This is going to be a tough post to write.
Sometimes life throws you circumstances you just have to deal with on your own. I have to admit that I have had my trials. I would like to think, though, I have always possessed the fortitude to overcome them. Call it determination. Call it perseverance. Maybe. I call it the will to do whatever it takes to succeed.
I have been writing three posts weekly since December 17, 2012. As of next Wednesday, I would have completed 500 posts. I cannot say how grateful I am to have accomplished so much since that humble Monday Mayhem post that started it all. To put it into perspective, 498 posts at 500 words per post comes to under 250,000 words over the course of 3 years. Add to those numbers the three books I have published, weighing in at another 250,000 words, and you can quickly see a pattern.
None of it, and I say this from deep within my soul, none of it means anything without you the reader to have visited, liked, or commented on all my work. What can I say other than thank you. You are amazing. You are the one who has made JackFlacco.com a place where people can talk about anything, including life, and not be afraid.
Life. My dream was to provoke thought, interest and ideas in the impossible, no matter how improbable those ideas may have appeared to be.
Unfortunately, something has taken precedence in my life. The only thing I can say is for the next little while I have to look after my health.
In the meantime, something has to suffer. I will attempt to continue writing my books. I will continue to think about the future, but I cannot continue writing the weekly posts. You have to know it is not something I take lightly to have come to the decision of stopping. Stopping is not something I do well.
I am hoping the future will look brighter once I take care of what I have to do to carry on.
What does this feel like?
It is like telling one of your best friends you can no longer be friends. As much as it is the wrong thing to do, it is absolutely the right thing to do. How can you tell your friend you are no longer kindred spirits? That is how it feels—like I have ripped my heart from my chest and thrown it into an abyss where nothing can escape.
I plan to keep this site up during the time I am away. I am not sure when I will be back. I am hoping a few weeks. All I know is writing has been one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of my life. I cannot say how honored I am to have had the opportunity to interact with each and every one of you. You certainly have made my life a joy to live. Nothing will ever replace that memory in my mind.
Thank you so much for your incredible support. I really do love you all. I will keep you in my prayers. May God bless you in everything you do.
In a bit. I promise…
Jack
Looking to God 
Saying a prayer for your health and recovery. Take care, and get better soon.
Reblogged this on thepageofdaniel and commented:
Even on the Internet, goodbyes AREN’T easy. So – Until next time. I haven’t been on here much lately for several reasons.
Fair winds instead of farewells, Jack.
Hope you are back soon.
What they said, and I hope to be seeing you again on the internets soon.
Sorry to hear about your. news. I’ve enjoyed your posts ( missed a bunch due to other factors ), so I hope you won’t be away long. Godspeed.
Take care of yourself.
We’ll be here when you get back. Just – get back! And, godspeed!
Reblogged this on matthewRstitt and commented:
Jack, as always, you are the best.
Jake, I am forever a follower of jackflacco.com. Forever a fan. Do what you can to get well, we will be here when you return 🙂
Take care of yourself.
Jack – please take care of yourself and don’t worry about the blog. It will be here for you when you’re ready to come back. Prayers and best wishes to you!
Jack, of course I’m sad to hear it, but your health is the #1 priority. Too often, we human beings seem to forget how important we are to our families and friends and just soldier on, wounded, ailing, depressed, sickened, whatever the case might be. I’ve very much learned from and enjoyed your posts, as well as reading Ranger Martin’s escapades, though I still have to pick up the last book, and have a feeling you’ll succeed at anything you do, with single-minded determination and hard work ethic. Now go enjoy some more family days, we’ll be here when [and if] you think it’s the time to come back! Peace, hope, and healing to you and your family, always, Jack! 🙂
All the best and hope to see you back in full swing in the not to distant future. Sounds like you’ve made a tough decision, but I’m sure it’s probably the right one for you.
HiJack, sorry to hear about your health. Do take care of yourself and I look forward to seeing you posting soon.
There are, for me at least, many posts that I’ve got to read from your website! Kind of like a hoarder, I’ve been holding them in my emails for my nuggets of time. Don’t you worry, there are many loyal readers here and we will wait for you to get healthy and “knock” on the door with a new post! 😉
Will in the interim send you much needed healing energy, good vibrational thoughts to help you in these days and going forward!(You need a energy boost when you feel down, you let me know. Will send out some Reiki too!)
See you soon!
Nims
I’m not a religious man Jack, but I still sent a little prayer your way. Here’s to hoping you are able to continue your passion, taking the time needed, to make that a reality again.
BTW, bought myself some Sennheiser HD 202’s yesterday. You have an ear for this kind of thing Jack.
