A Journey of Hope After Loss

I think everyone grives differently- I lost my husband almost 4 months ago and most people think I am doing well because when they ask me how I am doing I say ok but am overwhelmed with all the details of dealing with the paperwork that comes up but it is important for me to be independent-and I do have a strong church family and also being his caregiver for so many years was very hard but I am sure others think I should be more upset but I am dealing with it as I need to and do not become concerned how others think I should feel or act.

Austin, good to hear you are doing what you need to take care of you. Hope your stress level has changed, from dealing with the caregiving, to taking care of yourself. Lots to do, but now you can do it all for you. That has to be an adjustment for you, no doubt. Hope the details get easier for you as you become accustomed to everything, solo. We can't please everyone, and not everyone will understand. Glad to hear you have a good support system in place. Take care!

This article is beautiful!! Thank you, this was helpful to me. Having lost my Dad just less than three months ago, this article brought tears to my eyes. I feel more normal now, feeling exactly what Linda Drake has written about. Even though losing my Dad was traumatic and horribly sad for me, I feel priviledged to have been the one chosen by him, to be by his side, and to be the one to hear the very last beat of his heart. And just recently have opened myself up, and received a spiritual sign that he has crossed over, and is happy. Even so, I cry still everyday, because I miss him so very much.

Hi Austin and Naus. so good to see you both post. Austin you are doing just what you are supposed to be doing. For years after I lost my son I thought I had to do well for others and it took me a long time to start dealing with my feelings my how I have grown, its 27 years and I still cry and do a lot of what ifs but I think that is the nature of our grief, I do know he is in a better place and just happened to acheive getting to that higher relm before the rest of us. God Bless you.

Naus. You are so sweet, I feel the same about my Dad he passed almost 3 years ago but I am so thankful it was my hand he was holding and my tears he felt and my eyes he looked into when he took his last breathe. I still cry about him and girls you do know you can cry without shedding tears, its the love in your heart and the hole that is there when they leave . But it will be okay I know both my son and my Dad would still want me to be happy.

And... I am still taking care of mother and that is quite another story.

Take care and have a blessed day!

Thank you Neon, you are so thoughtful. I hope all is going well with you, and Mom. I know you have so much to deal with too, and all of the other lovely caregivers on this site. Even though I have been away much of the time, you are all still in my heart and prayers, and I think of you all often. I have just been busy, taking care of business and family, so many "have to do's" and not enough "want to do's". Love and hugs to you all. :)