August 11, 2017

The Evolution of a New Widow

My husband died 15 months ago and there have been many changes. Some days I feel like that's what my life is now: change.

I'm doing really well. So are my kids.

We've been through the gambit of grief emotions, of course. It's interesting to me to note, though, that I haven't experienced much anger.

I've said it many times (whether here or elsewhere) that I am grateful for the end of Mark's suffering. He had a really hard life and was so strong and resilient through it all. He deserved to go peacefully, as he did. It was a relief and a blessing. Our kids know this too.

If I ever feel negative about anything, it's a frustration with not being able to understand why some people have to go through such difficulties and, more importantly to me, why I had to lose the man I loved so much, and who loved me too. The loss of such a real and true love is senseless to me; feels like a waste.

If Mark had been a typically healthy man, we would have been married for 50+ years. Instead, we only got 22 years together (married 18), and that does feel like a rip-off.

However, I roll with the idea of accepting the things we cannot change, so I have. And I'm grateful for having that love and the time we did. It will always be mine. I had that. I did that. I loved fiercely and unconditionally, and I'm proud of it.

But back to changes. Just when I was getting used to being a family of 3, my mama bear heart decided to take in a friend of my daughter's who needed to be removed from her home.

She started staying with us two days before my birthday in April and I believe she will stay indefinitely. She really has no other stable option. Being with us means she gets to be someplace safe and familiar, not bounced around foster homes.

Taking on another kid when I'm already an ONLY parent to two of my own has been a lot, and does stress me out some days, but she's such a sweet girl (just turned 16) and is so happy to be with us, that I just can't see why she shouldn't be here.

Although, all this selfless giving of myself to the care of others (seriously) has shown me that I deserve some things too. I'm 43 years old and have not had the opportunity to explore what all I might enjoy or like to do.

For example, I have finally volunteered at our local food bank. I know, I know, not a selfish thing to do, but it is something I've wanted to try for years. I've gone only once so far because it's been very hot and I did not like sweating for four hours straight, but I intend to get into a routine of going weekly.

Another thing I've decided to do is.....wait for it.....date. Not to seriously find my "chapter 2", as widows like to call it. Just to go out, meet new people (adults!) and have some fun. I have set up profiles on two dating apps, and have met two men. The first was very nice, but there wasn't anything there. I saw the second guy for about two weeks.

So over the last 15 months, I went from a married mother of two to a widowed mother of three who is attempting to step out of her comfort zone to give back and meet new people.

Really? Me? Who AM I?

Who am I NOW?

That's the million dollar question, isn't it?



PS: My social media buttons are gone because Photobucket is apparently no longer offering free third party image hosting. If you're interested in following me, there's a social media page at the top with links to my accounts. :-)

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