Dear Bret, It's been a while since I wrote you a letter, and after I made the suggestion for other widows to write letters to their late partners, I decided to do the same. You've been gone now for over ...
One of the Hope for Widows sisters used the word “bittersweet” to describe what she was feeling. I hate labels. I always have. I dislike being called “a widow.” I live with it because it is a fact. I still ...
So far in this journey of grief, I haven’t yet come to the point where I can honestly say I am living a new life. I had the 10 best years of my life with my sweetheart, followed by almost ...
July 10th of this year marks four years that I've been fortunate enough to share my journey right here, at the Hope For Widows Foundation blog. Being involved with this wonderful group has been an exponential part of my healing ...
I’ve always asked questions—lots of them! I’m not one to conform; I’m quite the rebel, always eager to know why. Barrie found this amusing and often remarked on my insatiable curiosity. When we first met, most of our conversations revolved ...
I opened the door on the second knock and extended a practiced, firm handshake. My hair was pulled back plainly, clothes were modest, and my face was void of both makeup and smiles. I was ready. “Keith Allen, KO Insulation” ...
A few years ago, a thought occurred to me that prompted me to sit down and think deeply. Not long after Bret ended his life, I joined multiple support groups that I had found on social media. I don't recall ...
There was a time when I had mapped out my life. I pretty much knew what I was going to do, where I was going to be and who I was going to be with. That of course, was an ...
How do you see your life in 5 years? I asked myself this yesterday and the answer terrified me. I usually avoid answering it at all costs. I have gotten so accustomed to surviving one day at a time. One ...
On a day like today, when I was 10 years old, I might have been lying on my bedroom floor, listening to the radio. "Neverending Story" by Limahl might have been playing, and the breeze might have been causing my ...