Joe’s Grief and Second Plans

The Sun is Also a Star

Joe’s grief for Beth has emptied his future of purpose, until Natasha’s direct care makes another plan seem possible.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Retirement Interrupted Retirement Interrupted from "The Sun is Also a Star". Plans Cut Short Beth’s Diagnosis Joe and Beth learn of her cancer just after retiring, before taking the journeys they had planned together.

Retirement Interrupted from "The Sun is Also a Star". Plans Cut Short Beth’s Diagnosis Joe and Beth learn of her cancer just after retiring, before taking the journeys they had planned together.

Plans Cut Short Beth’s Diagnosis Joe and Beth learn of her cancer just after retiring, before taking the journeys they had planned together. Loss of a Future Her death leaves Joe grieving not only a person but the life they expected to share.

Work and Smoking Work and Smoking from "The Sun is Also a Star". Avoiding the Empty Space Return to Work After Beth dies, Joe leaves retirement and returns to security work.

Work and Smoking from "The Sun is Also a Star". Avoiding the Empty Space Return to Work After Beth dies, Joe leaves retirement and returns to security work.

Avoiding the Empty Space Return to Work After Beth dies, Joe leaves retirement and returns to security work. Self-Neglect He takes up smoking again, unsure why preserving his health should matter without her.

The Couple on the Roof The Couple on the Roof from "The Sun is Also a Star". A Familiar Pair A Small Intervention Joe finds Daniel and Natasha trying to access the roof, where they want privacy together.

The Couple on the Roof from "The Sun is Also a Star". A Familiar Pair A Small Intervention Joe finds Daniel and Natasha trying to access the roof, where they want privacy together.

A Familiar Pair A Small Intervention Joe finds Daniel and Natasha trying to access the roof, where they want privacy together. Permission to Stay Natasha’s concern about his cough and smoking reminds Joe of Beth’s direct tenderness.

A Warning About Plans A Warning About Plans from "The Sun is Also a Star". Lessons from Loss Uncertain Futures Joe tells the young couple that life does not always follow a plan, speaking from the experience of lost years.

A Warning About Plans from "The Sun is Also a Star". Lessons from Loss Uncertain Futures Joe tells the young couple that life does not always follow a plan, speaking from the experience of lost years.

Lessons from Loss Uncertain Futures Joe tells the young couple that life does not always follow a plan, speaking from the experience of lost years. A Quiet Recognition He sees in them the closeness he once shared with Beth, without pretending that their future is assured.

Considering Life Again Considering Life Again from "The Sun is Also a Star". A Possible Beginning Memory of Beth Joe watches the couple look only at each other and remembers his own marriage.

Considering Life Again from "The Sun is Also a Star". A Possible Beginning Memory of Beth Joe watches the couple look only at each other and remembers his own marriage.

A Possible Beginning Memory of Beth Joe watches the couple look only at each other and remembers his own marriage. New Intentions He considers quitting smoking and making plans again, not because grief has ended but because life may still hold something.

the year before Natasha and Daniel reach the roof

the months before the rooftop encounter

early evening, when Daniel and Natasha reach the roof

during their conversation on the rooftop

after Joe leaves the couple on the roof