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HEAD-BASED VS. HEART-BASED
David Knapp One of the potential grieving methods I found could be called “head-based vs. heart-based” grieving. The head-based part would be when I used simple logic to deal with my loss. “She’s in a better place.” “I am strong and can get through this.” “I know things will get better for me.” The use…
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LOVE HURTS
Most of us over 50 remember the popular song, Love Hurts, written by Boudleaux Bryant and sung by Roy Orbison, Nazareth, Everly Brothers, and many others. The first lyrics, though written for the pain of young love, apply equally to the pain we feel when our wives pass: Love hurtsLove scarsLove wounds and marksAny…
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You must open yourself up again if you ever want to heal.
One of my favorite tv shows is NCIS. I love the characters, the plot lines, and the exciting stories they investigate. Obviously, it’s a show that deals with death in every episode, but it’s also a show in which the main characters learn to deal with personal tragedy and how to deal with grief. In…
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Forgiveness – what role does it play in my grief journey?
Guilt and anger are recognized characteristics of the grief journey – Guilt over what could have been done or should have been done; guilt over things left unsaid or things that were better left unsaid; guilt over those fleeting moments where a smile might form around the corners of your mouth; guilt for some unknown…
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Are You Talking to Others?
After losing our wives, many of us find ourselves unable to communicate effectively with others. Even those of us who come from careers in communication may find ourselves suddenly at a loss for words. Numbness, physical and mental pain, a sense of surrealness, and disrupted attention spans interfere with our ability to comprehend, organize thoughts,…
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Moving Forward: Cherish the Memories, Life is Short
Teach us to realize the brevity of life so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NLT Good memories produce feelings of warmth and happiness, but those memories become painful when grieving the loss of a loved one. We long for the relationship to be restored, but it can never be. Sometimes the pain…
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I’ll See You On the Windward Side of the Mountain!
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” We all know that a mountain is the highest landform on the earth’s surface, and valleys are the low-lying regions between two mountains. Valleys are formed on either side of the mountain and are topographically contrasting. As the winds flow towards the mountain,…
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Grow, Process and Grieve
I’ve been widowed for over 30 years. What shocked me was how ignorant the older generations were toward me. As a young adult, I assumed that those considerably older than me had the experience and maturity to handle life’s difficult situations. I quickly learned this was not the case at all. Losing my soul mate…
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The Day Muhammad Ali Died
Mohammad Ali; “The Greatest”, “The People’s Champion”, “The Louisville Lip” died on June 3, 2016. What followed was an outpouring of love, admiration, and a memorial of a giant in boxing and humanitarianism. Many spoke of the influence on their lives, the chance meetings, or escapades in the ring. In that number were many of…
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QUICK HITTERS # 4
Quick Hitters are brief responses to Questions posed by author Fred Colby to his fellow WSN contributors. They offer a variety of perspectives on some of the most challenging questions facing new widowers. Enjoy. Quick Hitter Question #4: How Can I Overcome the Terrible Loneliness I am Feeling? Jim Winner: It’s so easy just to…
Widowers Support Network 