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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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A New Year That Will Know Him

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Widowhood Journey
January 8, 2022
2022 marks the 8th year that Jared will not know. Yet, I do my best to ensure each new year knows him.    When we celebrated New Years Eve on December 31, 2013 I had no idea it would be ...
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Permission To Do Christmas Your Way

by Carla Duff in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Widowhood Journey
December 24, 2021
Today is Christmas Eve.  And tomorrow is Christmas Day.    Two days that can cause a lot of stress and grief for those who have lost a loved one. And just in case you need it, I’m giving you permission. ...
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Missing the Peace of Christmas Past

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Widowhood Journey
December 15, 2021
Christmas is typically my favorite time of the year. Even in my darkest days of grief, I could look at the lights on the tree, the years of memory ornaments and find some peace.    This year has been so ...
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Christmas Eight Years Later

by Carla Duff in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Solo Parenting, Widowhood Journey
December 3, 2021
This year will mark eight Christmases that we have spent without Jared. Eight years that we have hung his memory on the tree. Eight years that we have filled his stocking with love instead of presents. Eight years.   It ...
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Married Again and Still Family

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Relationships and Dating, Widowhood Journey
November 23, 2021
This past Friday, my new husband and I were married in the Church.  As a practicing Catholic, getting married in the church was very important to me. It was a small, intimate ceremony with just our closest family and friends. ...
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Children’s Grief Awareness Day: What My Son Wants You To Know

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Solo Parenting, Widowhood Journey
November 17, 2021
Today is Children’s Grief Awareness Day. I frequently write a blog for this specific day. I usually write it from the perspective of a widowed, solo mom raising a grieving child. But this year, I thought it would be better ...
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Joy and Sorrow Coexist

by Carla Duff in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Widowhood Journey
November 14, 2021
As a widow, I have learned to embrace the joy and the sorrow.  But it has definitely been a learning curve.    When Jared first died, I could not, or would not, embrace the joy. I only wanted to feel ...
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Life is ever changing

by Carla Duff in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Solo Parenting, Widowhood Journey
November 1, 2021
When Jared died, my entire world changed. It doesn't mean that my world can't be good, or that I can't be happy, or have a life filled with joy.  It just means my world has changed. But until you have ...
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Missing His Dad on Senior Night

by Carla Duff in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Widowhood Journey
October 18, 2021
This Friday night will be my son’s senior night for football. A night for which he has worked so hard. A night he has earned. A night that will be bitter sweet.    My late husband was my son‘s first ...
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Change is Constant

by Carla Duff in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Solo Parenting, Widowhood Journey
October 15, 2021
There is so much going on in our lives right now. So much is happening. So much is changing. We are planning for my son’s future. And it hurts my heart that my late husband is missing it. Is not ...
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