Sunday, February 8, 2009

Alone on Valentine's Day

Elaine Williams
copyright 2009
According to the U.S Census Bureau, there are approximately 700,000 new widows every year. The emotional and monetary problems that affect those experiencing widowhood are staggering. This is no small problem, as 32% of women aged 55 and older live alone, according to the 2000 U.S. Census.

Being alone during special days like Valentine’s Day can be incredibly painful for those who have lost a loved one. It's often considered a special day for couples, and if you’re recently bereaved, it can be an especially difficult time to get through. One way to lessen any negative impact of this day is to plan ahead – perhaps go out to dinner with friends or a movie. Create something special for yourself.

The stress of dealing with the death of a spouse makes it quite difficult to function at times. In addition to the loss of income, the widow or widower may also face debt issues and the pressure of becoming a single parent. When you lose someone you love, it is a permanent wound on the heart. Loss of any kind is never easy, but you can begin to enjoy life once more, even if it’s only one evening at a time. Be kind to yourself.

2 comments:

Janine said...

So hating VD. This will be my second, though my first is really a blur and I have no memory of what I did (my husband died almost 14 months ago).
But I have formed a Circle of women (I think we are all in this Circle, but this is my local Circle) and we are hoping to get together, eat in (to avoid the sappy dining-out couples) and watching a funny movie.
Our salute .... or avoidance --- of VD.

A Journey Well Taken: Life After Loss said...

I am sorry for your loss. Thank you for stopping by. Yes, we all learn to handle these days in the best way we can. Getting together with people who care about us and can relate to our experience, is very important. Best of luck to you. elaine