• Ch.241 More Losses Coming
    Ch.241 More Losses Coming March 2024           My grieving for Pat has shown me I can survive a great heartache. After facing Pat’s demise and death, I figured Read more
  • Ch.240 Grief is Like Three Trees
    Ch.240 Grief is Like Three Trees Feb. 2024 Recently I’ve been struck by the way people talk about the grief process. I’ve been thinking about how these phrases might apply to a Read more
  • Ch.239 Two Surprise Visits from Pat
    Ch.239 Two Surprise Visits from Pat Feb.2024            First Visit. Last night I had a dream that involved Pat. Unpleasant. Pat and a shadowy figure drove me to a Read more
  • Ch.239. Pat’s Lewy Body Brain
    Ch.239. Pat’s Lewy Body Brain Feb.2024  I have been watching a series of lectures on the relationship between science and religion with a wonderful couple named Lou and Ann. They are scientists Read more
  • Ch.238 Ron, the Lions Club Member
    Ch.238 Ron, the Lions Club Member Feb. 2024           I was at my Lions Club meeting last night where Bill, a long-time member of the club, suggested we Read more
  • Ch.237 Night Out with the Guys
    Ch.237 Night Out with the Guys Jan. 2024           Like many widowers, I hesitate to go many places alone where most people go as couples: restaurants, theaters, vacation Read more
  • Ch.222 Wailing on the Day Pat Died
    Ch.222 Wailing on the Day Pat DiedOct.2023The new six-week grief group that I am co-facilitating met for the first time on Tuesday. Halfway through the group, Wendy, my fellow facilitator, Read more
  • Ch.235 Pre-Arranging My Funeral
    Ch.235 Pre-Arranging My Funeral Jan. 2024           There are some things one should not attempt to discuss via texting. I found that out when I texted a message to my Read more
  • Ch.234 Thirteen Pounds of Salt
    Ch.234 Thirteen Pounds of Salt Jan.2024           This morning I was cleaning out the closet in our computer room, yet another place where Pat had placed mysterious objects, Read more
  • Ch.233 Eighteen Months A Widower
    Ch.233 Eighteen Months A Widower Jan.1, 2024           I didn’t anticipate that this anniversary would hit so painfully. I expected 2’s and 3’s on the emotional pain scale, Read more
  • Ch.232 Second Christmas Without Pat
    Ch.232 Second Christmas Without Pat Dec. 2023           I just re-read my blog from Dec.26, 2022, exactly one year ago today. Very positive. Optimistic. Full of caring people. Read more
  • Ch.231 Loneliness Panic Attack
    Ch.231 Loneliness Panic Attack Dec.2023           It’s 9 a.m. on the Friday before Christmas. I’ve taken my morning walk with Levi. Eaten toast and yogurt with a cup Read more
  • Ch.230 Pat Guides Me Through the Desert
    Ch.230 Pat Guides Me Through the Desert Dec 2023           Last night I participated in my monthly “Brothers and Wives” Zoom session. We had a good time together, Read more
  • Ch.229 My Twin Brother and My New Life
    Ch.229 My Twin Brother and My New Life Dec.2023           My twin brother Don was coming for a visit, his first here since shortly after Pat died. Eight Read more
  • Ch.228 I Can See Pat Better Now
    Ch.228 I Can See Pat Better Now Dec.2023           C.S. Lewis, in A Grief Observed, writes something that caught me completely by surprise: “…passionate grief does not link us with Read more
  • Ch.227 I’m Grateful for All Those Who Care About Me
    Ch.227 I’m Grateful for All Those Who Care About Me  Nov.2023           I’ve had three interactions this week that helped me feel connected and cared about by many Read more
  • Ch.226 Ron the Extrovert
    Ch.226 Ron the Extrovert Nov.2023           Last night I attended a “Gala” at Azura Memory Care, in celebration of their record-setting pace in collecting donations for the annual Read more
  • Ch.225 Pat and Judy’s Radiant Smiles
    Ch.225 Pat and Judy’s Radiant Smiles Nov. 2023           Most Wednesdays at noon I eat lunch with my friends Richard and Jerry. Jerry, like me, is a widower; Read more
  • Ch.224 Walking at Daybreak
    Ch.224 Walking at Daybreak Nov.2023 7:15 a.m. 27 degrees Fahrenheit. Just a hint of light in the sky. Time for a walk.           Blackie, my cat, has been awake a Read more
  • Ch.223 My Grieving Brain
    Ch.223 My Grieving Brain           Oct.2023           About eight months ago I made an appointment with a neurologist at Mayo Clinic in Eau Claire, Read more