Tomorrow is Easter Sunday, a holiday that has always been one of my favorites. It’s a time of renewal and hopeful warmer days. This past week we celebrated the first anniversary of acquiring Winnie, the puppy I brought home after a visit to our local Winn Dixie. Hard to believe a year has gone by […]
Widowed Holidays
The Loss of Future Memories
One of the things that makes our people “our people,” is the million things we know about them that few / no one knew, and – as importantly, the million things they knew about us that no one else knew. We were also “each other’s people” because of the special 1:1 memories we had, the […]
Happy “Fire Horse” New Year!
I went to the movies this afternoon and greeted my friend with, “Happy New Year!” She replied, “And Happy Mardi Gras and Ramadan!” Three big celebrations fall on the same day this year. For some years, in my own life, I look forward to the Chinese New Year each spring after being instructed in […]
My First Valentine’s Day
I never asked, but I think the Facebook post I made on my first widowed Valentine’s Day was the catalyst that led me to writing this blog. Tony died in April of 2021, and I attended my first Camp Widow in October of 2021. After Camp, I became Facebook friends with the people I’d met. […]
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 […]
A Valentine For You
V Very proud that you keep putting one foot in front of the other since your person left. A And how, when you fall down, you continue to get up and try again. L Love how bravery shows up for you at unexpected times . . . E Especially when you need it most. N […]
Tripping Around the Sun
The New Year has started out eventful. As the days grow slightly longer, they seem to be less heavy and lighter on all levels. I, too, feel the collective relief that those widowed often feel when the holiday season comes to an end. Even those who’ve moved forward with new life chapters feel the weight […]
Starting the new year alone …
Well, actually the first day of 2026 found me waking up at 6am in my brother’s home in Tennessee. So I wasn’t alone at the very start of this new year – instead I was ending a lovely time with my family before heading to the Knoxville airport and my return to the desert. I […]
New Years First
For the first time since Tony died, I found myself in town for New Years Eve. I have spent the last four years ringing in the new year anywhere but home. Part of me was dreading being here with all the couples I’m friends with when the clock struck midnight. The unknown of how it […]
Unexpected Havens
Writing this in Real Time early New Year’s Day. At precisely 12:01am, I experienced a deep sense of relief that 2025 had concluded softly without the loss of an immediate family member. I lost Rich in late 2021, my nephew who was the son of my late sister in May 2022 and my father and […]
Season’s Greetings
Today is New Year’s Day. By chance, I also posted here most recently on Christmas Day. Does my holiday timing forecast a propitious 2026? Only time will tell. Regardless, my dreams are modest. In fact, these days I’d be satisfied maintaining a status quo of sorts. Importantly, my 2026 status quo will no longer include […]
Rain, New Year’s Eve
by Maggie Smith Its New Year’s Eve and I’m arriving here late. It’s raining in So Cal about half a day’s worth, anyway. Perhaps Maggie’s poem will provide an insight or two. Sending love and light to all for a Happy New Year! Happy beginnings everyone…. we welcome another chance in […]