Year One of Grief

Loneliness is not just a problem for those that have lost loved ones. Recent studies indicate the problem of Loneliness is spreading throughout society. We know now that the lockdowns and isolation during the pandemic did nobody any favors and the damage will likely be felt for many years. For me personally, my Loneliness comes from not having my Pam with me anymore. Days like today the pain feels...

On a recent flight from Washington DC via Columbus, Ohio to Phoenix, Arizona I was seated with a younger woman and a man who was closer to my age. We all came from completely different backgrounds and had some different views on life. However, over the course of a long 4 hour flight these three complete strangers became friends and shared some very deep and personal stories. I hope you will take t...

We all hear the stories about how Social Security is going broke, and for the next generation, it will likely not be there. This may all be true, but at the same time, where did all the money go? Why does Congress not have to answer for borrowing against "our" "my" money? I'll share with you how I learned the hard way about the Social Security ripoff along with some money saving tips on retirement...

That's right, God sent me into a bar where he had arranged a very special meeting for me. This is truly a message of having purpose in helping others.

We often hear people tell stories about hearing from God. Now I've never actually heard the voice of God but do believe God sends messengers. One such messenger appeared be fore me while hiking in a small city park in Phoenix.

We often hear people say they experienced an unexpeted blessing. It could be thru a financial gift, a job promotion or maybe simply tickets to a ball game. But then again I believe blessings can come in the form of unexpcted meetings with people which is the focus of this podcast.

It seems that anyone that has suffered loss always dread special dates. Whether it be an anniversary, mother or father's day, birthday, date of death, date of birth. You name it, were surrounded by dates that can be triggers. However, after I lost Pam I made it my mission to not dread those special dates but instead to make them celebrations. This year I chose a couple of things to help celebr...

The life of a widow can be complicated at times as we learn to navigate life alone. For some, they find comfort living and being around their kids. For others, it friends and other family members. For me, I find a combination of the two is the right balance for me at this stage in life. Of course later on my tune may change. Take a listen and let me hear your thoughts as well. Leave a review too o...

We often talk about grief triggers. Some can be happy and some are sad. Triggers can come from any number of things. Pam and I loved an NBC serires called "Ed". It was basically a comedy about a young lawyer coming back to his home town to run a bowling alley while also practicing law from an office inside the alley. While the show was filled with laughs it also had some very sweet story...

One of the challenges of being widowed is learning how to navigate the single life which is something I've not been part of for over 30 years. We all need a feeling of community and in a couples world that can be difficult. I first thought church would be my best option but I've quickly come to learn that may be the toughest place while there are other options that have proven to be much b...

Life can be hard and even harder when we are going thru the loss of a loved one. Often times it's like climbing a mountain. But, there is hope.

In this episode we talk about the quiet times, should I get a dog, what keeps me busy and why does the weight of being widowed never seem to leave.

It's estimated that 7 out of every 10 adults or 70% of the adult population use some form of social media. Of course there are studies that show the some of the negative effects of social media while at the same time there are some positives. In fact, when it comes to being widowed I've discovered a benefit to social media of the past, present and future.

I recently read a study on widowed people in the United States and was a bit surprised at the findings. With that in mind, I decided to do a little research of my own.

In part 2 of Facing Loneliness I share with you an amzing ending to the orginal story regarding my trip to a spring training game and unable to fine anyone to attend with me. Since high school and for 37 years that followed I always had my sweet Pam with me to do life with. For a time when the kids were home it was three, then four of us doing life together. After the kids left, no empty nest synd...

Since high school and for 37 years that followed I always had my sweet Pam with me to do life with. For a time when the kids were home it was three, then four of us doing life together. After the kids left, no empty nest syndrone. Instead we were like newlyweds and having a blast. Then...God calls her home before we even get a chance to enjoy those so called "Golden Years" together. Now, it's just...

This was recorded while on a hike in the Phoenix Mountain preserve so audio may not be highest quality. However, it's a short and important message. It's been 3+ years since I lost the love of my life. Is it easy? Have I learned how to keep moving forward? I don't have all the answers. However, I do know one thing. I don't want to be a professional widower.

More significant dates on the calendar and for widows and widowers those special dates can be challenging. However, I've got some tips that may help...at least they do for me.

Never in my life had I experienced anxiety until after I lost my sweet wife Pam. For that matter, to my knowledge nobody in our family ever suffered from anxiety. It is absolutely a mystery how it comes on and causes the brain to go round and round in circles while the body seems to have a need to be in constant motion. Thankfully, I'm found some ways to over these attacks of anxiety. However, it...

To some it may sound crazy but to me it makes perfect sense. I still talk to Pam on a daily basis and sometimes it makes me cry. But...let me stress it's not necessarily a bad cry. Believe it or not, there is such a thing as good cry.

Hard to believe but I've past the three year mark since losing my the love of my life, my beautiful wife Pam. Now I lost another love of my life, our adopted grandmother Lola. But Lola left behind a beautiful legacy of survival thru loss.

I often wonder if anyone actually reads the show description or do you simply look at the title to decide if you are going to watch. If just go by the title you may be suprised by what is included in this episode. Do you avoid putting up Christmas decorations because you are overcome with grief? Do you dread the holiday season? Why even try? Believe it or not, I'm going to talk about all of these...

I recenlty met a young man during a round of golf. However, this was no ordinary young man. Not only had he been part of the foster car program for most of his childhood, at the age of 16 and a half he left his last foster family and went out on his own. Kids that end up on their on at such a young age often end up in jail, homeless and on drugs. This young man defied the odds. His story is one th...

#widow #grief #loss  It's another Saturday and you would think after 3 years this would not be a problem. However, grief is complicated and if your like me and loss your husband or wife the weekends were always made better because you had somebody to share life with. Weekdays we tend to do OK becasue we may still be working or raising children. Also, on weekdays it's not as hard getting out t...

Skipping Christmas, Surviving Christmas, Avoiding Christmas. No matter how hard you may want to do this, the calendar will still ready December 25. So the question is...how do you make it thru Christmas? Can there still be joy? What's the point? Why do I have to say Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukka etc. These questions and many more I attempt to answer in my latest podcast.