-
Younger Widowers and Tuition
A young widow wondered: How can I ever pay their tuition? WILL BEING A PARENT ON YOUR OWN PUT YOUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE EDUCATION AT RISK? My kids’ post-secondary educations were taken care of well before my wife died. Younger solo parents may be far less prepared. When Mary passed away in 2020, my kids were…
-
SHOULD A WIDOW(ER) PAY FOR THEIR CHILD’S WEDDING?
WITH THE AVERAGE COST OF A WEDDING HOVERING AT $60,000, HOW MUCH AM I EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE? My two boys found love and are getting married. As a widower, I’m both happy and sad and wondering about the price tag. I’m going to be Father of the Groom at… not one, but two… weddings. My…
-
ACCEPTING LIFE AS A WIDOWER: THE 30 MONTH MARK
I lost my wife Mary in January 2020. At the time I didn’t know how I’d move forward. My journey continues, on a road paved by acceptance. January 2020 was when my beloved wife, friend, soulmate, and rock of 33 years, Mary, passed away after a brave fight against cancer. PERSONAL COMMUNITY After Mary’s death,…
-
Can Being Widowed Make You A Better Person?
WHEN MARY DIED, I LOST MY SOULMATE AND THE LOVE OF MY LIFE. BUT I DISCOVERED SOMEONE NEW – MYSELF. The mere thought that being a widow or widower can have positive aspects feels taboo – something we don’t talk about. I’m about to say what might sound like the most terrible thing a widow…
-
Nine Ways To Simplify Your Life
WHEN DID LIFE GET SO BUSY? I’M HEARING THE MANTRA, “TOO MUCH TO DO, TOO LITTLE TIME” FAR MORE THESE DAYS. When I became a widower, all of life’s have-to-dos seemed to double. I became a widower just before the emergence of COVID. The stress that was put on me both personally and professionally was…
-
Life Insurance for Widowers
by Richard Dri When the reality of life insurance sinks in. GRIEF. GUILT. THE UNEXPECTED EMOTIONAL GUT PUNCH OF A LIFE INSURANCE CHECK. You and your spouse both knew that life insurance made perfect sense. Now as a widower, why do you feel so guilty? I don’t think there’s a person reading this who doesn’t…
-
Tips for People Dating Widows and Widowers
My five Personal Pointers for dating someone who lost their spouse. In previous articles, I have explained my belief that love is an infinite resource and has the ability to multiply again and again. For example, when a widow/widower is ready, they will expand their ability to love, and without guilt, they will be able…
-
What Does A Widow(er) Do With The Wedding Rings
by Richard Dri A RING IS A SYMBOL OF “TILL DEATH DO US PART”. HOW DOES A SURVIVING SPOUSE PROPERLY HONOUR THE RINGS THAT ACCOMPANIED THAT VOW? When Mary died, I tucked her wedding and engagement rings into the safe. I’m still not sure what to do with them – or my own rings. My…
-
Now that I’m a widower, should I treat my three kids equally in my will?
by Richard Dri After Mary died, I began rethinking our mutual agreement to treat each child equally. As a widower, I must have the confidence to make my own decisions even if it means contradicting my late spouse’s positions. When Mary and I drafted our Wills, we agreed to leave everything to the surviving spouse…
-
“Retiring To” vs “Retiring From”
by Richard Dri IMAGINE 25-30 YEARS AHEAD TO DO EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT, WHEN YOU WANT. ARE YOU READY FOR THAT? Don’t confuse retirement with vacation. It’s important you create a plan that’s fulfilling for the long-term, and about more than just having the money. I recently turned 60. Five years away from retirement, if…
Widowers Support Network 