Lynne.
Like you I have had a good cry but our husbands died so close to each other.
Tomorrow is another day and at least Christmas will be coming to an end
Xx
Sandra
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Hi Guys
we were planning our retirement but no point now I will just carry on working. I try and keep myself busy, joined a choir, go running, it deflects the pain for a while. I now drink far too much when I go out, that helps for an evening.
Love and hugs to us all
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The same for me @Galaxy75, I thought it better to be alone today and treat it like another day. How wrong, I was, it’s been awful and I have been like Alice in Wonderland and nearly drowned in my tears.
Thank goodness I am out tomorrow.
Best wishes to you xx
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Oh Rosemary. It has been a long hard day. Full of tears. At least my dinner from my neighbour was delicious or I suspect I wouldn’t have eaten.
Glad you will be with your brother tomorrow.
Xx
Sandra
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So pleased, Sandra, you had a delicious dinner, I have hardly eaten. It really has been awful and I am sure many of us cannot wait for the day to be over.
I hope you have a good night’s sleep.
Sending hugs xx
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Hi Sandra
Day of tears today for most here.
I am hoping we all get some sleep tonight
Take care
Lynne Xx
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Hi Sandra
I ended up with 3 Christmas dinners from very kind neighbours. It’s a pity I don’t have much of an appetite. Today has been a terrible trial for us, roll on the end of the festive period. Xx
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@ Sarlyn It is very hard to be on your own alone during this holiday time. I remember the first Christmas, I was like a zombie walking home with some supermarket food, and feeling there was absolutely no one to call or talk to. And yet, there was a friend living close by, who did not invite me to her Christmas dinner. I just went by her place and dropped off her gift in front of her door and left, without knocking on the door.
So basically, I had three weeks of not talking to anyone (was also during pandemic) until one day I had to call the crisis line to chat about nothing… small talks that I normally hated… so I decided to talk about politics and societal issues.
By God’s grace, on that first New Year’s Eve, I was able to talk with a newly acquainted friend for hours, trying hard to laugh at some jokes, to ease the deep pain somewhat.
Being widowed now, means we are afterthoughts, if they even remember us… especially for those who have no children.
I understand your pain and disappointment with people … It could make it very hard for us to reconnect with others, for we know what can be the ugly side. … sad.
During the worst moments. I pray and ask for help… to live for another hour, another day…
Many of us are here for you… God bless
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I am spending the whole holiday time alone with my cat … and not even bother to call some of my disengaged old friends. Life has changed completely, and as if they are over there, and I am here… closer to my beloved physically departed best friend husband,
I am sleeping a lot…and watch many NDE videos… to tune in with the Heavenlly realm…sharing my roasted chicken with the cat.
A big hug to everyone here… May God gives us serenity and love…
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@Paddy53. I envy your long marriage, and very sorry for your pain… I believe our beloved partners have just temporarily departed, one day we all will be reunited again in heaven. Here is some of my favourite videos for you:
Emanuel Swedenborg’s vision of the afterlife and marriage.
May God bless your day and lots of hugs…
LolaA
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Hats off to you. You are so strong!
I will now have to start focusing on being alone sufficiently - new life new normal 2024!
Big hugs X
Hi @Angel1309
Woke up crying today
Sudden realisation that after my 1st Christmas without him that now my life has to go on and i must learn to accept my new life without him.
Like you said by strong and positive 
Lynne Xx
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Hi Lynne
Cry if you need to as I’ve read it somewhere that tears help ease the pain. I have been crying on the inside in the past couple of days. Being with friends so have to keep the mask on all the time. Sitting down and relaxing with them but feeling so empty, sad and lonely inside, reminiscing about being with him during this time last year and the years before 
I’m glad we’ve got through our first Christmas without our beloved, we should be proud of ourselves we’ve come this far and still survived.
2024, the new reality of life alone is facing us, and like you, I am anxious about facing it and for we don’t know how long!
Together, we are strong and positive.
Sending love and strength to everyone X
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@Angel1309
Thank you .
Next year will be hard but i believe 
we will get through the times and trials ahead.
Life is short. No one knows how long we have left so best not waste time
I will look at a bucket list now do thinks i have always wanted to do helicopter ride, visit Uk towns , visit Paris go to Ireland be kind volunteering. Look at setting up club for other widowers to learn DIY skills as i have found since losing my husband i have had to pay people to do jobs he would have done. I am 66 do maybe fixing the flat roof on the garage i should get someone else to deal with.
Facing the days ahead without him will be hard but knowing he is with me in spirit will be enough for me to do more in the days ahead.
Staying strong for 2024
Lynne Xx
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Hi Lynne
Not at all, we are all here to support one another as long as we can.
I couldn’t agree more with everything you said!
Your bucket list is full of brilliant ideas so much to look forward to ticking them off one by one - what a way to conquer sadness and loneliness!
DIY projects are on top of my list too and the first thing I bought was a tool box!
Soon we will be DIY experts fingers crossed 
Love & hugs
Xx
To whoever is responsible for the making of this video.( Not directed at you, Lola!)
Couldn’t listen to this because of the dreadful background ‘music’. Why, oh why, does everyone think it’s necessary to put music behind every video etc? It is so annoying and people with hearing problems can find it almost impossible to make out what is being said. My hearing is excellent but I still had trouble.
Please use some common sense.
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Well as I have said in another post . There is nothing I can add to what you have said . Only all the very best in what you do X
No it’s not a nice feeling being ghosted as it’s known . I have so called friends" that live hundred a yards from me . Known them since my daughter was three she is now coming up to forty and I have seen them twice in two years . My wife and I were even good parents to there daughter All the the best to all x
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Hi @ Jeff007
Thanks regarding friends and family.
Being ignored or left to get on with it generally.
I have 2 daughters 1 in Australia 1 in Scotland only 1hrs drive (I dont drive but she does) only see her once in 7 months and had a text ever month. She generally does not understand she is 46 so no youngster but told me she has her own life to be getting on with. Just think they are too wrapped up i their lives to help.
My other daughter in Australia phones weekly for chat.
Friends seem to just disappear and maybe a couple phone but its just not the same. Its almost like you’ ve disappeared too.
Time to make new friends i guess next year will join some other groups.
Lynne
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I agree with all you’ve said, I got through yesterday somehow but it’s the thought that Christmas will always be hard and facing 2024 seems like another huge challenge to overcome.
My towel rail fell apart this morning and I had a vague recollection of it happening before and hubby fixing it, so I managed to find the right screwdriver and took it off, fixed it and put it back together. I was so pleased with myself I burst into tears and cried for about 20 minutes 
Feel a bit better now though 
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