his quick wit, which he famously displayed on Twitter, up until the end.
The Lovely Deborah is insisting I rest and stay off here, but after long negotiations we've worked out a deal where she'll keep up with Twitter for me as I dictate the messages. I want to thank you all for your incredibly kind words and prayers. You're not done with me just yet.
— John Dingell (@JohnDingell) February 6, 2019
Sending all my love and good thoughts to Rep. Dingell.
There are a lot of reasons not to be sad because we know John Dingell’s life was by any measure impressive and his and Debbie Dingell’s love appears to be the same unqualified success. But my heart goes out to Rep Dingell and I appreciate her honesty. Sending all the best of wishes to her.
So sad. If you’ve ever been there… But you can see why they were good together.
Not to be too dark on a sun-drenched pre-spring day with daffodils rising from the frozen ground, but that’s part of the problem for her right now. (I’m sure you know that, obviously.) No matter how happy and long-lasting that love was, it ends with a person alone by a grave. You don’t strut away saying “Booyah! Love success! I rock!”
Absolutely, I’m sad for her loss and I can’t even imagine it really.
As a single 40 something tho, it’s inspiring to know John was 55 when they married and they had 35 years together. It doesn’t at all take away from the profound loss Debbie is experiencing but it reminds me something that beautiful may still be possible in my lifetime.
may it be thus for you