Riley, Lizzy, Ashley, Sonney, and JD on a camping trip at Sue-meg State Park. Photo Credit: Penelope Ray, 2008 It was 2008 when we found them. JD and I were particularly broke that year after losing our home in the ...
TW: Suicide method Very early on, after Bret died, I couldn't dream about him. I couldn't feel his presence at all. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to dream about him--I knew that when I'd wake up the next ...
10 Unexpected Things Grief Has Taught Me. 1) People say surprisingly hurtful things to grieving people, even those closest to you. Many will never apologize because they don’t even realize they offended you. 2) You may have been compassionate before ...
I woke up this morning to the sound of my grandchildren whispering, their bare feet padding across wood floors, stopping just short of the bedroom I was in. I’ve landed at Ashley and Micah’s house, my oldest daughter and son-in-law. ...
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 ...
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 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 ...
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 ...