The other night I was excited to be watching a new episode of “Grey’s Anatomy”. As odd as it sounds, I always know something in the show will make me tear up, whether I can relate to it or not. It’s almost like watching “Extreme Home Makeovers”….I always end up crying at the reveal. Well this episode of “Grey’s” was no exception, and I sat on my…
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Wonderful Widows, What are you choosing?
Dear Wonderful Widow. For the next 3 weekends, three performances per weekend, Anneke, my 15 year-old, will be playing the part of Wendy Darling in Peter Pan. Anneke is afraid of heights. Flying across the stage requires that she put a great deal of trust in the backstage crew who orchestrate her flying. This is not easy for her. Anneke has chosen…
Take My Hand
I had sand all over my feet and the wind in my face. My eyes were closed as I stretched my arms out wide as I could and I balanced against the railing of the life guard tower. I held my palms up as if waiting… expecting David to take them, I almost felt as though he did. I took deep, careful breaths… I wanted David. I caught myself whispering,…
Regrets?
I’ve been thinking about regrets a lot lately. Not about Jim and me. No way. He knew that he was seriously loved and adored …… as did I. I have no regrets about us and our marriage, other than it wasn’t long enough ….. not by a long shot. This past weekend was our youngest child’s (Son #3) Confirmation. This was our first…
Embracing Life
I’m in Bloomington Illinois today to watch Michele, my WSM (love that Taryn!), receive one of the 2009 Embrace Life Awards presented each year by State Farm Insurance. The program recognizes people who have suffered the loss of a loved one and tried to make it into something positive. Obviously, Michele fits the bill perfectly. The recipients…
Unimaginable
My life path has never included poverty. Or prejudice. Or destitution. Or the feeling that my current life position was all I could ever expect. Overall, I have been greatly blessed. I live in a country where widows are able to inherit, own property, pursue a career, and manage their own affairs. Though prior to my introduction to the global state…
Why We Relay
This weekend was the Central Austin Relay for Life. This is the fourth year that Team Dippel has competed, and the fourth year that we have been in the top five fund raising teams on the day of the relay. Our team is made up of family and friends, all of whom have been touched by cancer, most of us in more than just one way. The question of the…
W.S.M.
What is a W.S.M.? A little acronym I came up with which stands for: Widow Soul Mate After losing Michael I had the fear of never meeting anyone else who could or would understand the pain, love, and grief that I was feeling. Luckily with my line of work, I have met many amazing people who are the epitome of survivors. In my travels through…
Good(?) Grief
Dear Wonderful Widows! Clients often ask me if I can recommend books – books that will help them understand their grief and help them feel less alone. There are many such books available.I don’t know about you, but when I was a new widow I was unable to concentrate long enough to read much of anything so I needed books that were easy to read and…
It is birthday weekend.
David and I were born only two days apart, out of all the years I’ve known him we’ve only been able to spend 3 birthdays together… Our 16th, our 21st, and our 22nd birthdays… (Picture taken at Six Flags California, April 2006, our 21st Birthdays) Previously, I looked forward to new years to come, new challenges… another birthday… life.
Things Change …..
… whether you want them to or not. I mean —- obviously, right? I decided to carry forward with both Michele’s post and Michelle’s post. After Jim died I never considered removing my wedding rings. Never. I felt it would be on my finger forever. And for many, many months it was. And then one day ….. that feeling changed. I know that I am still…
In Sickness and in Health
I have many memories of hospitals from the months of Daniel’s cancer treatment. I was at every appointment, every procedure, in some cases I was Daniel’s voice because the nurses and doctors weren’t always patient enough to understand his altered speech. I remember him telling me how much he appreciated me being there, and how much it meant to him…