I am also of those that is not likely to make a change in my life as far as finding someone else. What is important is to love yourself. I see no need to change what hand I wear my rings on or remove them. To me it proves nothing. Maybe by wearing them I say that this is me. Take it or leave it.

Maggie

There is no answer to this question. It is a decision only you can make for yourself

I wear my engagement ring on my left hand and wedding bands on a chain around my neck. I still see myself as married. Thats what I am comfortable with.

You have had several good comments and advice as far as the rings and your feelings go, so I won't add to that - I've written about my rings transition before. You ask another question about loving your husband and finding love again, and I just wanted to add a comment on that.

Cliff died, my love for him didn't. I am at 6.5 years as a widow, and I still love him very much. I am also remarried, to a widower I met in this group, and have been remarried now for 3.5 years. It is like having two hearts, and they don't compete or cancel each other out. Love isn't like that. Cliff was the love of my life - my old life; Mark is the love of my new life. How did it happen? By surprise, by serendipity, by fate, by intervention from beyond? All of the above for me.

Not everyone will find love again or want to find love again. Just as with the rings questions, there is no right or wrong answer - just what feels right for you. And while Maggie and I have chosen different paths, we agree on a very essential point - it is important to know and love yourself first, whatever your decision may eventually be.

I hope this helps a little, and as far as love after loss, there is a discussion thread written a few years back, after I became engaged to my second husband, which may also help you understand that these questions are normal. Here is a link to that discussion:

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Widows_Widowers/forum/9040500-great-debate-and-two

Love and Hugs,
Martha

Martha, thanks for the link. It did address what I am trying to grasp. I am open to loving again, just couldn't understand how that worked. You express yourself very well.

I am at almost 7 months now after losing my husband to cancer. I wear my rings just as before I still feel married. A dear friend bought me a sturdy beautiful gold chain a few days after Frank died so I could wear his wedding bands around my neck, and it gives me great peace having my rings still on my finger and his around my neck. I think this is a choice each person must make for themselves without feeling he or she must please others. Our grief is our own, no one else's. You must do what brings you peace and what feels right for you.

It depends on your own personal position. My position is, Over 70, no children and no intent on remarrying or dating. My wife's rings went with her. They were rings I gave her with a promise that this marriage was forever. The same for the ring she gave me. She still wears hers, I still wear mine. When I go, mine will also go with me. That was the agreement.
Personal choices depend on to may variables to be tied to any one persons opinion. Do what your circumstances and your heart tell you.

Best Regards, George

I'll second what others have said: you should do what you feel comfortable doing, and recognize that while that may change over time, that's OK too.

My wife passed away about five months ago after a long illness. In the year before she died, I'd ordered two matching silver rings for our anniversary. After she died, I removed hers and wear that now on my left hand with both my copy of the silver ring, and my wedding band. I'm sure it looks a little weird, but as I said, you need to do what brings you comfort.

I couldn't wear my ring anymore because I was pregnant when my husband passed away and it didn't fit. So, after he died, I wore both his and mine on a dog tag chain around my neck or, sometimes in my pocket attached to my belt loop. I am at 13 months now and just last week I had been getting a lot of signs of my husband's presence around me. I have been hearing him tell me I need to let go and get on with life. Only, I'm not sure exactly what this means or what I am supposed to do. Later that week the chain broke from my rings and I found them on the floor. So, now at 13 months I no longer wear them. But, I think there is no set time... you just do what feels right. Sigh

Soon after Mike died I gave my engagement ring to our oldest daughter and started wearing the simple band that Mike has asked me to marry him with. After a month I took off my ring and placed with his in a keep sake box. I felt the rings belonged together. I do not believe there is a set rule. I just did what felt right to me.
Kymberly

Another personal choice you will need to make for yourself. Whatever you are comfortable with and warms your heart. I have been widowed 5 years now. He is still my husband even though he has departed this earth. Technically I am considered "single", but I am still married, and still have a husband. That didn't stop when I lost him. Life is full circle now, filled with love, companionship and affection from pets, family and friends.

The rings have stayed on and there is no intention to take them off. They are a part of me and will stay there.

There IS room in your heart to love others......if you have a genuine, loving heart. I believe we chose to love......... it is a conscience choice or decision. WILL you chose to give love to someone else if they have chosen to love you??????? that also is your decision. I thought I would never love again, but I am. Did I lose any love I had and have for my late husband, NO! Do I wonder what others are thinking about me taking on a new love, yes! But why? They don't know my heart. They don't know if there is enough love in my heart to keep the love for my husband and still grasp love here on earth. Another thing is. my husband KNEW that I did not want to be alone again....ever! He told me I would not have to be, thinking that he would still be here. I am certain that he would want me to open my heart so that I would not be alone again. HE and HE alone knew my heart! I moved my wedding ring to my right hand as I see others on this site did. I see it often, and every time I look at it,. I think of him. I also had to make a split decision to change hands with my ring. When I would think about it..........it never got done. Hang in there..............if you have a big heart with lots of room. Love just may come again! IF your heart is closed...........well.......

At first I thought I'd wear my rings forever. Then I had a terribly hard day and took them off. It wasn't out of anger or disrespect. His ring was in my jewelry box and I felt mine belonged with his as they were a set(like we were). My rings are beautiful and I loved wearing them. But it's different now. There is no wrong here. Please do whatever is right for you(follow your heart).