Category Archives: new widow

Is the second year harder than the first?

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Marti Benedetti

About a year after Tom died, I felt a bit of relief from grieving. It was my goal to get through that first year, thinking I’d feel better afterward. Well, I felt the weight of the sadness lift and, shortly … Continue reading →

Posted in grief, living alone, new widow, second year of grief, setbacks stir up grief, single middle-age woman, widowhood | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A bitter pill — dealing with sickness alone

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Marti Benedetti

I’ve had health issues most of my life – Type 1 diabetes at nine; ulcerative colitis at 17. These two challenging, genetic autoimmune diseases don’t make for a storybook childhood or an easy adolescence. They didn’t respond well to the … Continue reading →

Posted in being sick alone, grief, living alone, new widow, single middle-age woman, widowhood | 1 Comment

To date (or not to date) — your decision

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Marti Benedetti

Are you are thinking about putting yourself out there after being with the same spouse for two or  three decades? Keep your expectations low, and brace for disappointment. I don’t mean to be too negative here. I know widows who … Continue reading →

Posted in grief, living alone, new widow | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Family House — Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Marti Benedetti

I’m lucky enough to have a great house. It was built in 1929 and is rich in detailed plaster, stained and leaded glass and original woodwork. It is roomy and cozy at the same time. By far, it is the … Continue reading →

Posted in grief, living alone, new widow, single middle-age woman, widowhood | 2 Comments

The Kids Are Alright

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Marti Benedetti

Like the majority of mid-life widows, I have children — a 22-year-old girl and a 28-year-old man. My husband and I put a lot of energy and love into raising those two. He was a great dad who they loved … Continue reading →

Posted in grief, living alone, new widow, single middle-age woman, widowhood | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The nightmare than can be Sunday

Posted on January 12, 2014 by Marti Benedetti

What is it with Sundays — that particular day is worse for a widow than any other. I didn’t like Sundays growing up because I was forced to go to church, and I was often bored with little or nothing … Continue reading →

Posted in grief, living alone, new widow, single middle-age woman, widowhood | Tagged , | 4 Comments