I have often wondered who coined the word widow. Personally, the word brings to mind the image of a menacing, repulsive creature. I inwardly cringe each time I’m required to classify myself as married, single, divorced or widowed.
Isaiah 54 refers to widowhood as a reproach, but he also extends hope that at some point in our grief journey we will forget the shame of our widowhood . . . if we choose to. I don’t know about you, but I have embraced this Scripture tightly.
My husband died seven years ago, January 30. I not only deal with feelings of loneliness, but I find myself bombarded with shame for not having “moved on.” I encourage each of you not to fall into this trap of feeling pressured to fit a timeline. Remember each grief experience is as unique as the individual. Take your time, and know that one day you will come out on the other side of this pain and you will lay aside the shame of your widowhood!
Hi Scarlett,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great beginning! I'd like to encourage you to post a picture of your book, and include a category about the book. It would increase sales and draw more readers in.
What a poignant story... I admire your strength!
ReplyDeleteYour well written blog brought back memories for me of years gone by.
ReplyDeleteMy 1st husband died 23 years ago, and I remarried 13 years later. I think about my 1st husband often, and the pain has subsided. Now, it is occasionally saddness when family happenings are going on, and he is not there to enjoy them.
I never had a problem with the word "widow". When I went to church after he died, I sat in the back pews with the older ladies, who were widows. When I went to out of town family functions, I sat with the older family ladies who were widows. I liked hanging out with the older gals. They helped me with my grief by sharing their own grief, and their constant encouragement that "everything will be OK" and how "it will take time to heal."
And for me, it did.