There is a lot of stress that comes with losing a loved one. A therapist told me that on the scale of stress, the highest form of grief related stress was the grief that came from losing a spouse--not a ...
Standing together Recently I watched a series on Netflix. One of the story’s characters, a smart, thriving lawyer is asked why she returned back to the small town where she lived instead of living in a larger metropolis like Los ...
As a widow in my 40’s, the most common expression I hear from people once they know my story is, “I cannot even imagine”. Nobody wants to imagine a tragedy like mine happening to them. I prefer to think of ...
How many times have you heard: “You are so strong!”? Or seen memes that compliment a widow’s strength, like this one: “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have”? I didn’t realize ...
I have found myself in somewhat of an identity crisis over the last several years of this life I didn't create for myself. How do I walk forward and find my path and my purpose in this life? Is it ...
One of the scariest parts of grief for me has been the overwhelming vulnerability. When my husband first passed away, it was like my body was frozen in time: my emotions, my tears, and my heart were just numb. ...
I am more than just a widow. If I had a dollar for the number of times I was referred to as a widow, or "you know, the one whose husband died," I think I could buy myself a beach ...
To wear the wedding ring, or not wear the wedding ring, that is the question. And honestly, the answer is very personal and rarely ever taken lightly. Often we widows will receive opinions, not always solicited, from friends and family ...
People tell me you are so strong, I don't know how you do it. My response to them is I didn't have a choice. When someone you love more than life itself dies, no one gives you the choice to ...
I am told how well I am doing and how strong I am. People commend me on the adventures I take and my drive to rebuild my life. The world looking in sees some one who is figuring it out. ...