Yesterday marked 17 months since my husband died. So much has changed in my life since then. I’ve grieved, and grieved, and grieved some more. I’ve worked through the grief, written through the grief, talked to my grief counselor, cried on the shoulders of family and friends, and – to be honest – I’m really, really tired of grieving. Shouldn’t … Read the blog
Tag: new normal
On the Cusp of a New Life
I’m on the cusp of a new life, but it’s difficult to leave the old one behind. And, if I’m honest with myself, I feel guilty and sad, regretful that I have been able to survive without Rick, that I am making that new life on my own.
When Rick died, I never thought this would be possible – to … Read the blog
Spending Time With You – A Poem
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
Phantom Embraces – New Blog Post on Hope for Widows Foundation site
… 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
Life in Year Two – A Poem
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
Fantasy Time
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
Thanksgiving Day, 2018
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
My Substitute Life – New Post on Hope for Widows website
…After 15 months of widowhood, I’ve pretty much adapted to my current status. And, sometimes, when I take inventory of where my life is headed, now that I’m on my own, I ask myself, Other than the fact that your husband is dead, how do you like your life?
And the answer is – I have a very, very good … Read the blog
Telling Guilt to Take a Hike
After more than a year of coming to terms with Rick’s death, today I came to realize that grieving is just a long-running battle with the words I tell myself in my head. There’s a voice in a continuously running monologue that tells me things that I need to either heed or ignore, words to believe or recognize as a … Read the blog
Becoming a Chill Widow – New Post on Hope for Widows website
… So here I am, with all the usual stress inducers (and more) and no Rick to balance it all out for me. No backrubs. No one to say, “Don’t worry, honey, none of that matters. Let’s take a drive through the park.” I am graced with the support of wonderful friends and family, so I’m not alone. But the … Read the blog









