AKA "The Writing Woman"
My latest book is now available on Amazon.com. A Widow’s Words: Grief, Reflection, Prose, and Poetry – The First Year is a compilation of my essays (blogs) and poems from the year following my husband’s death.
It’s available in print and e-book versions.
Book description:
How did I end up publishing my most personal thoughts in … Read the blog
I’ve always been a movie buff. I love them second only to books. It was only natural that I’d seek out some movies that relate to my life now, so I checked out a couple of “widow movies.”
I have to say, they may be lovely romances, but they aren’t something I could really relate to. Man dies. Gorgeous, perfect … Read the blog
Now that you’ve been gone so long
And life and time keep moving on
I spend less time within my room
Crying, weeping, feeling gloom
Those days, those months of constant grief
Incessant pain with no relief
The unrelenting agony
Of knowing you are gone from me
Have seemed to pass and though I’m sad
And tears still come, it’s … Read the blog
How did it ever come to be
That you became a part of me?
I started out my life alone
Content to live life on my own
But then I fell in love with you
As time went on, that’s when I knew
It was our destiny to meet
Your love for me made me complete
Our wedding day, I … Read the blog
… But some nights, I lie down on my side, pull the covers around me, and put out the light, and I sense him there. It’s not a conscious decision; it just happens. I feel him scooch over next to me from behind and pull me to him, and snuggle up against me. I feel the cocoon of his love, … Read the blog
I’m used to life without you
I’ve made all new routines
The quiet house seems normal now
My life’s gone on, it seems
I function out in public
Can hold my tears inside
No longer overcome with sobs
Seeking a place to hide
I’m used to traveling on my own
And tables set for one
And you not with me … Read the blog
It’s been fifteen months since my husband died, and I have a question…
What exactly is my allotted grieving time?
Is there a prescribed time limit? Can I access a table of typical grief limits allowed per relationship type? Parent = 9.3 months? Cousin = 4 months? Aunt/uncle = 6.2 months? I can’t even begin to guess the grief time … Read the blog
Sometimes, I can still hear your voice in my head telling me, “I love you honey.” I can still hear you saying, “It will be OK.”
And every now and then one of your catchphrases pops into my head: “That’s why they call me ‘the big fella,’” or even, “Shut the hell up.”
When something good happens – “That’s better … Read the blog
I was missing Rick on our second Thanksgiving apart, and my second birthday without him, but I realized that he will never truly be gone.
Thanksgiving Day, 2018
Another holiday is done
The kids came by and we had fun
I’m thankful for my family
And how my life’s turned out to be
But now this special day is through… Read the blog
Can I pretend, just for a few minutes
That you are outside in the yard
Wearing your red flannel hoodie?
Can I imagine, just for a while
On this beautiful November Saturday –
That you’re raking the fallen leaves, as you loved to do?
Wearing your tiny white iPhone earbuds,
You’re listening to the new Grisham book
Oh, how you … Read the blog