Wow, not looking forward to that. It was bad enough my first birthday alone on 10/25 after just 17 days after my wife of 35years passing. I've been told the first year is the hardest with holidays, birthdays and anniversary. We must remember the good times and forget the bad ones. We will survive but it isn't easy. Good luck. On my birthday I made dinner and set a plate for her. I knew it wouldn't be good but thought I might as well get it over. Tears added seasoning to the fish and green bean almandine, that's for sure! Take my word on this, a little too salty!

I'm hoping that work and sleep will help me "skip" past the day but who knows....

Sending good thoughts your way that you will get through the day. Sylvia

I just got through the first anniversary alone last month. for some reason i was more a wreck the week leading up the our anniversary and the actual day i was able to some function as a person (who happened to cry at the slightest thing). I planned to take a bike ride with a good friend and enjoy summer for as long as it stuck around; well it pored buckets so everything i had planned was canceled. So i cleaned out my garage and babysat my niece and nephew. Followed by take out and ice cream for supper.
My advise let others know what your plans are (if your leaving town for the day, want to be alone or already have plans). Letting them (and by them i mean the ones who would stop in/call or want to get you to do something) know whats going on. Its hard for them as well because they are also at a loss for what to do.
My best and saddest surprise was the flowers my sister-in-laws sent me with a card that said Happy Memories.

lots of hugs, Laurie

Well my husband passed away 17 days before our anniversary. ...it was a Sunday, we usually would of gone to church, then to dinner and a movie. ..but I could not bring myself to get out of bed for some reason....but I eventuallyforced myself up about 430pm, showered and went into a local place for take out....ducking and dodging people, I ran into this guy and he was just talking to me as I was waiting on my food for about 10 minutes then he blurted out 'where your husband at''...I wanted to scream!!!..so I hurried out of there before the tears came...luckily I made it to my car before they came. ..afterwards I went to his aunts house. ..she helps me to still feel close to him, for some reason. ..then I came back home and got into bed....29 days later, my birthday, I made sure not to be around so I booked me a flight and ran for the mountains of Colorado Springs. ...it was much, much better, because I could get out and go places and didn't have to worry about running into anyone I knew, or anyone who knew my story. Unfortunately I want to talk about it only when I want to talk about it...Good luck to you with your first..

My husband passed away 3 wks ago and even though I have family support in the area.....I have many little meltdowns every day. We have an anniversary coming up in Dec....and then Christmas.
It will be a very sad day. Kids are all grown and it was just the two of us. Even though I knew his time on earth was limited it still was not expected so soon.

I do find it easier to write online to others experiencing grief right now....I find myself crying too often in person when others try to talk to me.

Keep yourself busy or spend the day in bed with his good memories . I really can't figure how to survive each day without him . Still we have to live is the curse I feel . I am still having very rough days and mornings so I feel I m not the best person to suggest . I would want to be with my family I guess and be loved .