Happy Holidays

And, thank you.  It has been a year since I began blogging on being a widow.  I want to thank all of you for your support.  Thousands of widows have visited this site with many leaving comments that I have personally found inspiring.

Only we understand the challenges that widows face every day. It is not easy.  Being able to share my thoughts and fears with all of you has helped me cope.  I hope this blog has done the same for you.

I am going away for the holidays.  But I will be back after the first of the year.  In the meantime don't hesitate to speak up on Widowsspeakup.com.  Holidays are not easy so feel free to express yourself and share your feelings on this blog site.

Have a happy and safe holiday season.

Sue

Holiday presents

At this time of year it is impossible not to think about holidays past. While gift giving was part of our celebrations we tried to keep it in check.  Not too many gifts and not too expensive was our tradition.

Lane was really good at matching up each kid with a special gift.  He would buy something that captured each one as an individual.  His gifts to the kids were personal and creative.

But when it came to my gift he usually didn't have a clue.  One year I got jumper cables.  Another year he went with a workout endurance theme.  That year I got a jump rope, hand weights, leg weights and a stop watch.  Let's not forget the Ove Glove.  I think he threw in a roasting pan with that gift. 

When Lane ran out the creative ideas he bought pearls.  I have 7 pearl necklaces of varying lengths, 6 pairs of earrings, 2 pearl bracelets, a pearl broach and even a pearl hat pin.

Did I mention that I don't really like pearls?  Yet, I would do anything to say thank you one more time for the pearls, the gear and even the Ove Glove.

What were your favorite gifts from your husband?

Working on it

Lane and I never really understood the concept of working on a marriage.  For us, being married was easy.  Of course, we had our ups and downs but frankly making our marriage work didn't take much effort.

On the other hand being a widow takes a lot of effort.  I really have to work on it.  Being totally responsible for everything can be overwhelming at times.  I am  good about doing what needs to be done.  I maintain the car, the house and even myself pretty well.

Socially, however, is another story.  I don't work on that aspect of my life at all.  I am quick to turn down an invitation.  I rather stay home than be a widow surrounded by couples.   I should be working on getting out more, meeting new people and revitalizing old friendships.  But all of that takes real effort.

How are you working on being social on your own?