You do it one step, one minute and one breath at a time. I know it sounds so trivial, but that is honestly what I do. Each minute that I get through is one minute stronger that I become. I did that last one--I can do the next one too.
Not sure of the circumstances that have let you to this board as we all have a vast array of paths that have led us all to one destination and that is the loss of our best friend and love. There is no manual that will lay out an easy way to walk through this, but the good news is that you can continue to walk, even it if is only for one step.
Big hugs to you!!

You don't answer to anyone else but you and your daughter. The desire to lay in bed and sob is so real. It is something that no one understands until you have been there. You need to eat, and take care of yourself and your daughter. That is what your loved one would have wanted. Try to do things the simple way. You don't have to cook a gourmet meal, and set the table etc...My kids and I eat around the TV and I know that is bad, but that is what we do and we love it. I sometimes give them sandwiches, and make it simple. It is all about simplicity. Try to lay in your bed and sob. If you desire that, then do it. Just don't forget where you are or why you are living. You are a survivor, and you do have life within you to use at your discretion. Hope this helps...Hugs~Shelley

At the end of my day I also wonder how I made it and took care of the needs of my kids. We do it because we have to, and not because we want to. Some of us have no choice. Those quarters we planted in the back yard have not grown into money trees. Our jobs put food in our kids' mouths and pay the bills. Just dig down deep and pick up the weight of the world and keep on.

Maggie

I'm in sales, so I had to go back in three days looking normal. I did it by compartmentalizing. There was the work me and the widow me. I focused entirely on the customer at work, but at home I let everything out. It worked fine and I'm still working.

I found the strength to do this by observing a coworker of mine who lost his father and eventually his job due to his constant crying. He was nonfunctional.
On the other hand, my coworkers in sales have had some major tragedies(several have lost children) and were still able to function. It was from them that I got the idea.

It is hard, no doubt about it. I have four children and work full time as a teacher. I do it one small task at a time. I have days that I barely make it through. I have days when I do okay, and feel proud to be doing okay at the end of the day. I run my house as best I can, and I do not stress the little stuff. Life is too short to sweat all the small stuff, so I don't. I just do the best I can every day, and occasionally I take a day off and stay in bed all day. And that is okay , too. This journey is hard, and we have to learn to take care of ourselves, as well as our children. Hugs to you, Dawn