Author Archives: jenr8ion widow

I cannot speak for every widow, or everyone that has ever grieved a big loss, but what I can do is tell my story and hope that my truth provides some insight into the mind of a young widowed mother. The Bad: The bad is pretty obvious. My husband was dead. He left and thingsContinue reading “The Bad, the Ugly, and the Good”

By elephant, I mean COVID 19, or more commonly know as the Coronavirus. Our news feeds and social media feeds are filled with updates, dos, and don’ts. As much as I hate to add to mix, I would also hate to ignore the crisis we find ourselves in and express how this may or mayContinue reading “Let's not avoid the elephant in the room.”

This is a fact. Widows (and widowers) can be and are ROCK STARS! They may not always feel like it, and in fact, they probably NEVER feel like it, but they are indeed superstars! Widows are not strong by choice, they are strong by circumstance. They are stronger than they think. And maybe you knowContinue reading “Widows can be ROCK STARS”

There are so many falsities when it comes to being a widow, so many myths and stereotypes, especially when widowhood comes at a relatively young age. I would like to take a moment to set the record straight on a few things. First, lets review some facts, according to the U.S. Bureau of Census, basedContinue reading “More about the widow, less about you”

Ambivert, introvert, antisocial, … whatever, keep your social expectations for me set at low and we will get along just fine. I have ALWAYS been lacking in the patience department, that has not changed since my husband’s passing.  If anything, my pool of patience has shallowed.  I don’t have time nor energy for idle chit-chat.Continue reading “Don’t call me, I’ll text you later…”

It’s February 14th!  The day for love, the month with Valentine’s Day.  While Valentine’s Day means something different to me than most (it is the day my husband passed away), it is a day to celebrate love none-the-less. There are no mushy cards, there are no balloons and chocolates, no fancy dates, and no sappyContinue reading “A Bittersweet Valentine”

Continuing with the February love theme, I will be addressing “love after loss” all month. When I first became a widow, like many before me, and many after me, I was resolved in my statement, “I will never fall in love again, I will never re-marry.” And guess what? I meant it. I did notContinue reading “Love after loss is complicated”

As I write this, it is January 28th.  My beautiful and talented daughter is celebrating her 16th birthday.  This means more than just a Sweet 16, or the age she earns her driver’s license, this year marks 8 years since she lost her father.  She has officially been without him for half of her life.Continue reading “An unwanted milestone…”

When someone important, like your husband dies, everyone in your life has a tendency to ask….”are you speaking to anyone?…I mean professionally?”  Dancing around the subject of “hey there, you have been sad long enough, maybe you should seek professional help.”  Oh sure, everyone means well, telling you what you need in your life toContinue reading “Grief Group – not just a cry-fest”