Loss of your spouse

“The death of a spouse or partner is different that other losses, in the sense that it literally changes every single thing in your world going forward

When your spouse dies, the way you eat changes

The way you watch TV changes

Your friend circle changes (or disappears entirely)

Your family dynamic/life changes (or disappears entirely)

You financial status changes

Your job situation changes

It effects your self-worth

Your self-esteem

Your confidence

Your rhythms

The way you breathe

Your mentality

Your brain functions (Ever heard the term ‘window brain?’ If you don’t know what that is, count yourself very lucky)

Your physical body

Your hobbies and interests

Your sense of security

Your sense of humor

Your sense of womanhood or manhood 

EVERY.

SINGLE.

THING.

CHANGES.

You are handed a new life that you never asked for and that you don’t particularly want. It is the hardest, most gut-wrenching, horrific, life-altering of things to live with.”

This article was re-posted on Facebook this past Sunday by a brother, shipmate, and friend for over five decades who lost his loving wife.

He is one of few friends that are grieving their loss – each are in our daily thoughts and prayers, as we ask God to help each of them the strength to get through this very difficult time. God bless each of you.

Mend a Broken Heart

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By Diane Forrest,

“And how can you mend a broken heart?

How can you stop the rain from falling down?

Tell me how can you stop the sun from shining

What makes the world go round?”

This verse is from a 1971 song by the Bee Gees asking the question how can you mend a broken heart?  It is a good probability that anyone who has been in love has had a broken heart, and even broken a heart or two.  There are plenty of clichés' out there such as "If you fall off the horse, just get right back on", and "There is plenty more fish in the sea", and “it is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all", but these offer little comfort when you are the one with the heartbreak.

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There are many things that can cause heartbreak.  The break up of a relationship, a divorce, a death, estrangement with a family member, even the loss of a pet.  When my husband's beloved dash hound had to be put down it broke his heart, he cried for a week, and that broke my heart, watching him grieve.  It was easier to replace a lost pet, even though he missed his dog, the new puppy helped to ease the pain.  It is not as easy to replace a lost relationship.

Belief.net offers 12 ways to mend a broken heart.  They include:

• Go through it, not around it.
• Stand on your own.
• Detach.
• List your strengths.
• Allow some fantasizing.
• Help someone else.
• Laugh. And cry.
• Make a good and bad list.
• Work it out.
• Create a new world.
• Find hope.
• Love deeply. Again and again.

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Mending a broken heart takes time, don't expect an overnight recovery, there is a grief process to go through, and each person goes through each stage at their own pace.  The important thing to remember is that in time, you will recover.  Today is Mend a broken heart day.  If you are trying to recover from a break up, or know someone who is, check out this site for more information about healing.

http://www.mendyourbrokenheart.com/   Remember, you are not alone.