Surviving a Bereavement

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One June 8, 2014, the glass shattered, the earth opened, my world crashed!!!  I lost my husband and father of my only child.  

When you lose someone who’s been sick or ailing for a period of time it’s difficult, but losing someone suddenly, someone who was strong, energetic, active, funny, caring, loving, was earth shattering!!!! Your world stops!

I remember thinking, “what happens now? What am I going to do?  How am I going to manage life without him? What about our child, who was just 7 yrs old at the time? It was tough. Talking to the police, explaining what happened, the doctor, paramedics….it was MAD! 

Notifying family was HARD!!! Especially his parents!  His older daughter, brothers, everybody!!!  Bawling!!! Tears!!! Disbelief!!! Shock!!! Speechless!! And the recurring question, “What happened?” Me explaining again and again, reliving the experience over and over.  I also had to call his work and my work to notify them of my situation.  

I was grieving, but had to be conducting business, serious business, at the same time! Dealing with mortgage (we’d just moved into our new home 3 months earlier), dealing with banks, work, registering death, all the formalities that came with this unwanted experience.  All the while, trying to provide some kind of normalcy for our child. 

Life had changed for us in the blink of an eye. A new normal had been established…..I now had to do everything by myself. Make decisions about my finances, the home, our child, everything! But by God’s help, grace and mercy, with the support of my AMAZING family and friends (who are my family), I’ve done 10 years without him, as widow, as a single mom, as a single lady!  

Author: Donna J

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