a widows pursuit

I have to share how awesome my friends were to me in my deepest times of grief. I know now, that it’s not fun to walk through grief with someone. So when somebody walks through the shadow of grief with you, they are some special people!!!  This is Trish. (above) She actually gave me the idea to write the book and encouraged me the whole way through. She made sure that I never gave up. She was actually my friend that took me out to dinner on my first birthday as a widow. (Not even one month into my grief.) Talk about a birthday celebration. NOT! But I was still in shock and in the numb stage so I wasn’t too depressing to be around yet!

Now meet my friend, Carol! She always had a scripture to share to keep my faith on track. She took my children in and made sure they were fed and had their homework done everynight. Carol would listen to me as I talked for hours about Nelson. We both believed in eternal life, and this softened the pain of reality. I’d go through the motions, but felt like I was living in a foreign world.  It didn’t hurt when we’d go to Carol’s timeshare at Daytona beach occasionally. We’d talk for hours and many times it was with Carol when I received my signs from God.

Here’s my friend, Angela:-) (Her husband, Sal is behind her and friend, Jim.) Such wonderful friends and super next door neighbors!!! I could always count on Angela. Sometimes it was having a cup of coffee and talking while other times she’d come to my rescue when I desperately needed her. She’d talk me through how it was ok that I was feeling the way I was. My kids lived at her home as well. She and Sal had an open door policy. Their “casa” was our “casa”. I know I took advantage for awhile, but they loved us unconditionally!!!

Now here’s Dinah! (In Pink) Her husband, Arturo, their 2 daughters, Christina and Larissa, and my daughter, Jessica (standing on the other side of Dinah). I’ve known Dinah since 4th grade!!! Dinah was my partner in crime as we went through our teenage years together! She could always make me laugh and still does. The memories we share together are priceless. I couldn’t imagine life without Dinah. Despite her humor that keeps me laughing, she has loved our familly like her own. This is what I call FAMILY!!

Partially because of these friends, I am who I am today. Because they provided me love, encouragement, and support throughout my grief journey, I am now able to help others through their grief. God is a good God! He provided me awesome friends!!!!! Read more about them in my book!