Recently widowed

Hello, I hope someone can understand how I feel after I lost my husband three weeks ago. He had cancer of the pharanx and suffered for a year and a half. We has been married for over 30 years and were very happy. I am heartbroken and, though blessed with friends and family I live alone now. When my father died, I felt he was always with me, guiding as I helped my mother cope and just there for me to talk to. I thought that widowhood would be like that. My husband would still be with me. But I have really lost him, can't find him or feel his presence anywhere. I used to think I saw my dad on the street, the same thing happened when people I knew died. Sometimes out of the corner of my eye I would see them. It was always a trick of the eye of course but it was strangely comforting.  But not a sign of my dear husband who I loved more than anyone. The grief at times is overwhelming.

  • Hi...it's now 6 years since I was widowed. Still feel the same way....lost. I'm dealing with it a bit better. My family help even thought it affects them too. Try and be as strong as you can be...

  • Its so hard I lost my partner in January after 38 years together my soul mate my best friend my life I am lost hate life without him im just struggling on but sometimes dont want to be here but I have to be brave for my family my sons grandkids but my life will never be the same again stay strong sending loves 

  • Im struggling as well.  Lost my husband in March to cancer.  Very short ilness but im devistated.  We were together for 40 years, married for 16years this September.  Cant believe his gone.  Sad most of the time but have huge support.  But still feel very alone most of the time.  x

     

  • Hi I've lost my wife 4 weeks ago cancer at the age of 59 been together 43 years and been married 36 years I'm so lost

  • Hello albow, I was searching for answers late last night and found your message. I am not yet a widow and I am trying to prepare myself...but I'm sure however well you think you 'prepare'  I imagine it hits you like a tonne of bricks when it actually happens...however many books you read or websites you search. 

    I am currently caring for my terminally ill husband who is at the end of life stage. We have been on a hell of a journey these past 19 months since his diagnosis of an aggressive brain tumour, and all the treatments and two surgeries....that's a whole other story which I do not need to tell here. I will be a widow soon, at 51. My husband is 59. We have been together 35 years. To the world you are just one person, to one person you are the world. He was my world since I was 16. 
     

    But, even though I am not at the stage you are, I want to give you some hope in these dark and gloomy times. I have met some amazing women who are widows, and they inspire me. They are proof that you can survive, but life will be different. Two of the ladies lost their husbands in the last few months and it's still raw, another two about two years ago, and the pain of loss is, shall I say... 'softer'. Also, two elderly ladies who lost their husbands a long time ago, one is 94 next month, the other in her late 70s, who actually remarried eventually, only to lose her second husband too. 
     

    The other things I want to share with you are a poem which has kept me going, by the late Albert Camus. He was a writer and philosopher, and was in the French Resistance in WWII, and won the Nobel Prize...

    In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.
    In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile. 
    In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm. 
    In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.
    And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there's something stronger- something better, pushing right back.

     

    The other was a saying on a calendar ....

    The only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that you are taking at this moment. That's all there ever is.

     

    Eckhart Tolle

     

    ...his book The Power of Now may also help.

     

    You may think to yourself, 'what does she know, she's not where I am at'...but I will be soon enough...and I hope I have given you some hope...which I will also cling onto ...

    They say ' be kind to yourself ' ...

    and take care ...

    Lisa