In Grief: Young Widow Seeks Support

[Reviewed and updated July 7, 2022]

I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with you ~ and then I realized that you spent the rest of your life with me. ~ Pinterest

A reader writes: Thanks for your advice that you have given to so many of us. I lost my husband 2 months ago. I am 26. He was 24. We were married for only 8 months before this tragedy struck. He and a friend died in a hiking accident. I went through what NO ONE should ever have to go through, unfortunately, all too many individuals suffer similar experiences. My heart aches for my friend and for my beloved husband most of all.

Voices of Experience: My Final Blog

The end of one chapter is just the beginning of another. Read on ... The best part is always yet to come. ~ Susan Gale

Michelle Midgett was 31 years old when she lost Joey, her husband of seven years and father of their four children. She writes that since her husband died she has learned a lot about herself and life. "I choose to keep fighting and my goal is to help others find that fire inside them and keep moving." The following essay appeared originally on the Soaring Spirits International blog, and is reprinted here with Michelle's permission.

Voices of Experience: Reconnecting and Healing with Nature ~ T. Roosevelt and Me

There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness, that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy, and its charm. ~ Theodore Roosevelt

Michelle Jarvie is an author and educator from Minneapolis, MN. In her beautiful essay below, she describes how she chose to observe the 36th birthday of her deceased husband: by honoring past memories, making new ones, and incorporating the healing power of nature. Michelle invites readers to connect with her online at her website, MichelleJarvie.com. See also Amazon's description and reviews of her recently published book, Then and Now: Changed Perspectives of a Young Widow.

Understanding and Managing Grief, January 18 - January 24, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Brilliant! Denial and Disbelief in Grieving, http://j.mp/1ycXQKE « Open to Hope

We Are All Made of Stars: Katherine Thome on Giving Birth in Grief, http://j.mp/1xOYRd1 « Mutha Magazine

What Losing Your Mother Feels Like, http://j.mp/1xOAP1Q « Huff Post Women

Understanding and Managing Grief, July 27 - August 2, 2014

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Child Loss: Finding Support on Your Grief Journey, http://j.mp/1lmTVGu « Ezine Articles

What is Aromatherapy? Interview with Marika Fleri of Aroma Treasures, http://j.mp/1rVN1f6 « Seven Ponds Blog

Bibliotherapy: When books are prescribed to heal the mind, http://j.mp/1pNxk6Y « The Boston Globe

Resources for Young Widow(er)s

[Reviewed and updated October 24, 2023]

There’s a tendency to picture widowhood as a consequence of old age, yet about one-third of widows lose their spouse before age 45. Widowhood is not something young women are prepared for, and they suffer post-traumatic stress disorder to some degree. ~ Gwen Peterson, president of Hope for Widows

A reader writes: Next month on the 8th it will have been two years since my husband died and I have to admit it still hurts horribly. I don't feel crazy anymore and I guess it is a bit less sharp...but it still hurts every day. I still cry at every anniversary and holiday. I still need to sleep with his shirt at night and I still ache for just one more hug. Will this ever stop hurting? I am 36 years old and I miss being in a relationship. Sometimes I think about dating again in the future, but I still feel like my husband's wife and the thought of loving another man feels so alien. Next week he will have been dead longer than we were together.