Widows & Widowers Support Group
This community is dedicated to those who have lost a husband, wife, or partner. Anything is open for discussion here, with the hope that we can focus on grief, bereavement, life after loss, and continuing on after a great loss.
So this weekend I went to the Home show in Riverside California. Had a wonderful time and signed up for lots of free give a-ways (keeping fingers crossed Ill win). But one booths sign up really upset me. Normally I dont take things personal and I let petty things slide, but this really upset me.
The form had check one:
o Single
o Married
o Divorced
o Separated
o Co-habiting
o Domestic Partner
o Civil Union
I didnt check any since it didnt apply. She asked me so what is your marital status. I told her I was windowed. She said oh thats single. I said no, being single is by choice being windowed is not like choosing to be single or divorced. So I made a box and hand wrote WINDOWED. Don't think I would have been so upset if they didn't have all the other choices listed. Hugs Arlene
The form had check one:
o Single
o Married
o Divorced
o Separated
o Co-habiting
o Domestic Partner
o Civil Union
I didnt check any since it didnt apply. She asked me so what is your marital status. I told her I was windowed. She said oh thats single. I said no, being single is by choice being windowed is not like choosing to be single or divorced. So I made a box and hand wrote WINDOWED. Don't think I would have been so upset if they didn't have all the other choices listed. Hugs Arlene
It shows that the rest of the world has much to learn about the reality of losing a spouse.
Problem is...they don't really want to hear it.
It's our problem, not theirs.
Happy Trails............Gail
Peace, Tim
I had a lot of forms to fill out after Cliff died, and the "single" box really hurt. I changed doctors after Cliff died, and was grateful and heartbroken that at least their form had a box for "widowed." It was my new OB-Gyn's that had that. I remember sitting in the waiting room, surrounded by couples, and filling that form out. I appreciated the sensitivity that at least they had that, while at the same time it just drove it home that I was the only one there flying solo. :(
I hear ya....
Love and Hugs,
Martha
Sadly, the divorce rate is increasing in many places. Maybe the designer never even thought of it.
They will probably send you a free something or other just for pointing it out.
Widows retain their married names. You do not revert back to your maiden name. Widows are also "Mrs." The term "Ms." is appropriately used when you don't know someone's marital status but wish to send correspondence which is formal. "Ms." is not the correct title for a widow if you know the woman is a widow. If you don't know if someone is married, single, widowed, then "Ms." is accepted.
It is hard enough accepting the terrible change that has happened to our lives without other people making it worse.....
Love and Hugs,
Martha