Take good care of yourself while you are gone. In the mean time, we’ll look forward to seeing you again. 🙂
Jack, best wishes to you while you are away from blog land – you and your posts will be missed but the health of the blogger is far, far more important to than the blog itself. Will keep you in my prayers for healing and recuperation.
I hope everything turns out okay and you can get back to the things you love… but hey people need breaks… your followers will still be here when you get back…
Thanks for all the great posts! Best of luck to you and hope you enjoy your time away from posting. 😀
Kindred Spirits connect even in the silence. Take time to heal yourself and we’ll be here when you get back. Sending thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
All the best to you, Jack. I hope things turn out well for you.
Jack, you are like on of the family and I will miss you. whatever the health problems are you have my prayers for a speedy return.
You will be missed. Do what must be done.
Hi Jack
I’m wishing you all the best during this challenging time. I really hope that although I rarely comment, that knowing you have readers out there is heartening.
All the best
Jill
Zombies get you in the end, Jack? I always knew they would. Now, with vampires you’re on much steadier ground; a quick bite and all you get is pale skin and a houseful of useless mirrors. But zombies…
When Alistair Cooke was forced to stop writing his Letters From America the BBC got other people to write them in his place. We could organise a rota to keep your blog going; we probably know it better than you do. Monday Warriors, Friday Mayhem or something. Piece of cake.
Just take care of yourself, lad. It’s not easy to see one of our fellow bloggers dropping out like this, but we’ll still be here.
I’m glad you’re able to take time to take care of yourself. I understand the need to slow down a bit and take time for other priorities. The internet will always be here and relationships will continue – that’s what I’ve seen as I’ve had to slow down on my blog while attending grad school.
Good luck, and I hope you’re able to come back and visit now and then.
Take care of yourself..! Come back to us soon!
I’m very sorry to hear this, but completely understand. I hope your health woes are behind you soon enough. Take care.
Praying for healing and restored health. I admire your commitment to taking care of yourself. See you soon.
Will miss you. So sorry to hear this news. I feel as if we are writing kindred spirits. Get well and be good to yourself; you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs from Maryland.
You’re in my thoughts and prayers, Jack. I love your writing and that you’ve shared so much of your time with us. Thank you.
I am sending you love and light, Jack Flacco, and to your family. Take your journey, and know that we are with you, every step of the way. Thank you for your gifts of words, wisdom, wit, warmth…you are a master storyteller and a helluva guy. And on a personal note, thanks for finding and supporting my crazy project. I will invoke you every time I sit down to write a post. We will see you again soon, my friend, this I know! 🙂 Be well. ❤
Jack, I always enjoy your writing and the insight you give. Stay strong and healthy and my prayers are with you. Blessings my friend and though we rarely get to share realtime we stand with you and care about you!
We will miss you. Take care of yourself.
I’ll be your friend even if you are not able to write for a while. Keep in touch with e-mail or private messaging on Facebook. I will have my sister put you on her prayer line. Fight this battle with the same fortitude as your protagonist would. Sending prayers and positive vibes. Love you, my friend.
Take care of yourself, Jack. We’ll all be here. Best of luck.
I am sorry Think positive and we will see you back here soon.
Jack, I am so sorry to hear of your ailing health. I hope during your hiatus you can fully recover enough to return to your blog here. You’ve been a great friend, mentor, and inspiration to me over the past couple of years and you will be sorely missed not only by me but by your faithful and loyal following, but you, yourself, your health, and your family come first and foremost. Take all the time you need. We will be here, ready and waiting, with baited breath, anticipating your return, sound body and mind intact. There is no need for goodbyes and farewells, for I have full faith in your recovery and that in no time,, we will awake sooner than later to find another glorious Monday Mayhem fresh off the blogroll awaiting us in our inboxs. You will be in my prayers. Take care of yourself, God bless, and God speed.
Jack when you love someone it does not matter if you see them everyday or talk to them everyday. Friends only want the best for friends. If stepping back is the right choice then we support that. You have touched so many, we will not forget. And anyone that can make me enjoy zombies!!!! You have a gift. I wish you only the best and I will wait for good news and your words. Be well Jack.
Wishing you well, your health must always come first. Hopefully we will all be able to read your work again soon x
Best of good fortune Sir
Hey Jack, will miss your posts, take care of yourself and I look forward to seeing you back here hopefully in the not too distant future good sir.
Can’t bring myself to hit ‘like’ on this, man. Fully understand because your health comes first. I know I’ll be keeping an eye out for your return. Definitely going to be weird waking up and not seeing one of your posts waiting in my email for me to read through. Always loved the Monday stuff because it started my week with creative thoughts. Still, you gotta take care of yourself in what sounds like a delicate situation. That way you can get better and come back.
Take care of yourself and I really hope you get better soon.
I hope things will turn out ok.