Bereavement
Related: About this forumToday marks one month since she died
Sometimes it seems like much longer, sometimes like it was just a few days ago. I'm still kinda reeling from all of this. I handle it pretty good most of the time, but still find myself lamenting daily. I guess that's normal. Everything in the house reminds me of her, so it's not like there's anything in particular that sets me off. I donated a lot of her stuff to a local charity a few days ago and I know that's what she would have wanted. I have a mountain of medical bills to start going through. I have been just letting them stack up until I can figure all this insurance crapola out. I have the resources to pay everything, but I want to make sure my insurance company does their part.
It still seems she's coming home anyday now, but I know she's not. I've been to a couple of parties since her death and felt like a fifth wheel without a partner. Guess I better get used to that, or just avoid the parties. The fridge, once always full of last nights leftovers, is now pretty bare, and the cabinets are thinning out, too. I don't cook that much, and a lot of the stuff in the pantry will never get used, so I guess I will donate that stuff to a shelter.
What now? I'm 57, retired and single. First time in 36 yrs. Carol and I talked about what we would do if the other one died, and we both said we would move out of this huge house. She was going to move in with her best friend if I had died. I said I would get an apartment or something with no maintenance. But, I'll need a couple of years to get this house ready to sell and dispose of a lot of stuff. I have even thought about bulldozing it and building a new house. That would be expensive, but I like it here, I just don't need 4000 sq ft of house. Might look at getting something small on the waterfront (I live at a lake).
It's hard to make any plans with so much left to do, so I just keep busy doing what needs to be done. I don't like the lonliness at all, and I can see why a lot of people get involved with someone new fairly soon after the death of a spouse. But, I have also read enough about it to know that might not be a wise thing to do. We are so vulnerable at this point, and I am not emotionally available for any relationships right now. Been spending a lot of time on grief forums to see what others do to ease the pain. I don't do hobbies as there never seemed to be enough time for them. Now I have the time, but not the desire.
Oh well, thanks for reading my ramblings. Woke up at 2:30 am this morning and couldn't sleep, so......
livetohike
(22,969 posts)When my Dad passed away, I asked my Uncle (who passed away one year later), what could I do to help my Mom? My Uncle was a bishop in the Lutheran church.
He said: "Everyone grieves in their own way and does things in their own time....not to push my Mom to do this or that, she would find her way."
Uben, I know you will take care of that which needs done and you will find your own way, in your own time as you go on without your wife.
Paper Roses
(7,506 posts)It has been over 3 years since I lost my husband and I am just getting to the point that I can think of the future. My house is not as large as yours but I find I rattle around here.
I think I would like to find a small place where I could plunk myself. I do not want to go into a condo or one of the 'elder' housing units. I need to be able to plant my flowers and veggies for as long as I can.
The loss of a spouse is so hard to cope with. The presence you have felt for years is gone,
Cooking? Forget about good meals, I just eat whatever presents itself. My bet is that you will do the same.
It gets no better but I am beginning to think that I am more able to think clearly now.
My heart goes out to you. Everyone in this group has had a great loss. We cope as best we can.
I hope you are able to do the same.
auntAgonist
(17,257 posts)It's no wonder that you find yourself with time and no desire to do things.
You were there every step of the way. It's going to take time to get used to this. Of that I'm sure.
Things will fall into place when you are ready for them to do so. In the mean time just take care of you!!
Thinking of you ... Wishing you the best.
aA
kesha
CountAllVotes
(21,068 posts)Lots of losses here too. I still have my mother's purse for some reason. There is nothing in it much. For some reason I cannot seem to find a way to let it and some other things of her's go.
Same goes for Dad. I have all of his Marine Corps. stuff from WWII; maps, uniform, etc.
Dad has been gone for almost 15 years now; Mother 10.
I guess the grief never goes away, it just becomes a bit less with time.
I hope you are feeling better soon.
We are Devo
(193 posts)Just over a year since I lost my mom and sister. Just starting to get my balance. Be gentle with yourself and take all the time you need.
peace
GreenPartyVoter
(73,036 posts)aren't pressed for time to work on the house clearing, then maybe you can give yourself a while before you do it? We cleaned out my parents' house last summer. So many years of things to go through! And it was very hard for me to make decisions on what to keep and what to send away. But we were in a hurry because we needed to sell the place, so I did the best I could making decisions. (Now that I have moved into my own new home, I am finding I kept way more than I really wanted, and am now clearing out more things on this end of the moving process.)
May I just say I think you are right not to jump into a new relationship too soon? I always felt my dad did. He was still grieving for my mom, and I don't think he knew the new lady well enough, and in the end it was not good for him at all and just caused him more pain.
I am sorry for your loneliness and sadness. Thank heavens for DU. There's always a friend just a mouse click away.