Don’t Call Me a Widow – Part 59

A Suggestion Was Made and I am Listening

A dear new friend made a suggestion today — and I listened. Since she mentioned it during our informal get‑together, my mind has been racing in the best way, and I’m ready to explore it.

I’m considering offering a monthly dialogue through Don’t Call Me a Widow, each episode focusing on a specific topic we face after losing a spouse or significant other. I’d love your input on subjects to cover, and I’m also open to having guests join me as co‑hosts for these conversations.

During today’s meetup, we shared our experiences of loss and the complicated path of life after death. Each of us carries a different story, yet we’re traveling a similar road — one filled with potholes we must learn to navigate if we want to keep moving forward. We agreed that sharing our journeys helps us grow into who we are meant to be now. We are not who we once were; life evolves, and so do we.

One episode will focus on the emotional rollercoaster — or earthquake — that grief brings: (this may be multiple episodes)

• Grief feels like the punch in the gut when the rollercoaster drops.
• Shock hits when the title widow/widower becomes ours and the ground shifts beneath us.
• Loneliness arrives when the daily touch and familiar words go silent.
• Guilt, relief, anger, numbness — all real, all valid.
• And then there are the reactions from others: awkwardness, avoidance, uncertainty.

Talking openly about these experiences helps normalize loss. It’s the first step toward tomorrow.

We also need space to discuss rebuilding:

• Daily life: sleep, nutrition, self‑care, independence
• New routines: learning to ask for help when needed
• Decision-making: seeking guidance and giving ourselves grace for mistakes
• Mindfulness: carrying the energy of our loved one forward

And then there’s the avalanche of logistics:

• Understanding accounts — and knowing that if an account isn’t in your name, you have no liability
• Learning to make financial decisions with reliable support
• Navigating benefits, insurance, Social Security, annuities
• Deciding when to purge belongings

And of course, brain fog — the part no one warns you about:

• Concentration issues
• Intrusive thoughts and sudden waves of grief
• Trauma’s impact on memory and decision-making
• Finding a support system that understands your unique grief

This is the kind of honest, compassionate dialogue I want to bring forward each month. If you have topics you’d like covered or if you’d like to join me as a guest, I welcome your voice.

Thank you Donna –

Please join me on my journey.

#YesICan Coaching with Karen
Email: Kh.yesican1@gmail.com