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Carla always knew she would be a widow but didn’t have any idea how it would actually feel. When Carla met her late husband Jared, he was waiting for a lung transplant due to Cystic Fibrosis, a chronic disease affecting the lungs and pancreas. So she knew that most likely someday she would say goodbye to her husband. But she never dreamt it would be exactly one week before their 14th wedding anniversary. In August 2014, Jared was diagnosed with a rare bacterial infection in his transplanted lung and was expected to survive at least 6 months if not a year. Instead, he died just 6 weeks later. And in the blink of an eye, Carla became a solo mom to their 10-year-old son. And even though her life was forever marked before and after, she was determined to live life to the fullest because her husband would expect no less.

She founded Breathing for Jared, a Foundation to provide college scholarships to those suffering from lung disease in honor of her late husband. Became a supporter of the CF Foundation and Donate Life. And discovered that writing out her emotions and fears on her blog Transplant Wife and Widow helped her to process her grief

Carla recently remarried and is now blending a family with her new husband, bonus daughter, and son.

Recent Posts by this Author

Author Carla Duff

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I Want To Scream F*** You Father’s Day

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope for Widows Foundation
June 14, 2019June 19, 2020
I hate Father's Day.  As a solo widowed mom, Father's Day is one of the days I dread most. It's harder than his birthday.  Harder than his angelversary. Harder than our wedding anniversary. Because it's a reminder that my son's ...
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I Am A Free Bird

by Carla Duff in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation
May 31, 2019June 19, 2020
When my husband was dying, the only thing he requested was that Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd be played at his graveside service. It was not the song I would’ve expected him to request. Jared was a huge, huge Led Zeppelin ...
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Five Days of Grief in Five Weeks: My Own Personal Grief Hell

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation
May 13, 2019June 19, 2020
I can't help but dread this time of year. Most people would think it would be the anniversary of Jared's death.  But the five weeks from Mother’s Day to Father's Day are some of the most difficult days for me. ...
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Mother’s Day As A Solo Mom

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Solo Parenting
May 9, 2019June 19, 2020
Sunday will be my fifth Mother’s Day since Jared died. And even though I am remarried, it is still a hard day. It is still a day I wish Jared could be here. A day I wish I wasn’t a ...
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Afraid To Lose Myself

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Relationships and Dating
April 28, 2019June 19, 2020
Being a remarried widow is tough.  It’s hard to not compare my current situation to my present one. And honestly, it is something I rarely if ever do.   My two loves are completely different people My late husband was the ...
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Hope For Brighter Tomorrows

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation
April 22, 2019June 19, 2020
Every time my son and I embark on an adventure, I wish my late husband was here.  I never stop wishing for that. For him to be there.Instead, Steven and I will continue to make lifetime memories without Jared.  Yes ...
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The Honeymoon I Never Thought I Would Need To Take

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation
April 17, 2019June 19, 2020
I just returned from a fabulous, unforgettable honeymoon with my new husband.  One I never imagined I’d take. When I married Jared in 2000, I never thought I have another husband.  Another wedding. Another honeymoon. After Jared died, I assumed ...
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A Choice I’ll Never Have To Make

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Relationships and Dating
April 1, 2019June 19, 2020
When Jared died, I thought I would never survive. I could not imagine surviving. Couldn’t picture my life without him. Certainly never thought I would date. Love again. And absolutely would never get married again. He was the great love ...
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Counseling: Yes or No

by Carla Duff in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Solo Parenting
March 27, 2019June 19, 2020
  Counseling. Yes or no? For me, it was a definite yes. When my late husband died, I immediately sought out counseling for my son and myself. I wanted us to have someone to help guide us through the difficult ...
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Wistful For A Different Time

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope for Widows Foundation
March 20, 2019June 19, 2020
Today I am wistful for a different time.   For a time when I always knew exactly where I stood.   For a time when I didn’t worry about everything.   For a time when I knew beyond a doubt ...
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