Stereotypes

Don't you hate widow stereotypes? Months before my husband died, I pictured myself as a widow, and the image certainly wasn't flattering. A dried up, sad old lady with lips turned down and shoulders hunched. But isn't that the connotation of a lot of widow synonyms? Dowager, beldam, crone, hag. Even matron doesn't sound too cool.

Then there are the other words for widow, words that imply she's a woman on the make. Words like vamp, vixen, flirt, siren. And of course there's the evil black widow.

Personally, I prefer the word survivor. The basic definition is "one who survives." That doesn't tell you much. The legal definition is "one who outlives a spouse."

But the definition I like best is "a person who continues to function in spite of opposition, hardships or setbacks." Folks, that's us!

See you in seven.