I just passed into another stage of widowhood. I’m no longer a NEW widow. Bob has been gone just over a year now. I will no longer be experiencing birthdays, holidays, and special occasions for the FIRST time without Bob.
It’s now the second Thanksgiving season without him and the hurt has lessened a bit. Is the hurt less or am I coping with it better? Is the pain going away or am I becoming immune to the sting? Is the sorrow lessening or am I a stronger person now? I have no idea. I just know that I can smile more, feel more pleasure, and face these milestones without caving in completely. The percentage of happy moments to sad moments is shifting. Happiness and joy are winning!
I receive emails daily from Grief Share Support Group. Some are meaningful, some aren’t. Some just speak straight to my heart. Here’s the zinger that I pulled from a recent email.
“That is why you must train yourself in biblical hope where you are absolutely convinced that God is and that He has a world to come for you and that on the other side everything will be okay. That certainty has to be bigger than the certainty of your sorrows.“
One of the consistent testimonies in Scripture is that faith can grow strong during the darkest times of adversity. It is during those darkest moments that I have come to know personally that my Lord is the God of hope.
What does this mean to me? My sorrows are certain. They aren’t totally going away anytime soon. Or ever. I miss my husband and the life we had together so very much. I miss sharing my life with him. I miss his touch and kiss (sorry grandkids if that’s gross!). I miss the things that we never got to do that I had thought we would. I miss reminiscing about our trips and adventures together. I miss his silly stories and jokes. Yes, my sorrows are certain.
But on the flip side, my God tells me that on the other side everything will be ok. I cling to that certainty as it is a bigger certainty than my sorrow.
How reassuring. No wonder I can smile.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).
Bob with one "o" 
Thank you for sharing you grief and your strength Susan. Most of us, whether its the husband or the wife, will experience what you’re going through now. Sharing your process touches me and I’m sure many others.
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Thank you for your recent post, Susan. I lost my husband on November 3rd and the grief is very fresh, and the sadness, and all the rest. Thank you for the scripture at the end. It is so helpful!
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Very uplifting and inspiring. Just what I needed right now. hugs for sharing xxoo
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Thanks for sharing. I’m still a brand new widow and I look forward to when it hurts less…
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Oh, it will take time so don’t feel like it has to be on a particular schedule. I’m really feeling great today, but I have idea what tomorrow will be like. Be ready for a rollercoaster! God bless you!
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As always, your words are so meaningful, especially now for me, I went back and read many of your post looking for answers for myself
I have so many anger issues that I’m dealing with and working on.
Blessings
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You are in my thoughts and prayers each day. So saddened by your loss.
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