The past five weeks or so have been new to me, having joined the rank of "widowhood" since my husband, Jerry, died March 11, 2022. This is a designation I figured would come to me first but it still isn't easy to know I am a member of this group.
Grief has always been an interest to me, having facilitated groups for twenty-four years but now I find myself questioning if I am "doing it right" because it doesn't seem too challenging at the moment. There are lots of variables that influence this journey so knowing how long he was struggling, his age and a few other things certainly affect my own journey.
I have had many years to contemplate these times. Many years ago a good friend even asked, "have you ever thought about..." this and that associated with an aging husband, of which I certainly had.
When I hear others whose spouse succumbed to a tragic illness, is young or died tragically, I simply can not imagine that adjustment. As hard as it was all these years watching my husband decline so dramatically, I have come to the conclusion there is a "gift" in that suffering, for both sides.
He couldn't have been more at peace and neither could I. Watching the suffering linger was so hard to observe. There were so many blessings during his last days it would take a few chapters to share it all.
I know many others who are in the "W" club, too, and yet their journey is completely different from mine; each membership is unique. There are some similarities and those specifics will come to light with time but right now I am just beginning to realize what this new chapter is all about.
Thank you too, for all those friends and acquaintances who have shared condolences in any way. It warms my heart. 
Courtesy of Pixabay
