Oh, gosh, it's way too early for me to be addressing this emotionally, but I'm thinking intellectually that it means holding your place in society - being a mother, sister, daughter, employee, friend as the case might be - able to give back to them rather than just taking and taking. Also re-engaging in life to the extent that we can start having new experiences - going places, doing things.

I'm nowhere near ready for any of that, though.

Hugs, Gail

To me, it means I made it through another day.

I think it means getting through each day by getting out of the house and being among people. Some days I just can't do that and that's okay too. This new life is a learning experience and it takes practice.

Hugs,
Gloria

I think not in a ball crying. Although, that is how I feel on the inside, I do get out of bed and leave the house. Am I okay? I am breathing. I am not in the nut house yet. Am I living an exciting wonderful life, NO. My life as I knew it, is over. Part of me died. I am learning how to go through each day without the love of my life. The pain of it is just overwhelming. I feel like I am on the edge of totally losing it. I do however, make it through another day. Hugs. Shawn

For me from what I've learned at my hospice group it's being about accepting the emotions you have at any time. They called it to "just be". Sometimes, according to hospice, it can mean that you pamper yourself and lay on the couch or sit in a chair and let the tears flow. Tears can be cleansing, I know from experience. Of course, they also are tiring, but they must come out. One the the things they told me was "You are in the place you need to be"

I found that hard to accept and thought I should always be better, but it was wrong of me. At this time and for all times, you need to take care of you. Give yourself permission to grieve, to miss him, to feel lonely and angry. And when a moment comes that you feel a smile, let that shine through. Just be. Sharon

For me often O.K. is," I don't want to get into it" and/or I don't think you really want me to get into it but thanks for asking.

When we have loved and lost I don't think we are ever "OK" again. We are scarred for life. But with time, healing, and determination we can live a full, meaningful, productive, and even happy life.

For me a big piece of this process was learning to be "OK" with myself. I need other people and need a purpose to my life. But at the same time I've learned to be "OK" when I'm alone, to be "OK" if I have to go somewhere by myself, to be "OK" when things don't work out as I planned.

Hang in there with whatever situation you are going through. All the best, Tami

What's OK? For me it's whatever I can manage, and whatever I can't manage is OK, too.

How are you? I am OK - I get up in the morning. I go to the bathroom, brush my teeth and wash my face. I have a coffee, feed the pets, sweep the floor and get ready for work. I go to work and then I come home from work. I sweep the floor, feed the pets and cook something for dinner. I eat, do the dishes, wash my face, brush my teeth and go to bed. Yep..I am OK !!

To me, "OK" means "It could be better, but it could also be a whole lot worse."

Below are 2 links to widowed father's sites you might like to see:

http://www.singledad.com/s/home.php

http://widowedsinglefather.blogspot.com

Blessings to you,
Doye

For me for a long time okay was my automatic response to the continual question from people "How are you doing?" knowing they did not want the truth I always smiled my fake smile and said I am okay! Now to me it means even though I am sad and lonely I am coping and functioning.

I am OK, I am fine. Both my standard response to get to another subjest. Better than, I have my days or do you really want to know? OK does the trick. How you doin'? Fine and one day it will be I am doing good, and you?

That is the standard answer that I give to those who ask and I really think they do not want to know. You know, the ones that get that glazed over spaced out look if you make the mistake of wanting to talk about things that they really don't want to hear.

In the beginning I thought I was O.K. I could get up in the morning, wash my face and carry on sane conversations most of the time. Later it took on new meaning. I was able to laugh again and not feel guilty for doing so. Lately I am beginning to think that I am not really O.K. and I never will truly be so again in the same way that I was before and that is O.K. I am now more honest with myself and in touch with reality than before so that is O.K. Now things and situations are O.K. but really I am not. Does this make any sense? Say O.K. if it does. :)

When my wife was lying in the hospital dying she told me everything was going to be OK, I'll let you know when I get there.

Whenever I am asked about how I am doing, if I reply OK, it simply means I am struggling to function and am crying on the inside. This is my reply if I'm barely hanging on, yet don't want to burden the person who asked. Hugs to you--Mae