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Autumn Leaves
In some of my previous articles, I mentioned how I was a member of some cover bands during my teenage years. It was the sixties. Growing up in Nashville, the influence of country music surrounded me, yet it did not interest me. I was a big Beach Boys and Beatles fan (among others). Yet, to…
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I don’t know what to say; Is there a way I can help?
I have several friends I often speak with, and I must preface that they have been highly supportive since my wife died over two years ago. I appreciate the meals, the invitations to parties, and the opportunities to socialize with them, but there is this feeling of discomfort every time we get together. There is…
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Imposters Syndrome – Overcoming Self-Doubts
Robin Williams, Richard Nixon, Oprah Winfrey, Ernest Hemingway, Vincent Van Gogh, Marilyn Monroe, John Steinbeck, George Washington, John F Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln, and many others struggled with their self-esteem and thought themselves imposters at some point during their lifetime. Why do so many successful people struggle emotionally and psychologically? Why do they often feel that…
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Grief and the Workplace
David Knapp “Take as long as you need,” the memo read. My boss’s signature followed. When I met with the administration board of the school I was teaching at and explained that Ruth’s death was imminent, their hearts were breaking, as was mine. After a long silence, one said, “Take as long as you need,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Selling Your House
by Dr. Nyle Kardatzke, PhD If you have had the good fortune of owning a home and enjoying it with your wife and children, you have had a great blessing. If you own a home, as I do, you will likely reach a point where you will question whether you should continue living there. I…
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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…
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Avoidance is a big part of dealing with Grief, Trauma and Despair.
by Cynthia Mascarenhas RN, LNCC While your immediate grief response is a fear that you will forget, your immediate trauma response is a fear that you will always remember; the reality is daily you work hard to not remember – the person you loved and lost or the person who failed to love you and…