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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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Falling Down The Rabbit Hole

by Carla Duff in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Relationships and Dating, Solo Parenting, Widowhood Journey
March 7, 2021
Today I saw a memory post that reminded me of an incident a few years ago. Something simple, that sent me down the rabbit hole of grief.    Four years ago, my son came out to tell me his bathroom ...
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Never Say Never

by Carla Duff in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Relationships and Dating, Widowhood Journey
February 21, 2021
As a widow, the thought of dating made my skin crawl. I couldn’t imagine ever wanting anyone else to touch me, kiss me come hold me.  Let alone be intimate with someone new. I said I would never date. Would ...
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Twice Blessed on Valentine’s Day

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Relationships and Dating, Widowhood Journey
February 14, 2021
I am blessed to have two amazing love stories. And today, I honor them both. It is possible to love what was while loving what is.    My late husband, Jared and I were blessed to spend 16 Valentine’s Days ...
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Lessons of Widowhood

by Carla Duff in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Widowhood Journey
February 2, 2021
Death sucks. Plain and simple, it just sucks.   Solo parenting is not an easy task. You are on duty 24 hours a day 7 days a week. There's no one to take your child for a night or weekend ...
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Still Grieving

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Widowhood Journey
January 17, 2021
I read a news article yesterday, and the reporter stated that the widow was “still“ struggling with her grief one year later. And that word, still bothered me so very much. Upset me greatly. Of course she is “still“ struggling ...
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Christmas as a widow

by Carla Duff in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Solo Parenting, Widowhood Journey
December 19, 2020
The holiday season can be one of great joy. But for widows and their grieving children, it can also be one of great sorrow. Reminders of who is missing. Traditions that can no longer be kept. Gifts that no longer ...
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Surviving The Holidays

by Carla Duff in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation, Widowhood Journey
November 25, 2020
This morning, I asked my 16-year-old son for any thoughts or wisdom on how to handle holiday grief. He was 10 when his dad died. And since his dad died in September this will be our seventh holiday season without ...
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Children's Grief Awareness Day: Say Yes

Children’s Grief Awareness Day: Grief Changes Over Time

by Carla Duff in Grief, Hope for Widows Foundation, Solo Parenting
November 18, 2020November 18, 2020
Children grieve in their own way. In their own time. And we need to support them in their grief.  Today, Children’s Grief Awareness Day is a day to remember that children grieve differently.  That children hurt too.  That children need ...
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Team Jon

by Carla Duff in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation
November 14, 2020
When the love of your life dies in front of you, your life is forever changed. You swear never to love again. That your heart will never heal. That you will never let yourself feel again. Do your best to ...
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Holidays Are Hard

by Carla Duff in Coping Mechanisms, Grief, Hope and Healing, Hope for Widows Foundation
November 2, 2020
The holidays are such a hard time of year. During this time of year, I always miss Jared even more. I wish he was here to go to the pumpkin patch. To help Steven carve his pumpkin. To help scare ...
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