I searched for a support group after Luz passed away. Their on line pages espoused all of the successes some people had had with dating and subsequent marriages. I was not interested in that sort of experience. I haven't been to one yet. I actually felt better, just a bit, after talking to a neighbor whose own wife passed away 14 years ago. And to another acquaintance who has lost his second wife in October. I hope you find what you are looking for.
Thank you all for your thoughtful, kind and informative replies. I plan to attend a hospice bereavement support group beginning next week - giving it a try.
Im so glad you are giving the support group a try. When i lost my husband due to cancer, i was working in oncology at a large medical facility. I did take the initiative to go to hospice support group and they helped even more than the psychologist i had been seeing. Please take the time you need to grieve and begin the healing process...it’s different for each of us. Many blessings to you!💞
Sorry for your loss. Bereavement is a long process. No time line and no rules. If there is a Hospice in your area most have Bereavement sessions and many are not just for families that had had someone on Hospice. So it is worth a call. Check churches in your area some have Bereavement sessions. Another possibility contact the Alzheimer's Association and ask if they are aware of any support groups. Alzheimer's and the loss you have had there can be a lot of what some may think of a guilt. The relief that this is over, relief that your husband is no longer suffering, relief that you will not have to care for him, relief that you can go back to what many consider a "normal" life. So many contradictory feelings and they are all normal. I have kept myself busy, sometimes I wonder if I am away from the house too much maybe a therapist would say I am avoiding...who knows. I have great days, and once in a while a song will come on the radio and I find myself crying. It has been almost 3 years. But there are times when it feels longer ago than that. Like I said there is no timeline, no rules as to how you should feel and when. I did not think I needed a Bereavement Support Group but I went anyway and I did something out of it. Honor his memory, grieve the loss but live your life.
Grandma1954..,.im also a “54”.... such a heartfelt answer, so honest and true. Ive been down that road. My husband passed from pancreatic cancer in 97 and when i hear the song Unchained Melody i still get tears in my eyes because i miss him, but also a smile on my face and in my heart, remembering the love we shared and the good times we had together. Thank you...
Condolences for your loss. These are the months when losing him goes from the brain into the heart. A bereavement Group might be worth a try. I went to one in the city, an hour away, after my 1st DH died of cancer. It was not run in a way that made me comfortable. A bit later one started closer, and it was wonderful. It is important to be able to share and feel safe. Big hugs!
I was not interested in that sort of experience. I haven't been to one yet.
I actually felt better, just a bit, after talking to a neighbor whose own wife passed away 14 years ago. And to another acquaintance who has lost his second wife in October.
I hope you find what you are looking for.
Bereavement is a long process. No time line and no rules.
If there is a Hospice in your area most have Bereavement sessions and many are not just for families that had had someone on Hospice. So it is worth a call. Check churches in your area some have Bereavement sessions.
Another possibility contact the Alzheimer's Association and ask if they are aware of any support groups.
Alzheimer's and the loss you have had there can be a lot of what some may think of a guilt. The relief that this is over, relief that your husband is no longer suffering, relief that you will not have to care for him, relief that you can go back to what many consider a "normal" life. So many contradictory feelings and they are all normal.
I have kept myself busy, sometimes I wonder if I am away from the house too much maybe a therapist would say I am avoiding...who knows.
I have great days, and once in a while a song will come on the radio and I find myself crying. It has been almost 3 years. But there are times when it feels longer ago than that.
Like I said there is no timeline, no rules as to how you should feel and when.
I did not think I needed a Bereavement Support Group but I went anyway and I did something out of it.
Honor his memory, grieve the loss but live your life.