Decision making has never been difficult for me. If asked to choose between one thing and another I pick one, and stick with my decision. When facing a challenging task I determine a course of action and get moving. When a problem appears unsolvable…I go for a run, and nine times out of ten come back with an answer. And then came widowhood. One…
Blog
Celebrating Moms
Sports practices, music lessons, school meetings, homework, school projects, dinner every night, getting multiple children to different locations at the same start time, crying for daddy, asking where he went, consoling, advising, figuring out what the best solution to the problem is when you only have one opinion to consider….any of this sound…
Help is Better with Self
I believe for me, that a huge part of figuring out one’s grief, one most know themselves. Now I know some could say this goes without saying, but after the loss of your soul mate it’s difficult finding out who this new you is, or in my case, who this new me is. It is has been through meeting others in like situations, reflecting on my own thoughts…
Widows and Dating (Only for those who are ready to think about it…)
Dear Wonderful Widows, Last night was the first evening of this month’s ‘Widows Dating Again Class’. It was fun and I know we all learned a lot. What struck me after the class was how truly vulnerable widows are. I don’t mean that we are vulnerable to unscrupulous men. We are vulnerable to our own need to connect, to touch, to be touched, and…
Indifferent
Indifferent: Lack of feeling. Being neither too much nor too little. Neither good nor bad. Neither right nor wrong. Journal entry this week: I wish I was upset, but I’m not. I wish I felt sad, but I don’t. Depressed?…don’t think so. I want to cry, but I can’t. Scream… but I won’t. I feel so out of place. Maybe this is it. I’ve finally snapped.
Sometimes I talk to him ….
Yes ….. sometimes I talk to Jim. This is a new experience for me. I’ve been a widow for over 16 months and I’ve never really “talked” to him …. until recently. I couldn’t do it before. I couldn’t believe that he could see and hear me. After all, I have no doubt that he is in Heaven …. no doubt at all. And I have no doubt that there…
The Roadless Traveler
I woke up Sunday morning, made the coffee, walked out on the back porch and listened to the birds. It was so peaceful outside and for about 30 seconds I enjoyed it. My brain wouldn’t be quiet though and the peaceful moment disappeared. I was feeling very anxious, melancholy, and uncertain, but couldn’t pinpoint the cause. I tried to quiet my mind…
Whose Life Is This?
The last couple of weeks have consisted of a whirlwind of new experiences, new people, new opportunities, and new challenges. Generally, I drop into bed exhausted and with little time to reflect due to my constant need to plan for the next day…not a new problem for me. When I do stop to look at the path my life has taken over the last 44 months,…
Innocence and Storytelling
This is my four year-old nephew Ethan posing with his beloved cousin Caitlin. Yesterday we celebrated several family events with a day at the park. In a quiet moment Ethan and I had a conversation that went like this…. E: Auntie Neechelle, where is your husband? M: Well E, my husband was your Uncle Phil and he died when you were just a baby.
The Fire
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…
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,…