RELATIONAL HEALTH FOR WIDOWS
My husband died two days after his 49th birthday. A week later it was to be our 26th wedding anniversary. The next week, his best friend turned 50. His wife was hosting a surprise 50th birthday party for him. I had known about this party for months. In another lifetime, I would have been helping my friend plan the party. But not in this new world that I was thrust into.
I got ready to go to the party reluctantly. I was only going out of obligation. He was my husband’s best friend. His wife had become one of my closest friends. Our children had grown up together. This is what friends do — we celebrate milestones with each other.
I arrived. I am walking through the crowd of people and feeling the pitying stares as I walk around. He sees me. His face lights up into a big grin as he walks towards me and grips me in a bear hug. “I am so glad you are here,” he says. I’m not. He shows me where the food and drinks are and is drawn away by another party guest. I sne…
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Widow Life™ to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.