When my wife died 3 years ago, I found that the joy I had gotten from my hobbies and interests was severely diminished. Nothing was fun anymore. I didn't see how I would ever be able to enjoy anything again. 3 years before my wife's death we moved to North Carolina from New York. I took early retirement so I could take care of my wife (she had a number of different illnesses). We lived on her disability payments, my retirement money and I was giving drum lessons 2 days a week. After she died, I was devastated that I had lost the love of my life, and had the added pressure of being broke without the disability money. I increased my teaching to 4 days a week but I was still not making enough money. 6 months ago I found a second place to teach. I'm now teaching 6 days a week. Also, I will be turning 60 in 3 weeks and will begin to collect my wife's social security. I will now finally have enough money to live on but I also found a blessing from the new place I'm teaching at that I never expected. My love for rock and roll (I've been a music nerd since age 14) has returned as strong as it was before. I've also found that I'm getting more enjoyment from my other hobbies and interests. No, I won't ever get over losing my wife and I decided early on that I won't date again. However, I have found to my surprise that I can enjoy life again. I didn't try to make it happen. It just happened. To those like me who think enjoyment from life isn't possible after losing your soul mate, I want you to know that there is hope. To quote Bruce Springsteen "we're just around the corner from the light of day"