When my husband passed suddenly at the age of 32, I was quite pregnant with our second child and was a stay at home mother to our then 18 month old. Despite being an intelligent and capable 31 year old ...
There is something surreal about going from one to two years, in terms of grief. Singular becomes plural so quickly, and you lose the ability to say "Oh, he died a year and a half ago," or "last year, I ...
As I lay here I am reminded to count my blessings. Sometimes when life has been difficult, stressful, and full of grief it is easy to focus on the negative. To focus on the sorrow instead of the joy. To ...
“Martin Anthony(Tony) Barnes, age 47, passed away peacefully with his wife Cheryl Barnes at his side on Friday, August 29, 2014 at Florida Hospital after battling a long illness.” That is the first line of my husband’s obituary and my ...
Simple rituals can have a HUGE impact. Over the past few years a multiple of painful losses have poured down on me. I am thankful that I was able to take some refuge from the ancient traditions I continue to ...
National Widow’s Day is May 3rd. For many, this day is insignificant. Just another national day on the calendar. But for the 3.48 million widowed men and 11.27 million widowed women living in the US, it is significant. ...
It was recently suggested to me that perhaps I needed to forgive Gary for dying. I was incredulous. Of course I didn’t blame him for dying! “Can you tell him you forgive him?” I was asked. Of course I can!!! ...
I brought a plant. Well, I actually brought a hanging outdoor plant. While this act may not be worth celebrating to you, it was a big deal to me. You see, for the past 6 years I have not purchased ...
This Saturday was National Husband Appreciation Day. It was a day I want to celebrate. It is also a day that left me feeling very torn. As a remarried widow, I want to sing the praises of my new husband. ...
Seth loved flowers and would always surprise me with them even from the early days we were together. He would go to the flower shop in our small college town and would buy me a rose or two and bring ...