Taking Back What Grief Has Stolen

Grief is a bully and a thief. It throws far reaching, debilitating punches that knows no boundaries—race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or nationality. When I lost my husband, Ricky, seven years ago, my life completely changed. I became a widow. I lost my home to foreclosure. My teenage sons lost their amazing Dad who was their Superman. Not in my right mind, I chose unhealthy, self-sabotaging methods to fill his void and to numb the ache that filled my being. I sought the comfort of human touch by dating men right away. Several men… But thanks be to God, who has helped me come to myself. I do not seek to hit people over the head with religion; but I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the Source of strength, love and determination and protection in my life. He kept me. I am indeed flawed. I have made many errors in judgement in my life and my grief journey. I am no longer ashamed. I stand in my truth. My Father has shown me that He can still use me, a cracked vessel. In fact, take a peek at the folks in the Bible and you would be hard pressed to find one who is perfect. Only Jesus fits that description. Yet He still used those people and still blessed them in many ways. Broken crayons still color. He has shown me that I am healing. That there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. And that I can still hold my head high. Now, weary of grief kicking my arse, I am on a mission. I am taking back what it has stolen from me: My peace. My joy. My dignity. My sense of purpose. By Divine Inspiration, I have formed 2 Become 1 Grief Support. The focus of this umbrella organization is spouse and partner loss. It includes hosting a Friday night grief support group, and a podcast titled “Just a Widow Talk,” featuring a weekly interview where a different griever shares their grief journey. Why? So that widows, widowers and partners may share what they are going through after losing their dear loved ones, and to foster a better understanding of us grievers who have lost a partner or spouse to death.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and for your support of grievers everywhere! To hear firsthand stories of spouse and partner loss, tune in to the Just a Widow Talk podcast here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1910837/9809224 Follow us on Twitter: @Escribemama Linked in: Teresa Taylor Williams