Tomorrow is the official first day of summer, the longest day of the year. Abundant sunlight often extends the hours of our days long after 6:00pm with those bright rays lingering even three hours later. This has always been my favorite time of the year. 

I think for some people that are grieving the loss of a spouse or signficant other, however, these longer days of summer can be difficult. Perhaps we find ourselves sad and alone navigating vacations and traditional family gatherings, more walks on the beach, or by the lake without their Special Person. 

Some, however, are grateful that the nights are shorter as they find them too long, too quiet, isolating, providing them with too much time to remember past seasonal highlights. 

Whatever your perspective, I hope these longer days encourage my fellow-widowed to take advantage of just being outside for longer periods of time, absorbing that life-enhancing sun and Vitamin D. I believe there is therapy in that; more dog walks, more tending of gardens, or if in urban locales, more outdoor dining or coffee breaks. 

I read recently that when we get “laminated” in our daily schedules we are more prone to depression or just lack enthusiasm for living. It was suggested that even just getting out to run errands, maybe even taking some side road, or changing up your regular outing routines, can bring beneficial results in our emotional state. Who knows what’s down that unexplored path?

Let’s put lamination on vacation. 

This weekend also includes Father’s Day, another well-intended and much-deserved holiday, but for some it can be bittersweet. There are so many who no longer have a beloved dad with whom to share that special occasion.

There are fathers that are estranged from sons and daughters.

There are widowers who no longer have their partners who might have done something special for them on this day.

There are men who never had a family and might regret that.

My own father, Jack, passed in April 2023 and my mom 11 months later. I was very close to my parents and although I’m constantly told that I was lucky to have them for so long, conversely with their passing, I’ve practically lost my entire immediate family. 

The other day, while picking out some Dad Day cards for my partner David, from our pack of four dogs, I found myself tearing up looking at cards I might’ve bought for my own father. I know I was fortunate to have such a great dad for 64 years. I know not everyone can say that.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that on Tuesday, June 23rd, we honor International Widow’s Day an event established to raise awareness about issues affecting widows around the world including in some cases poverty, violence, discrimination, sudden financial challenges, change in social status, isolation and the difficulties of creating a new identity while moving forward, never on.

In essence this day serves as a powerful reminder that we must be resilient and strategic in the face of profound loss, no matter our personal situations.

With so many Awareness Observances that exist, I hope the non-widowed among us might take a moment to truly understand the difficulties of widowhood, although one of the biggest challenges is that until you’ve experienced it, it is impossible to grasp just how life-changing it is. 

Happy Father’s Day to all of our dads out there. I’d also be remiss to note that there are fathers, widowed and not, who consider their pets as family and their “fur-sons”. As there is an official observance known as Dog Mom Day, celebrated the day before Mother’s Day, I hereby proclaim the day before Father’s Day as officially Paw Dad Day (covers alot of furry species).

Happy Paw Dad Day and Start of Summer. I truly understand the power of the paw in finding our way forward in all seasons, especially in the international network of the widowed population.