These are times of uncertainty. What will our new normal be like? It’s one thing to have to live through the loss of a loved one…and then grieving losses through a pandemic that isolates us more! My online blogger friend, JoAnne Funch, a Certified Grief Coach, on her website, “Heartache to Healing”, she posted an article:
Collective grief can be so complicated due to multiple losses. Read her article and find ways to create more meaningful moments and a new perspective in life.
We never really know what lies ahead in our life’s journey. Just as we think we have things figured out and what direction we’re headed, life throws us a curve ball!
My online blogger friend, JoAnne Funch, gives a great analogy for helping us through the grief process in her Heartache to Healing website. Sometimes we have to be open to change and allow our inner compass to guide us through. JoAnne shares her blog: Life is like a Compass.
“Just as our grief doesn’t follow a predictable course like a map, neither does life. In fact, it’s more like a compass because it points you in the general direction and then you figure out where to turn.” -JoAnne Funch
It is possible! Listen to this YouTube with Esther Gold and then maybe consider a 2020 cruise next year for a new beginning. What better way to start a new year, by sharing your grief with others who understand while enjoying some travel time!
Sheryl Sandberg (COO of Facebook) perseveres through grief when her husband, Dave Goldberg, suddenly dies in 2015. Listen to Clay Scroggins (Lead Pastor at North Point Community Church- one of Americas largest churches) interview Sheryl as she talks about her grief journey.
In the 3rd part of the series, Fight For It, Clay explains how the struggle is real and Sheryl shares her struggles in her widowhood. It is summed up…. “In our greatest adversities, we receive the gift of being comforted by God, so we may then comfort others.”
I want to share with my followers a very disturbing finding. When I pulled up my book on the Amazon website last month, I found out that 3rd party sellers were selling my $14.99 book for hundreds of dollars! I called Amazon for assistance and was told they could not do much about it. There have been about 20 sellers, selling 3 versions of my book (2012, 2015 & 2017) from $12.13 up to $298.69!!!!
First of all, no one should be purchasing the 2012 or 2015 version of my book. The newest edition is the 2017 that should only be bought through Amazon here. I am very annoyed that these 3rd party sellers are jacking up the price and I’m not even sure the purchaser will even receive my book!
I’ve emailed each of the sellers and asked them to remove my book from their list. Most of them obliged and the rest I’ve had to report to scamsellers. There are still about 4 of them who haven’t been removed, but I am still working on it.
This is a great way to meet other widows who understand the GRIEF that goes with widowhood! Please visit Ferree’s website “Widow’s Christian Place” for more information on the retreat at Sandy Cove Ministry Center in North East, Maryland.
Sandy Cove Ministries is putting on a retreat, stating that this is…..
“A weekend for women of any age who are WIDOWS and at any point in their journey.
People say, “Isn’t it wonderful he’s with the Lord,” and you want to yell, “No! He should be here with me.”
Spend a weekend with other women who have lost their husbands to death. You will be with people who understand your journey. Come share your heart and your hurt and be encouraged as we remind ourselves that, hard as it is, our God is able. Learn from women who are where you are, women who have weathered grief and difficult times.”
If you or someone you know and love is struggling through grief this holiday season, there’s still time to order my book by Christmas! Watch the video here….
As a widow in shock, I initially clung to my faith and was filled with God’s peace. When the shock wore off, reality set in, and I was overwhelmed with unfamiliar feelings. I filled the void and numbed my pain with harmful behaviors. By neglecting my children, a consequence followed, jolting me to wake-up to my responsibilities.
I finally surrendered to God and asked for His forgiveness and help. As my faith grew and God led me through grief, my heart healed, I let go of the past and comfort came back into my life. Once I accepted my loss, I awakened to a new life of being a single mom and contemplated new dreams and goals. Struggles still persisted, but I was diligent to pray for guidance to follow God’s will for my family. With God’s grace, hope came back as I experienced more purpose and joy than I ever thought possible.
This is my memoir of being an irrational, 34 yr. old widow, with young children, and how I learned to pursue my faith to overcome grief. Consequently, I discovered an amazing life after my loss. By sharing my story, I hope to help other widows and those struggling through grief.
My website, “A Widow’s Pursuit”, has been selected for the Top 30 Global Widow Blogs. Please share this with others who are widowed and need to know they are not alone.
These top 30 blogs are from other widows who want to share their grief journeys with others in widowhood to provide them hope.
The Kindle Edition to my book, “A Widow’s Pursuit” is now available on Amazon. Purchase it, if not for yourself, maybe for someone going through grief who needs to know it’s OK to feel crazy for awhile!!!
As a “Thank you”, if you read my book, and feel it’s a good read for others, please write a review on Amazon. Once it appears, let me know and until the end of September, 2018, I will be happy to send you a signed hard copy to share with others!
I was widowed at 34 years of age, with 2 young daughters, 6 and 7 years old. After raising my daughters, and pursuing a second career, I've recently remarried and wrote a book on my grief journey and beyond. My purpose for writing my memoir, "A Widow's Pursuit", is to encourage other young widows, that life goes on as we make new and joyful memories. We all have a different grief journey but we can help and encourage each other to persevere through grief and pursue new dreams!