This site has helped me as well. The advice here and the sharing are priceless. It helps so much to talk to people who really understand what we are going through.

This board has been a big help for me. My husband passed away 7 months ago today. I found this site and started reading people's responses and have made posts of my own. There would be times I would wonder "what's wrong with me" and come here and post to find out, there isn't anything wrong with me. I was just being normal after losing a spouse. Just knowing that is so comforting.

There is no doubt in my mind that DS and the compassionate people on it were the post important tool I had in working my way through the grief. The insights, support and love were immesureable. I went from basically in so much pain and yes suicidal to functioning healthy and being able to embrace my memories with a smile. I have nothing but utmost respect for the community leaders that guide this board and keep it a safe place. The people here although we come from different walks of life pull together as a community to deal with this monster called grief. I have connected with friends that I can only descibe as remarkable I otherwise would have never shared this journey with. I would encourage the new please access here often it is truly a healing place. We all journey at a different timeframes, and in different ways and here we recognize that is ok. Wishing everyone here true peace. Gerald

I too have found this place has helped me. Some times I just read the posts and other times I will comment.
It gives me a peace of mind to knew that I really am not crazy and other people going through the grieving process have some of the same feeling as I do.
Thanks to everyone for making the grieving process easier for me.

I agree with Gerald - DS has been the absolute most help for me in this journey we share. I count it as a real blessing to have found this site and all of you wonderful, caring people. There are times when I am not up to posting but I don't think a day has gone by that I don't check in (sometimes multiple times) to see how everyone is doing and to draw strength. I am lucky to have family and friends that try to understand and help - but it is you guys who know exactly what this is. I wish you all some kind of peace as we all face this holiday season. -Deb

At four months the pain is still so new & so raw. Please take some comfort in knowing that although the pain and emptiness seems to last forever the intensity of it lessens.

DS really saved me when I was at four months. I am now at 2 1/2 years and I still find it helpful. The people here really do understand and it such a safe place to express and release our grief and feelings that others just do not begin to understand.

Many good wishes to you for healing and peace.

I think I will always stay. I have to say I no longer feel as needy as I did at first, but I feel at home here, and have grown VERY fond of a great many folk here who walk this journey with us. There are always new people who need a bit of encouragement too. Although I say I am better now than I was, you all know that there comes a day when everything just goes pear shaped, and the grief seems as unrelenting as ever.

Thank you for sharing and thank all of you for sharing - it does make this journey somewhat easier knowing that I'm not alone and that we all have many similar experiences.

Lost my husband of 40 years, he was in late 50's, it was very sudden and unexpected, just over a month ago. Coping on the surface and not wanting my family to see my grief, but realising that all your hopes for your future life together have been taken away so abruptly so hard to cope with, especially with Christmas approaching and everyone naturally in festive mood. I really don't think it has sunk in yet, I sometimes get emotional on phone, but haven't cried. feel as if I wouldn't stop and there always seems to be an occasion ahead of me that I need to be acceptable for.

I lost my husband of 37 years in July, unexpectantly. People tell me I am so strong, I just keep going. I do have my moments, I spend alot of time alone with my dog. My daughter still lives at home, and my son lives about an hour away. I know I will have setbacks, but my salvation is that my husband is not suffering and he is not worried about his heart any longer. That is how I keep putting one foot in front of the other every day. Take care.....Patricia

I am with you there. The people of DS have helped me so much, and still do. Reading posts and posting myself helped me to work things through. I would not be where I am today without them.

I never feel totally alone because of it. A great community, even if we join it reluctantly. Certainly, a big thank you to all from me.