Yes Lisa – definitely more impact now than before. We will always think of the wives and families. Thank you for commenting.

I am happy to read about your making the house more your home. And I get it’s a hard thing to do…I often look around at my house imagining how it used to look when Mike was alive, and how slowly over the almost three years how much has been changed…his room is now the guest room, and while I haven’t painted it and a few things of his remain it is mostly unrecognizable from the way it stood when he was the occupant. Sometimes me and the dogs go in there and sniff around, I think trying to find some remnant of him…but like you I could not just mothball things and at the end of the day it is a symbol of my work to continue on with the life I have. Mike would have approved I know.

And thank you, Cathy, for coming here and commenting. I will think of you all now too when I sit there and meditate with Myrtle.

What a difficult thing to go through with your Mom. I am happy her prognosis is good…and yes eventually we will all experience the death. Trying to find a peace with it is so hard. Sending love and well wishes to you and your family.

Rebecca, I am glad you got to share such a precious moment. I think often of the lives being born, and how they will influence the world in ways we don’t know yet…this against the pain of the lives we have lost, whose influence we know all too well. Life is a strange thing. Hugs.

I totally get the idea that I have to get to know the person who has survived this loss. I am a new woman, sad, lonely, heartbroken…but also finding my strength I didn’t know I had. I appreciate your posts Alison, because they make me feel your loss and also your own strength. We are a community, we widowed people. I am grateful for you, and all of us.

I think it is, Lisa. I wish you all the best in your career endeavors – and in all that life has to offer, bittersweet as it is. It takes so much effort, but paying attention to the possibilities may give answers and a future and, as you said, growth, we might not have imagined otherwise. Peace to you.

I am so happy to hear about your time together this year, Mike. It just means so much. Permission to have fun together is such a gift. I get it. Love and aloha to you all. (and I have no doubt that Internet or not, Drew and Megan are dancing a happy dance for you on the other side, as I know my Mike is too.)

Happy New Year Mike. I am so glad you took that trip.

Thank you Rebecca.

These shifts are important and monumental, and become clearer upon looking back a little, I find…I feel happy for you Sarah – I remember well your post from a year ago and seeing where you are now warms my heart. Wishing you love and beauty in 2016.

That was very inspiring. Knowing where you’ve come from in your grief, setting such positive goals – and actually going after them – is such a strong and important thing. Thank you for inspiring us all Rebecca. And here’s to growth – and happiness too – in 2016.

Cathy…be here now. Always a good one to think about, thank you. Lisa, hope you have some peace too.

Cathy…I hear you. I had thought I would have so many more years with Mike. I just sucks. And Lisa…we do change, don’t we, it’s just part of it. I’m glad for the community too. Thank you both for commenting.

I’m with you. No one else can die. I have no stomach for it either. Hugs.

Thank you Cathy.

You are lucky to have each other, to get what you are going through, both of you…I have yet to do any holiday decorating, and will not again this year…I share the same feeling that Mike is missing out and it makes me so sad. Doing something special to remember them both is wonderful. I am happy, too, for Shelby, to have a way to remember her mom’s holiday spirit and enjoy the season with you two.

I am glad you put up the tree…that is so frigging hard. We had one kind of like that too, a small fake tree…I still haven’t put it up since Mike died and will not again this year. The lonely moments are the hardest…and it’s a sucky time of year…hugs to you too Kelley. xoxo

Thanks for the hug, Kelley. Glad you had a nice day despite the moments…and Lisa, birthdays are hard too, I get you, and I am grateful for your commenting and support. It means so much.

Thank you Cathy.