Cliff\'s parents passed before he did. His sister tried to steal the whole of his father\'s estate and it took a 5-year court battle to get Cliff\'s inheritance. Death and greed do weird things to people. So when Cliff died, my only true remaining in-law (we\'d disowned his sister) was his younger brother. His brother came to the funeral, was a pallbearer, and gave a moving eulogy. Then he went back home and I haven\'t heard from him since. We were family for 30 years, but apparently that didn\'t mean anything to him. It was hard for me, but what really made me angry was that my sons could have really benefited from contact with their uncle. So the short answer is \'no\' - I received no support from my in-laws....

Laura,
I have been fortunate in that all of my wife\'s family have been caring and understanding and we all have been grieving together. I am curretly living with my stepdaughter because Rose and I were selling our home and she passed before it actually sold, so now I am left with having sold the home and no new one to move into yet - her and I were supposed to be choosing a new home together :(
Her entire family got together for Memorial weekend and they invited not only me, but my side of the family as well. I will also be spending some of my vacation this year with my stepson and his family.
I plan on continuing to be a part of Rose\'s grandchildren\'s lives as I know she really would have wanted that, and my stepchildren want that as well. I am close with Rose\'s family and I consider myself very fortunate indeed. BTW, Rose and I married late in life also, we met in 1998 and were married several years later. In that short time I gained a new and caring family and I consider that Rose\'s gift to me until I join her one day in the next life (hopefully). Hugs, Mark.

Laura,
Unfortuntately Steve & I were only married for a short time, as it was a 2nd marraige for both of us. I became close to his parents for the short time, as his mom passed 4 years ago, and we both did everything we could for his dad. When steve had his 3rd incident in the hospital, his dad became very bitter to me, and was already buring his son. When his only son passed, my husband (steve), I got no support or anything from his dad. He even blamed me, for killing his son.
big time negative....

The support from my husbands family has been very up and down. His father was a very big part of our support during the first year. The past 7 months not as much contact. He has always been that way. His mom doesn\'t call period! His brother isn\'t dealing with it. Like Martha said it would be nice to have their uncle there for them, the closest thing to their father. He also has 2 sisters, we hear more from one than the other. The nieces and nephews have been very supportive. It is a strange thing all of those years with a family and then suddendly for whatever the reason may be you are not considered a big part of the family any more. It really hurts. I am starting to see this as more of a common thing. I have some friends off the site that have also experienced the same thing. Now Mark has had the opposite which is a blessing. This got me to thinking about whether this is more common with the husbands family or just a coincidence. Hugs Denise

I have been lucky that my husband has a lot of brothers and sisters, they all keep in touch and are always here for me. His mother passed away 13 years ago and he father has not been to my house since Dan passed. I think it might be the momories and the fact that we are still in the same house. It hurts alot to know that he is not there for me. I guess it is hard loosing a son as well as a husband.

I have 2 sister in laws. I have stayed in contact with one because she is simply wonderful. There is a uncle and aunt of his and we stay in touch often. The rest are not a part of my life, unfortunately. Diann

Jim\'s parents both passed away before he did, but when they were alive, they treated me like a daughter. All that is left now is his brother and his wife (and kids) and they are all so wonderful. There isn\'t anything they wouldn\'t do for me, my daughters and stepson. We are still "FAMILY" and I feel very blessed for that!!

My \'outlaws\' have no contact at all with me and their grandchildren (my children) get a birthday and christmas card, that\'s IT. Hubby has three brothers, none of which call or write. His sis-in-law and I emailed often during his illness and were (I thought) very close. No word from her either, I wrote the last email. I feel very badly for my children, no contact with any of their dad\'s family. I don\'t understand it at all! My children not only lost their dad, but any and all memories that his family could have shared, as well as any relationships they could\'ve had. It hurts.

My in-laws were great in the beginning, I still talk to them but not as much as before. Bruce was my 2nd husband and we were only married just short of 1 year. but together for 9. One sister said if we had kids together then I would be more like family. Go figure.

My husband has only recently passed away and the majority of his big family has kept in contact one way or another with me. Chris had 8 brothers and sisters and numerous other family members. His parents had both passed away before we met. I\'m pregnant with his only child so I don\'t see the bigger part of his family not keeping in touch. He and his family are really big on being a family and getting together. I could be wrong though. I know how people can change over time. I\'m going to continue to do my part though and keep in touch.

I have always gotten along with Ricks parents ...I do find it hard to go visit them because it was something we always did together..but out of respect for my late husband I make the effort to stop in once a week...they dont come here but their getting old and they dont go many places..they are good people who have lost a child and my heart aches for them..

Thank you all for sharing. I am seeing a wide range of experiences here. It is good to know I am not alone, but sad to see that many of you have had similar experiences with in-laws dropping out. I am beginning to suspect that it may not be a question of in-laws liking us or not, but more a question of their not knowing how to deal with their own grief.

my in-laws true colors came out the day of their son's my husbands funeral I have not spoken to them for 17 months. They were not nice people too begin with but I ate their crow for 27 years because I loved my husband. be strong and my prayers are with you

Rich's folks passed before he did and I miss his Dad a lot. I only knew his Mom for 6 months before she passed away. His Dad was my rock when Rich was drafted into the service only 3 months after we married and I was newly pregnant.
His brother, on the other hand is a different story. I have known him since he was 12 and he is now 52. He came over right after Rich passed and since then has not come over nor called even once to see how we are all doing.
Love & Hugs, Mo

I am blessed in this department. Altho I never got along real well with my Mother in law during 3/4s of our marriage she finally changed (or maybe I did) She died a year after my Bill but we kept in contact and his brother is my best friend and cheer leader. He is the one I call when I get panicked or out of control. We lost oldest sister this April. My B-in-law and his sister are not speaking to each other but I am friends with both- so my inlaws have been supportive.