A recent New York Times piece about a mother dolphin observed carrying her deceased pup in her mouth, and accompanied by fellow dolphins, poses the question: Do animals experience grief? I, for one, believe they do. At least when we’re talking about the most complex higher mammals, including, in addition to these dolphins, killer whales, […]
About Gary Ravitz
Better Understanding My Emotions
I was sitting at Robyn’s kitchen table. We were talking with one of her granddaughters, Sarah, who was regaling us with the highlights of a just-completed trip with her long-time boyfriend, Paul. She mentioned in passing that while they were gone, Paul’s mother, having experienced a pain in her back during the prior month, had […]
Good Morning
“I’ve got nothing to say, but it’s okay.” (From “Good Morning,” by the Beatles.) *** I have been contributing to the Widow’s Voice blog on a weekly basis since February 2021. By my rough calculation, this means, God willing, that by the end of 2026, I will have churned out around 300 written pieces for […]
The Queen of Spaulding
Around these parts, Lola the pup, aka Lola the Wonder Dog, is simply referred to as the Queen of Spaulding (our street’s name). Hardly a day goes by that I won’t overhear a passerby remark, “she’s so cute,” or request of me an opportunity to reach through the wrought iron fence to stroke her shiny […]
Home Care
The older I get—I just celebrated my seventy-fifth birthday — the more closely I pay attention to senior care issues. This intensified interest is driven by pure self-interest, coupled with the stark reality that I live alone and have no immediate family. The New York Times reports that by 2034, the number of senior citizens […]
A Status Report
On this day six years ago, my sweet Lee breathed her last. Her death was not sudden or unexpected. The cancer took its time, forcing us eventually to look past hope. For me, the first real glimmer into a future without Lee occurred a few months earlier, as she began to experience severe and frightening […]
Sometimes It’s Not the Thought That Counts
Just before Father’s Day, one of my two nephews sent me a text, inquiring whether I planned to join them. I responded, simply asking where and when the festivities would occur. He replied vaguely, “around dinner time,” adding that his brother was supposed to pick the place where we would meet. This was typical of […]
Return to Deer Tick Manor
For no real reason, last night I made a virtual, stealthy visit back to Deer Tick Manor. As best I could discern, the place is not currently on the market, which I was happy to see. According to both Zillow and Realtor.com, Deer Tick has appreciated in value substantially since 2022, when I sold it […]
Why June Is My Most Challenging Month
Whenever I choose, I can fill my head with swirls of happier images, my sense impressions of my life with Lee. I don’t need to look at our wedding photographs to conjure these emotions; indeed, I couldn’t tell you the last time I sat down to peruse the album of wedding photographs in my bookcase. […]
The Beginning of the End
Six years ago on this date, Lee was languishing in a hospital bed, stricken with late-stage pancreatic cancer. Hers was a horrible existence. She was in severe physical pain, of course, but was suffering terribly emotionally, too. She not only had trouble getting straight answers from members of the medical team, but, perhaps more importantly, […]
Ready…Set?
I came across an interesting article about solo travelers who are in a couple’s relationship. It played off those for whom such travel represents mind-expanding liberation against others who see it as a relationship red flag. In my current world, solo travel is essential. If I want to visit a place, I must either go […]
Out of the Blue
Out of the blue, I received a text message from Joe’s wife, Katie. Regular readers know that Joe is Lee’s nephew. Joe, Katie, and their two children, Allie and Dean, now live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It had been at least one year, probably more, since I last saw or heard from them. Katie wanted […]