Good morning. Here I am again writing on a Saturday that happens to be a major American holiday; this one celebrating the 250th anniversary of the USA. As many of us who are widowed know, weekends coinciding with holidays can often prove to be draining instead of festive; delivering a double emotional whammy. I still […]
Widowed and New Love
A Dating Methodology
Over the last few years, I’ve dated on and off. I’ve primarily used dating apps because I don’t find myself ‘in the wild’ where there are other single people. Dating as a widow, after a marriage I was happy in has been a challenge. While I can feel broken and discombobulated, I also know what […]
The Many ‘Hoods of the Widowed
This past week had its ups and downs. My home in Georgia that is currently on the market received an offer, but as so often happens in this process, things didn’t work out. I recall when Rich and I closed on that home in 2020 and we hadn’t sold our home in New Jersey yet. […]
A Short Post Regarding a Long Road
All good things come to an end. Today, I depart Tucson for home. It is early morning and still dark. Even as Lola the pup snoozes peacefully, I will need the next several hours to prepare for our immediate departure, then more hours on the road in the heat of the day to reach Albuquerque. […]
Love and Comfort in the Desert
Robyn arrived in Tucson late last Thursday. I double-parked my car and sat listening to Albert King and his band playing the blues. Robyn’s flight was over one hour late. The airport felt deserted, but this did not prevent a cop on a bicycle from chasing me off a half-dozen or more times. I kept […]
Robyn Rides Again
Robyn arrives in Tucson late tonight. In advance of her arrival, I just had my place professionally cleaned, but it didn’t do much good with Lola the pup close at hand. I will have to clean up lightly again later today. I love Lola, but she is a hound of the first order. In the […]
Timelines
While watching tv I saw an ad for a sitcom about marriage. They were making a joke about how long after death they had to wait to find a new partner. He told her she had to wait half the time they were married, then she quipped that he wouldn’t wait. […]
When Longtime Traditions Change
Yesterday, I facilitated a parol making workshop for a large group of Filipinos, some I have known since I was a child. Parols are a traditional, Philippine lantern displayed during the holiday season, and made of capiz shells. OUR homemade carols, however, are made of bamboo sticks and cellophane paper. Years ago, I would bring […]
New Firsts with A New Love
I remember clearly the first time I met Lynn’s parents and family… the anxiety, apprehension, excitements, all the things. Also, it was the first time we traveled on a plane together (from California to Atlanta). Every part of the trip was a new, nervous experience for me, to the extent that I privately asked a […]
The SIgnificance of Widow Friends
I had brunch in the Castro in San Francisco today with two close widow friends, one of their partners, and my (alive) partner. I met my two widow friends thru Soaring Spirits’ LGBTQI+ Regional Group, and we are in our own tight knit group of 15 widows and 3 (now 4) alive partners of 4 […]
The Power of Holding Her Hand
June was Pride Month AND Filipino Heritage Month, and is always my busiest month as a result. I am greatly involved in organizing many of the activities, as well as participating in those I have no responsibility with (often my favorite times). I couldn’t help but remember the many memories Lynn and I made over […]
My Beautiful Italian Father-In-Law
After one of Lynn’s Celebrations of Life, her father, Gus, pulled me aside to talk alone. He told me that he knew how much Lynn and I loved each other, and that he wanted me to find a new love one day. He emphasized that they (Lynn’s family) would welcome my new partner with open […]