A widows letter to inpsire
January 6, 2007 by Anna Farmery
Filed under Comfort Yourself, Grief, Loneliness, Guilt & Depression, Positive Changes
I received this e-mail and it really did brighten my day, I hope it brightens yours and gives you hope.
“I am 87 years old and have been a widow for 8 months. I had been married for 66 years and know the true feeling of love. When he died I started to drink, at first to get to sleep and then more in the hope that I didn’t wake up. I just wanted to go to him, I couldn’t bare to be apart. Other than the war we had never spent a night apart and I could not face life without him. My great grandchildren who I love very much came to visit a few months ago, and for my birthday bought me a computer. I mean me a computer for a 87! But it has opened up a whole new world to me. I have been reading a Widows Quest for a few weeks and it has helped me understand that no matter what age you are, loss is loss. Age is not the reason for wanting to give up, it is the pain that you feel all through your body.
Through reading your writing it has taught me that despite my age, I owe it to myself, my family and my dear Tom’s memory to overcome this depression. I am fit, and I still have things that I dream of doing. I would never have dreamed of learning about blogs, the internet a few months ago and now I feel I have friends all over the world.
My advice that I wanted to share is this. Life is special, a gift from God and we – no matter our age – should value it. We valued the life of the person we lost, so why not value our own. I have taken your advice of writing 3 dreams that I want to come true including visiting my grandchildren in South Africa. I have booked the tickets and although a few people think that it is too much at my age, I have said “You are never too old to live your dream”.
Thank you for sharing the pain that you are feeling and please know that pain never goes away but you can balance it by doing things that make you happy.”
Wow, Joan from Toronto has really made me think. 87 and exploring new countries and learning new skills! I don’t know about you, but I feel that is Joan can, I can. Thank you for such an inspiring story.
That is a great and inspiring story even for a dad like me
I think it is well said that loss is loss whether you are 87 or 27. That is so true!
What an amazing letter!
Mark
I hope Joan sends you a post card from South Africa!
What a great story! Joan is truely an inspiration.
My grandfather passed away this year and my grandmother is doing so well. She is happy and participating in church actively. My grandfather would be pleased.
A great letter indeed. I am very excited that Joan is going to visit another country. Age should not limit her in learning new things and doing new things. I am glad that she is enjoying life.
Thank you for sharing this story. As a newlywed, this long-lived love is very inspiring. I can’t wait to continue my browsing.