Maryo

Hi Teny,

It is so nice to see your post.I hope this year will bring you peace and comfort with many happy memories.

Take care.

Mary Lou

Bren,

I also want to welcome you to this group.I logon everyday and find it a great comfort to know there is always someone there.This is a great group that understands grief and shares their experiences and feeling.

Take care.

Mary Lou

Hi Marsha,

I am also at the 18th month on the 21st. I thought life would get so much better and easier and some days I do feel the load is alot lighter but than I go back to that empty feeling.I don't have any quick fix for us but when I go to bed at night I am thankful the day is over and pray that tomorrow will be a good day.

When I look back to the first few months of grieving I am happy that I have come as far as I have.

Take care.

Mary Lou

Rochel,

Have a safe trip home.

Take care.

Mary Lou

Hi Everyone,

Mary Linda, it is nice to see your name posting. I do agree that Boo has been very helpful and also yourself.Many other people on this posting have helped me by sharing their thoughts and experiences.

I feel a a weight has been lifted of my shoulders because the holidays have come and gone and I survived the second time around.

It is a nice feeling to know someone is always on this site.

Kay,

I hope 2010 will be good to you.

Take care.

Mary Lou

Hi Everyone,

I don't think you can fully understand what a death of a loved one means until you have experienced it first hand.

For all the insensitive people one day they will realize that their comments or actions were inappropriate.

Thanks Babs for putting a smile on my face.

Mary Lou

Hi Ted,

I think a bit of honesty is all most people can handle who have not lost a loved one. When asked how I am I keep it short but let them know you don't get over this kind of grief overnight and if they don't understand I really don't care because I have been true to myself and my loved one.

It has been 18 months next month and I am able to laugh alot but sometimes it is followed with the tears.Laughing is a positive sign, part of the healing process.

Take care.

Mary Lou

Thanks Sharon,

for sharing your friends e-mail with us.I think sometimes we do forget to pat ourselves on the back because we have gone through so much and we are getting stronger day by day.I think our loved ones would be very proud of us.

Take care.

Mary Lou

Susie,

Thank you for sharing your Thank You letter with us.

May you find peace and comfort knowing what a special person your husband was.

Take care.

Mary Lou

Kath,

I can feel your courage and strength in your post.The grieving process is quite a learning experience and I hope that I will come to understand what I need to do next?

Marty,

Your book suggestions are always appreciated.

Take care.

Mary Lou

Thank you Walt.

I wish you peace and comfort for 2010.

Mary Lou

Marsha,

In many of my grief books they suggest that the 12th to 18th month can be very difficult.Jan.21st will be 18 months for me. Sometimes I feel I am going backwards but I am thankful that this period is not as intense or long and is is taking us forward and I believe that the worst is behind us and we might start to look towards the future and not with the dreaded feeling we once had.

Take care.

Mary Lou

Thanks Babs,

for the lovely toast. I wish for peace and comfort and for less tears and more smiles.

Happy New Year to all.

Mary Lou

Hi John,

I am so glad you have the support of your family and friends. This will help on this long journey.I know New Years will be difficult and I hope that sharing your happy memories of your wife will help you through the evening and into 2010.

Take care.

Mary Lou

Hi Everyone,

I had a good cry this morning.I ordered Chinese food because that is what my husband and I did every year.It wasn't the same.Sometimes you can't go back only with your memories.I wanted to keep it quiet tonight but I hope I am able to go visiting tomorrow. I still have to take one day at a time after almost 18 months.I still hurt but not as bad as the first year.

It is very comforting to see all the names posting today and into the night.

I will say a special prayer that 2010 will be more peaceful and our grieving will be less and less as the days go on.

Take care everyone.

Mary Lou

Susie,

I hope your memories of 33 years will bring you comfort and put a smile on your face.2010 will be the year that I must make some "life plans". It will be 18 months in January.

I hope you enjoy your dinner and the show.

Take care.

Mary Lou

Thanks Sharon,

New Years will be hard. This is my second New Year without my husband.I pray that 2010 will bring some comfort to all of us and we have more peaceful days to look forward to.

Mary Lou

Jude,

Sounds like you had a lovely time with your family and friends. Christmas is so special when you have a little one to share it with. New Years is almost here and I will say a prayer that 2010 will be a better year for everyone.

Take care.

Mary Lou

Hi Everyone,

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

I have no doubt that this holiday will be difficult, but all my memories and yours will get us through this season.

Marty,

Thank you for giving us a safe place, where we can meet new friends and find comfort and understanding.

Mary Lou

Korina,

I hope you find peace and comfort over the holidays.

Keep our fingers crossed for a better year in 2010.

Take care.

Mary Lou

Hi Everyone,

I want to share something positive with everyone. It has been 17 months since my husband died on the 21st. I thought I was getting better then the crying and depression set in again.This week the cloud has lifted again and I am looking forward to the holidays once again. I am enjoying buying presents and can't wait to spend time with my family.

I know my grieving is not over but I am getting better.Now I am becoming my best friend.

Who knew. I thank God and my Husband when I have good days and ask them for many more.

Kath,

Your posting is very powerful and I love the part about having another chance tomorrow.Those words will give me and others hope for the future.

Mary Lou

John,

I am so sorry about the loss of your wife Krystal.This site is a good place for all who have lost a loved one.

My husband have been gone 17 months.The pain will ease up. You have to take it one day at a time because this journey can't be rushed as everyone will tell you.

Mary Lou

Hi Ted,

I want to wish you a Happy Birthday.I hope you are able to find comfort and peace today.

Take care.

Mary Lou

I am sorry about the loss of your wife.

I will say a prayer for you that you will find some peace and comfort over the holidays.I log on to this site many times a day and it brings me such comfort.

Take care.

Mary Lou

Hi Laurie,

I think the hardest part besides missing my husband terribly is the lonliness. My daughter is 25 and soon it will be time for her to go out on her own and I am dreading that day.I do understand.

Taking a early retirement took a big chunk out of my social life.Everyone lives so far away. I had to force myself to join a yoga club. It was my time. I am not ready to go back out into the work force yet.My self esteem needs some work.

Marsha,

Your words about finding out who we are again rang so true for me.I was married for 25 years and I am my own chief now and I am finding it very hard on my second year.I hope after Christmas my emotions will settle down because I am not a lot of fun to be around.I also lost my husband in July 2008.

Lots of prayers for everyone to get us through this holiday.

Mary Lou