For Widow's Only!

Table of Contents 

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Part One: What Happened?
From Reeling to Healing

   Chapter 1: The First Few Days: Functioning in Shock

Our earliest days as widows; advice/cautions; "at leasts" and blessings;
the "bubble of shock"; decisions; planning a service; handling calls, cards and visits

  Chapter 2: The Beginnings of Grief:  A Necessary but Painful Process

Being weaned into aloneness; watching your progress; business matters;
 "compensations" of being alone; your weaknesses and strengths

  Chapter 3: Tasks That Must Be Done:  How to Do Them or Let Others Help

Thank-you notes; disposal of his belongings; taking on "his" tasks
 or hiring help; notifying interested parties

  Chapter 4: Stages of Grief: The Work We Must Do

How grief varies and why; shock; denial; anger; guilt; depression;
 cockiness; anxiety; acceptance; learning from the experience

  Chapter 5: Holidays and Anniversaries:  Marking Them in New Ways

Calendar holidays, birthdays, your wedding anniversary;  the first week,
month, year anniversaries of his death;  when does it get easier?

  Chapter 6: Saying Good-bye:  Not to Forget, but to Move Forward

"Til death us do part;" paranormal happenings; dreams of him; 
therapy of tears; your wedding ring; saying good-bye
 

Part Two:  What Now?
Living in the Present
 

  Chapter 7: Alone But Not Lonely: Trying New Activities

Filling empty hours; Sundays and holidays; helping others;
discovering new talents/skills; doing what you couldn't before; being selfish/unselfish

  Chapter 8: Taking Charge:  Forging Your New Role

Parenting; care of the household; lawn/garden; cars/garage;
finding help; the widow's shopping list; making your home your own

  Chapter 9: Protecting Yourself:  Don't Be Scared, Be Prepared

In your home, in your car, in the city/country;  defending yourself;
 should you move to a safer place?  harnessing worry

  Chapter 10: Dealing With Finances:  Money and Money Problems

What's coming in?  pensions, insurance proceeds, death benefits, savings;
What's going out?  mortgage payment, living expenses, insurance, taxes; meeting needs 

  Chapter 11: Feeling Good and Looking Good:  Which Comes First?

Health concerns; stress relief; exercise, nutrition, sleep;
dumping bad habits; emotional health; seeking help; appearance helps

  Chapter 12: Learning to Laugh and Have Fun:  It's Good For You

Let yourself enjoy life; learning something new; appreciating the glories
around you; taking risks; joining the 21st century on the web

  Chapter 13: Maintaining Relationships: Friends and Family; Yours and His

Old friends, new friends, his friends; the couple syndrome;
extended family, children and grand children; his family, men you've known

  Chapter 14: How Are You Doing? Finding Help If You Need It

Recognizing need for help; self-help, spiritual guidance,
confidantes, professional counseling; widow support groups

Part Three: What Next?
Embarking on Your Future
 

  Chapter 15: How Can You Decide? Gaining Control of Your Life

Simplifying decision-making;  finding a sounding board;
identifying magnitude of problems; letting others decide for you

  Chapter 16: Designing Your New Life: Good Choices Can Help You Heal 

Who your friends will be; what to do; where to live; when to change;
why change; how to make change; status quo is okay

  Chapter 17: Men: "Can't live with them" or "Can't live without them"?

Changing times; dating, romance, love, sex; cautions and concerns;
lifestyle choices; choosing what's right for you; finding the right man
 

Epilogue: 
There is life after grief, even for widows. 

 "From inside a dark cocoon,
  it's hard to believe you'll ever be a butterfly."

                                                                       
Click the butterfly to order the book. It will help you hatch into a lovely butterfly.

-Annie