All moms face weariness, but for a widowed mom, that weariness can be tenfold. When you become a mom, you hear catchy phrases to remind you to take care of yourself, like “an empty cup can’t pour out anything” or “If you are on an airplane, you put the mask on you so you can help your children.” These are essential reminders because motherhood is all-consuming, and to be a better mom, taking time to refill your tank is so important; as a widowed Mom, you are suddenly doing the job of mom and dad with no one to help handle life responsibilities.
After a while, you can lose your identity if you don’t work at it. Due to life circumstances, I cannot go out often, so I chose to return to school. School was a chance to use my mind and be something other than a Mom. Graduating with a Master’s degree and a 3.8 grade point average did so much for my self-confidence. Now, I am working toward a Doctorate, which is a whole journey.
My late husband was a fantastic man. He took care of my girls and me, but after he died, I was not confident in my ability to do anything. I started on a journey to prove I could do things that scared me. My girls and I drove over 2,000 miles from Florida to California one summer. I made it to California and back home in about three weeks with fantastic memories and a renewed confidence to overcome the next obstacle.
When my husband died, I had to discover who I was going on trips, and successfully finishing school was a way I proved to myself that I could do anything I put my mind to. As a bonus, I showed my girls that if I could do it, they could do it.
However you do, it takes time to sew into you to remind yourself who you are. Even if it is taking a bath with music playing, find time to be quiet and reflect on yourself. Remember you are doing a fantastic job, your kids are alive and cared for, and most of your bills are paid. You are doing a great job and deserve to be happy, too.
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Support Widows This Holiday Season!
As we approach the holidays, the Hope for Widows Foundation is seeking sponsors for our annual Bring Hope Holiday Program. This initiative supports widows facing financial challenges, helping them provide gifts and essentials for their children during this special time of year.
Want to make a difference? Become a sponsor and bring hope to a widows family this holiday season. Every contribution, big or small, helps spread joy and light. For more details and to sign up, visit: httpst//linktree/hopeforwidows
Note: If you are a widow in need of support this holiday season, the widow application will be available at the end of October or the first week of November. You can find it at the same link.
Let’s make this season brighter together!
About Cindy Schriver
In 2011, Cindy lost her husband of 16 years to a rare form of cancer after a
long and hard-fought battle. Left behind in the whirlwind of grief with three
adolescent children, Cindy had to learn to find herself again and how to
help herself and her children through the journey of grief. Knowing she had
to become the sole provider for her family, Cindy returned to college at 38,
earning a bachelor’s degree in Communications and a master’s degree in
Adult Education. Cindy is currently pursuing her Doctorate and is constantly
looking for new experiences.