These are two words whose meanings have changed for me since Phil’s death. Perspective used to be a word I threw around when I wanted someone else to view a certain topic or situation in a different light. Looking back, I doubt that I worried too much about how I viewed the world around me. Things in my life were pretty black and white, and I liked my goals and plans to be well defined. I know you are laughing right now.
Before Phil died I did things on purpose and expected the intended result. More often than not I achieved what I set out to do, and on the odd occasion when things didn’t work out as planned, I would move onto plan B with relative ease. At least that is how things were when the world made sense.
Death mixed up my vocabulary. Many words no longer have the same meaning since I lost my husband. I have an odd feeling that someone swapped my old trusty Webster’s Dictionary for the Death and Grief edition.
The meanings for the words perspective and purpose that are found in my new dictionary can be aptly applied to the mission of our blog here at Widow’s Voice. We strive to bring you several different perspectives on the journey of widowhood. Our voices are each unique. Our stories reflect our personal reality. The authors of Widow’s Voice come from different backgrounds, and we work in disparate fields–yet a variety of paths have led us to the same destination. And from that landing point we have come to find our purpose. We all reach out to others who understand that no matter how different our experiences with death may be, the searing pain of loss is universal. We are a group that believes in the power of a community of widowed people.
Using my old dictionary I may have felt the need to change your perspective. Now I hope we offer you the gift of perspective. Previously I counted on the outcome of my purpose to determine the merit of my action plan. Today I can tell you that fueling a purpose is more important than the gains that result from the effort. Through death I have found a surprising purpose, and I view life with a whole new perspective.
Beginning next week, our Thursday blog will provide us with the male perspective of love and loss. The purpose of this, and other upcoming changes to our blog, is to extend the reach of the hope we offer our readers, and to create a better rounded view of the world of widows. I think you are going to love this. Stay tuned.