Yes, try not to stress over it. It's probably an excellent way to spend your anniversary and I'm betting you come home with lots of great stories of the good time you had. Don't go to do what you did with Diana, go to enjoy the beauty with your boys. Share stories around the campfire, toast marshmellows, and start a new memory. Also remember she's there too, looking down at the guys she loves and smiling at all of you. Sharon.

Stressing before a 'special' day is part of this grieving process and is usually worse than the actual day.

I think going with your son is an excellent plan! Having something planned on those 'special' days is so much better than sitting home alone. I've done both. Now, when one of 'our' days is approaching, I try to have something planned with one or all of my kids, or a friend or two. It truly helps.

Now, go and have a grand ole time with your son. Make some new memories to go with the older memories. Hugs, Joely

I ended up going to the Nascar races with my son and daughter in law on our first anniversary after I lost my husband. We were in a motel at the same place that we always went because I already had tickets and reservations. It actually was good to have plans, though I set aside alone me time at the motel and asked them to go do something for a few hours so I had a chance to go down memory lane and had a good cry. I have both done things and done nothing on special days.

I have found that it is better to have both something planned, and a few hours alone at the end of the day so I can spend some time remembering those special times that we had.

The days before worrying and working up the nerve to survive "that day" always are very hard. Sometimes the days after are also hard. There's just no easy way, I'm afraid...but I think that going is a good idea.

hugs...
-Diana

I JUST LAST WEEK WENT TO NANTUCKET FOR 3 DAYS. IT WAS WITH THE SUPPORT OF MY THERAPIST (GOOD GOD, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE IN A PLACE IN MY LIFE WHERE I WOULD BE SAYING "MY THERAPIST"!!) SHE HAD TALKED WITH ME AT LENGTH ABOUT REGAINING THE PLACES WE LOVED TOGETHER ,AS MY OWN. THAT IF WE PACKAGE THINGS AND LABEL THEM AS THE PAST, THAT IT ENDS UP BEING A HUGE BOX OF FEARS AND SADNESS'S IN OUR HEARTS. I WAS SO NERVOUS, BUT AGAIN I FIGURED I COULD ALWAYS LEAVE IF I NEEDED TO.
IN THE END IT WAS WONDERFUL. I CERTAINLY FELT BOB ALL AROUND ME (AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT) BUT I ALSO GOT THE CHANCE TO REALIZE THAT NANTUCKET IS BEAUTIFUL AND PEACEFUL ON IT'S OWN. I VENTURED TO NEW SPOTS THAT WE HAD NEVER BEEN TO AND FELT A SENSE OF EXHILARATION. I ALSO MADE SURE TO SPEND SOMETIME AT THE SPOTS WE LOVED AND LET MYSELF CRY IT OUT AND TALK TO HIM.
THE FACT THAT YOUR SON SUGGESTED IT, I THINK SPEAKS VOLUMES. GOING TOGETHER WILL MAKE IT A GREAT EXPERIENCE OF STRENGTHENING THE BOND AND ACKNOWLEDGING THAT YOU TWO ARE STILL FAMILY AND THAT YOUR BEAUTIFUL WIFE IS STILL A PART OF BOTH OF YOU.
LET US ALL KNOW HOW THE TRIP GOES. I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED AS TO THE OUTCOME.
ENJOY, AND IF YOU HAVE SOME TOUGH MOMENTS, PLEASE REMEMBER WE WILL ALL BE HERE FOR YOU WHEN YOU GET BACK.
HUGS AND STRENGTH!
JUDI

I hope you will find, once you are there, that you can remember the happy times spent there and make new memories to go along with the old ones. Yes, it will be stressful, but just go with the flow and enjoy it........and if you have a few tears in remembering......thats OK too. I think the trip sounds like a great idea and a good place to be as you reach another milestone in your journey of firsts. Dianne

This is what I am also facing. Tomorrow Todd has been gone 6 mos. Our 7th anniversary is next Thursday. There is NO one for me to spend this time with to help ease the pain in my heart. It hurts that my children will never know their father. I need to find something other than work to ease my mind at this time. peace...Kaaren

I would say go and enjoy what you can. I would anticipate a good sob fest though and no reason to avoid it. These dates and reminders are unavoidable and no reason to deny yourself the pleasures of the rest of the trip, just know that you may be emotional and let it be. Hug, Donna

the first trip back to a special place is hard...I went back to Jackson Hole in June - our favorite place - and although I shed some ( well, a lot of) tears, I saw Jim everywhere and that actually gave me some comfort. We had such happy times there, it made me feel just a little closer to him. My anniversary is the end of August also...I know it will be a sad day - no way getting around it. I have found over the last year ( almost) that the anticipation of the day is usually worse than the actual day. I think it's good that you will be in your favorite place and with your son. I wish you peace on your trip.
Stephanie