I’m a straightforward woman whose faith is first and foremost. I have a wicked sense of humor and occasional potty mouth, and I adore nothing more than a good cocktail on occasion. A domesticate by nature and someone who loves the institution of marriage, I’m now comfortably independent. I’m an extroverted introvert which is an anomaly in itself. I prefer small gatherings to large crowds but can talk to anyone! Solitude rejuvenates my soul. I crave the company of my friends. I could sit around a dinner table for hours discussing biblical insight, theory, our kids, life. My dog is a treasure, and my children are my joy. I deserve none of them. All three are gifts of love.
It seems I’m the only female that knows the left lane is the “fast lane” ~ move! I don’t particularly appreciate talking on the phone in the car, preferring to sing praise and worship songs, delightfully off-key, at the top of my lungs, i.e., joy. I no longer have the patience for bull$t, and hearing of a family’s loss flattens me. I’m an automatic water spicket that God has put on auto-pilot. My empathy is off the charts. I understand the familial dynamics for that wife and those children have changed as quickly as Jesus coming in the blink of an eye.
These things I now know about myself. Not as Robin’s wife, widow, or my daughter’s mother. As me. Child of God. It has taken me almost four years, and that’s ok. I’m building a new life, not a convenience store.
I was convinced I would die the first two years of widowhood. I didn’t. Grief is an invaluable tool teaching us how to survive and ultimately thrive. If you are grieving, know that you are loved by a God who sees every tear & and knows every fear. He is the perfect orchestrator, architect, and healer. No pain in your story is wasted.
I hope this site will help you navigate some of the decisions, questions, and widowhood difficulties. widow101.com is designed as a reference site to leave open on your laptop. It allows interaction with other women on the widow101 Instagram account while listening to custom Spotify playlists. You can check out solo travel recommendations for you or you and your pet. There are practical recommendations about insurance and car buying. Feed your soul with ministers and grief counselors’ advice. There are personal stories of widows like yourself. Check back often for blog posts and updated articles.
If you need prayer for anything: grief, decisions about the future, dating decisions, send an inbox; it will be our privilege to pray. We’ve got a group of women on stand-by to pray for you. This blog will be as random as my thought process: cooking, adventure, travel, world peace, who knows. The whole point is to find joy in life now. It’s all an adventure–or I keep telling myself that, and since we are in it together it sure would be delightful to share it together.
Elizabeth