I lost my dear husband of 47 years in November 2017. We built our home in the 70’s and cherished the time we had TOGETHER living here. We loved our life TOGETHER, shared everything TOGETHER… Now its just me, and the house doesn’t feel like home any longer, and yet, I don’t feel I belong anywhere else!
I’m able to “cope” when I am with family and friends, but when I’m alone, I fall apart. Will this empty feeling ever go away?
I’m really trying to keep myself busy, I fill every day with going somewhere, doing something, but it still comes back to being alone.
Hello I am 21 and we lost my dad last month, he was only 50.
My mum also says she doesn’t feel like home any more and nothings seems right.
I know I’m not experiencing the same feelings as you and I am unsure what I can say to help.
Just know I’m thinking of you and please stay strong and try as much as you can to spend time with your family and loved ones, I know it’s hard to cope with but it will help you having people near.
Oh yes, After You. I know exactly how you feel. I lost my husband in January after 40 years together and I no longer call where I live ‘home’ but refer to it as ‘the house’. Home is where the heart is and the heart has been ripped out of this place. People have suggested I think about redecorating or moving furniture around to make it more ‘my space’ but it won’t change the fact that my wonderful husband is no longer here and the warmth and love and laughter of our ‘home’ has gone forever.
I also hate coming back to an empty house. I spent yesterday with our closest friends and their house felt like a proper home because they are there together but when I came back, the emptiness and quietness of my house was unbearable. I have no answers but wanted you to know you are not alone in how you are feeling.
Dear Natalie,
It has touched me that you have taken the time to reply to me, especially as you are going through grief yourself.
Thank you, I really appreciate your words, and for someone so young, you are inspiring………
Love to you and your mother, and best wishes from Elaine x
Thank you Ann for taking the time to reply to me.
Yesterday was an awful day for me and I had to reach out to others in the same situation. It helps me so much to know someone is listening to me….
Its so lovely to be invited to other peoples houses, especially close friends and family, but as you say, their homes seem so “normal”, so happy and its when you return back to your house it seems to really hit you how lonely it all is.
I will keep plodding on, little steps, and hope that some day everything will feel a bit easier, its early days and I think I have been charging around, here, there & everywhere, just to keep busy and worn myself out.
Today I have a day in the house, just catching up on things and giving myself a little space. Tomorrow, I’ll be off again trying to fill my time…………
Love to you Ann and I hope that you are feeling okay.
The house when your partner dies is just so lonely. It has a different feel about it. It doesn’t sound the same or smell the same. That person you want to be there is not and the emptiness is so unbearable some days
In a strange way, to know that others understand exactly what I am experiencing is very supportive.
The sounds and smells are different too, you’re right.
Thanks again
Take care and very best wishes Elaine
.To After You and everyone : my feelings about our lovely home have gone from it being my refuge to the place I want/need to escape from. Sharing my life with Peter, married for almost 48 years I have felt so secure and happy. The sudden trauma of losing him has left me anxious, lonely and lost. It has been 19 months now, during this long cold winter I have decided I need to move home. My children (both have their own families) agree, friends too. I totally agree this house feels, smells and is so different now. It is all so scary though! All decisions were made TOGETHER now its just me! I hope you all find the strength to go forward, I’m sure that’s what our loved one would have wanted. Keep busy and yes plod on. Best wishes to everyonexxxxxxBillie
It must be scary to decide to move house. As you say, you have to make the decisions by yourself, although it sounds as though your family and friends are helping you and will give good advice.
I am sure you will make the right decisions when the time comes, good luck with it all and thanks again, thinking of you ~ Elaine xxxxx
Hi Sheila, Elaine and everyone, I love the wonderful idea of a time machine it would be fantastic and completely agree about memories. I just hope I can carry them all with me when I leave this house as I carry my Peter in my life e very day. The anxiety of caring for this house and garden are too much for me and I want to feel I can manage - its not possible here on my own. Thanks to everyone for sharing thoughts and feelings. xxxxxxxxBest wishes and hugs , Billie
Hello, I lost my husband of 34 yrs just over 2 weeks ago and I feel the same, I thought it was me at first. Nothing feels the same.
I’m sorry to hear you lost your husband in November.
I try to keep busy but as I was his carer for a short while find myself wondering what to do with my time nowadays.
I too am better in company but my family live some distance away and I spend days alone.
Mornings are the worst, the silence and isolation.
Hello Billie, I can relate totally with the anxiety of caring for a house and garden, I feel exactly the same. Its so strange, but lately a few things require maintenance, my husband would have dealt with them immediately, but I’m finding it incredibly difficult to find someone willing to do all these small jobs. I think most tradespeople just want the bigger jobs.
My friends and neighbours have helped me a lot, but I’m the kind of person who likes to “pay my way” and I hate to bother anyone.
I think you are being incredibly realistic and very brave and, as you say, no one can take your memories away.
Take care & best wishes
Elaine x
Hi to you all
My husband and my self bought the house I’m in 13 years ago it was so run down we just finished it in the July and my husband passed away on the 26th of November 2017 when he first died I hated being in the house but now it gives me comfort he did all the work in the house himself with me trying to help there was so much love and laughter in the house as we made it into a home .
We bought it because or kids had all left home and this was going to be our retirement home for us both but sadly that never happened my kids and friends have asked if I will move and just now I couldn’t as I would feel I was losing him all over again .
Everywhere I look in my house or garden I can see or hear him laughing us painting just talking about our life’s together and the life still to come and as much as it breaks my heart being here with out him it also gives me some comfort .
Thinking of you all .
Lily
Hi lonely
As you have put down your life it brought a smile to my face as I would be holding the wood as George cut it and pasting the paper as he put it up painting the walls he also fitted our kitchen and bathroom suite layed carpets and all I can think of through this is the laughing that we both did as it was just the two of us doing it our kids live on the mainland I live in the outer Hebrides there was so so much laughter.
Thinking of you take care .
Lily