Quote for the Week

"To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die." ~ Thomas Campbell

Widowhood: What's Next? Input Requested

Two years ago, as a fairly new widow, I taught a couple of courses called "Going It Alone: Resources for Widows and Widowers." Not a grief group, it addressed all sorts of resources for widowed people to access as they began their journey through life without their spouse. I talked about books, financial resources, maintaining health, managing those nagging jobs around the house that you didn't have to do because s/he did them, cooking for one, activities that might be interesting, ethical wills, and making a bucket list.

Now I'll be teaching the course again. Now I'm a more experienced widow, so I have more to add. But is it right? Is it enough? I'd very much like input from readers. What would you expect in such a course? Any resources you think are useful for widowed people?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Still want to write a six-word memoir? Contest runs for two more days.

Readers' Memoirs of Widowhood

Here are the 6-word memoirs posted by readers.

Left behind; must find own way.

It is Painful. Scary. Lonely. Unwanted.

Tested by fire, surviving by love.

I wish for a do over.

Not what I planned for us.

Life is short. Make it count.

Miss everything about us, my love.

Gotta kill my own bugs.

I love hard and mourn harder.

Six words? Can't touch my loss.

He is gone; I am here

So lonely, he shoud be here.

I'll not let death define me.

I'd do it all over again.


It's not too late to post yours. I'll be drawing a name for the book on Wednesday next week.

Houston Chronicle Features Bernice Dickey

Congraulations to Bernice Bright Dickey, author of My #1 is Still My #1, who was featured in this week's Belief section in the Houston Chronicle.

Check my archives to read my review of her book and later interview with her.

Thursday Review: Kitchen Table Wisdom by Rachel Naomi Remen

"Everybody is a story," says Dr. Remen early in this insightful and inspiring book. "When I was a child, people sat around kitchen tables and told their stories...It is the way wisdom got passed along. We may need to listen to each other's stories once again."

A physician, therapist, and survivor of chronic illness, Dr. Remen passes on those stories that we used to tell each other aloud.

Her book is divided into six sections: Life Force, Judgment, Traps, Freedom, Opening the Heart, and Embracing Life.

I have owned this book for many years and have given copies to friends on special, life-changing occasions. I re-read it while Ralph was hospitalized, and it gave me courage. I re-read it often.

Highly recommended

Interview

Hope you'll drop by Susan Katz Miller's blog to see her interview with me. She's at www.onbeingboth.wordpress.com

IT'S ELECTION DAY! DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

“Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don't vote.”
William E. Simon