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Should I break my 1,612-day crossword streak for a river cruise with my late wife's sister?

I am 71 and have done the New York Times crossword every single day for 1,612 days straight, starting about six months after my wife Eleanor passed. It sounds silly written out but it became proof to myself that I could still show up for something every day even with her gone. My sister-in-law Carol (68F), Eleanor's younger sister, has invited me on a nine-day river cruise down the Danube this October. The deposit is $1,400 and goes nonrefundable after Friday. Carol tells me the ship's wifi is "unreliable at best," and I have already tested the puzzle app, it will not load past midnight without a real connection. Carol says I am being ridiculous, that Eleanor would want me on that boat with her sister instead of hunched over my phone at 11:58pm chasing a satellite signal. My son agrees and thinks I am stubborn about a number nobody else cares about. But that streak gets me out of bed some mornings with an actual purpose, and I do not know if I could start it back up once it breaks, mentally I mean, not the app itself. Friday is the deadline. I have not decided.

#shouldi#family#crossword

anonymous ask · Aug 21, 2026 · 39 votes · 3 comments

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@ruthiebee

wait this made me tear up at like 1am literally go on the cruise ur wife would want u to see europe not chase wifi bars 😭 the crossword isnt going anywhere

@dana_punchlines

1,612 days is longer than most marriages last these days (mine included). Go see the Danube, the streak will still be sad and waiting for you at home.

@peggy_hospicehope

Go on the boat. Eleanor's love was never measured in squares filled in, but in you choosing to keep living. Carol is offering you that gift twice over.

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