The Death Certificate

 

looks like our marriage certificate

except our union is split,

cleaved from me.

I’m choiceless.

 

Onset to death

2.5 hours

 

Treatment given

from onset to death

2.5 hours

 

Paramedics arrived at 7:03am

Pronounced dead at 9:34am

 

Reason/cause:

Cardiac arrest

Ventricle Fibrillation

Cardiomyopathy

 

I said, do not cut up his

Beautiful Body.

We all know what happened.

 

I turned down

organ donation.

He considered it,

but never made a final decision,

so I did.

 

Don’t call me again,

I said,

I have lost enough.

 

I found the papers

in my dad’s bag.

 

He had them filed away

because a father always protects.

 

But, daddy, the story was already written –

It must have been me.

 

 

 

Do you know someone ready to make a meaningful impact this holiday season? Join us in embracing the true spirit of giving by getting involved in the Hope for Widows Foundation’s ‘Bring Hope Holiday Assistance Program’ virtual initiative, now in its third year. This program directly supports widows who may be struggling to provide gifts and essentials for their children during the holiday season. For many widows facing financial challenges, the choice between keeping the lights on, putting food on the table, and buying presents can be heart-wrenching. When you add the responsibilities of solo parenting, the weight of grief, and the toll it takes emotionally and physically, the burden becomes even greater. To become a sponsor and access more information, and details visit the following link: https://bit.ly/3ZROBWo For our widows/hope sisters in the community, please stay tuned as we’ll be sending out widow applications for sponsorship this holiday season very soon. Let’s come together and make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

 

About 

Amanda thought March 4th, 2020, would be just another normal morning until her husband, Ed, went into cardiac arrest due to his heart condition, HCM, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. There was a 1% chance of sudden death, but he passed that day. He was 40 years young, and they had been married for 14 years. One week later the world went into lockdown due to Covid, and Amanda and her two small sons, who were 9 and 11, would be left grieving during the strangest of times.

During this time, writing was the only way Amanda could cope. She wrote the manuscript The Queen of Joyful Things, which are poems about losing her husband. She is happy to be a part of the Hope for Widows community and hopes her story will help other young widows. You can visit her at: https://amcrane76.wixsite.com/www-amanda-crane-wix