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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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Angelversary Has Changed Over Time

by Carla Duff in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Widowhood Journey
October 1, 2021
The 7-year anniversary for Jared’s death or his angelversary as I call it, didn’t hit me as hard this year.    The first year I was kind of numb, grateful to have survived that awful first year. The second year, ...
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7 Years

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Solo Parenting, Widowhood Journey
September 15, 2021
Seven years. Yesterday and forever.    September 16th will mark seven years since Jared died. Seven years since I last heard his voice. Seven years since my world changed. Seven years since I held Jared in my arms as he ...
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What A Wedding Taught Me

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Widowhood Journey
September 11, 2021
This past weekend my niece was married.  And her wedding reminded me that even the best days can have sad moments. That grief is forever. And that we can love the past, present, and future.    My niece got married ...
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National Grief Awareness Day: Grief Changes Over Time

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Solo Parenting, Widowhood Journey
August 28, 2021
Do you still grieve 7 years later? Yes, I have been asked that question.   I will always grieve the loss of Jared.   Always.    And I will always grieve Steven’s loss.   Grieve that my little boy has to know ...
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What If He Came Back

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Relationships and Dating, Solo Parenting, Widowhood Journey
August 23, 2021
Last night my new husband and I watched a show where the people returned 5 years after they were presumed dead. And it made me wonder what would happen if Jared came back now. 7 years later.   What would ...
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Lessons Learned

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Widowhood Journey
August 15, 2021
In my 2524 days as a widow, I have learned so much.  Death, grief, and survival have taught me more than I can write about.    I have learned I am blessed to have those who are here to help ...
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Cleaning Out Cabinets and Healing

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Widowhood Journey
August 9, 2021
Today I was thinking back to five years ago. It had been almost 2 years since Jared died. 23 months to be exact. And I realized just how much healing can happen in one weekend. And just how much one ...
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Life Without You

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Widowhood Journey
August 2, 2021
I often hear people say to their spouse I can’t imagine life without you. But unfortunately, I can. And so can my widowed friends. When I met my late husband, he was considered terminally ill. He had cystic fibrosis and ...
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Terrified I Will Forget

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Widowhood Journey
July 24, 2021
As the years since Jared‘s death grow longer, I am worried I will forget.    I am worried I will forget the special things about him.  The blue of his eyes.  The sound of his laughter.  The touch of his ...
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Watching the Lions in Africa – Together

by Carla Duff in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Widowhood Journey
July 17, 2021
One of the things my late husband always wanted to do was see a lion in the wild of Africa. Unfortunately, this was one wish that never came true.    My late husband was a lung transplant recipient and the ...
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