I’ve been excited about my latest adventure. The local library invited me to have a table with my books at their annual local author fair. I’ve never done it before – never even considered it, mostly because I never considered myself an author. I know I’m a writer. I know I’ve published books, but I guess it’s “imposter syndrome,” because … Read the blog
Tag: widowhood
Signing Books at Local Author Fair in Michigan – Sept. 28, 2024
Just a reminder – if you’re in the Detroit metro area next weekend, be sure to drop by my table at the local Westland Library Author Fair. I’ll be signing my latest book, My Story: A Memoir in Prose and Poetry and I’ll also have copies of two of my widow books for sale/signing: A Widow’s Words: Grief, Reflection, Prose, … Read the blog
Year Two of My Widow Journey – A Widow’s Words, Year Two Available Soon
Five years ago, I published a book of essays and poetry I wrote during the year after my husband died. The book, A Widow’s Words: Grief, Reflection, Prose, and Poetry is available on Amazon.com.
Although seven years have passed in my grief journey, I continue to receive emails from new widows who are reading my book about the first … Read the blog
That Dreaded Time of Year – Hope for Widows blog for August 2024
It’s that time, again. The ten-day period between the anniversary of Rick’s death and his birthday, the day we held his celebration of life. August 13th to August 23rd, 2017: the most painful time of my life.
After seven years, it doesn’t hit as hard. Well, at least that’s what I thought. But I realized that all last week I … Read the blog
Kisses That Last a Lifetime
July 12th would have been our twenty-seventh wedding anniversary. In the seven years since Rick died, I’ve gone through many different stages of grief, and I’m a different woman than that distraught widow from years ago. Instead of sadness over his death, I more often look back feeling thankful for experiencing our life together. Instead of constant grief triggers that … Read the blog
Disconnected – June 2024, Hope for Widows blog
I reported for jury duty a couple weeks ago. It’s probably my tenth time in the past 45 years since I was first summoned in my early twenties. However, this was the first time I’ve served that we were allowed to bring cell phones into the courthouse. Quite a perk!
Other years, I was in no-contact status with the world … Read the blog
The Lost Piece – Hope for Widows blog for April 2024
THE LOST PIECE
When a soul mate dies
It leaves a hole with a ragged edge
An empty space, too difficult to patch
Although I try to find another piece that fits,
The shape is never quite right
And the hole remains empty
Sometimes, I set the puzzle aside
And pretend my life is complete
Without that missing piece
The … Read the blog
What I Miss – Hope for Widows Blog for March 2024
Life is normal now. I’m me, and I’m alone, and it’s okay.
And then, suddenly, it’s not.
When things are going well, I enjoy my life alone so much that I barely want to date. I have no desire to find the next companion, partner, potential mate. I’ve come to terms with life on my own. I’ve actually done better … Read the blog
Coping with “That Day”
Rick died six years ago today. Not always being a rational person, I decided the best way to handle this awful anniversary would be to sleep through today. That didn’t work. For one reason, my cat did not agree with the decision. For another, I know you can’t hide from grief. You need to acknowledge it – face it head … Read the blog
The Love of a Lifetime – Hope for Widows Blog
As the sixth anniversary of Rick’s death approaches, I realize I’ve had many shifts in my attitude about how I view my life here alone. For about the first two years, my whole identity was that of a widow. I was still part of a couple, one of us just wasn’t living. I continued to participate with most of the … Read the blog