tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post1006133680270075694..comments2024-03-25T05:22:40.086-04:00Comments on Widow’s Christian Place: Moving Through Grief: Does It Include Moving Through Friendships?Ferree Bowman Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-46894954378920720102011-08-25T20:58:34.746-04:002011-08-25T20:58:34.746-04:00Hi Ferree -
Relationships always have some compli...Hi Ferree -<br /><br />Relationships always have some complications, and death changes the dynamics. This happened with several family relationships.<br /><br />Many rallied around me, including my dear Mom, my honorary sister, and other relatives.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-50053494109163982332011-08-23T18:35:23.814-04:002011-08-23T18:35:23.814-04:00It can be really hard for friends and relatives to...It can be really hard for friends and relatives to know what to say or do, and to initiate any sort of contact; its painful for them, too. But we each invest in the others lives and over time our lives are enriched. Family and friends need one another, even when the miles are long. Thanks for sharing your experiences!Ferree Bowman Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-1784517988693729002011-08-23T17:45:46.925-04:002011-08-23T17:45:46.925-04:00My friends, family, and my in-laws have been great...My friends, family, and my in-laws have been great. Those relationships have only been strengthened. A few of Michael's friends have remained in touch and genuinely seem to care about Michaela and me, but some haven't. Some of those who remain distant really surprised me - Michael's best man and his wife, for instance. From little things I've heard, there was a group of them who were offended at the gospel message delivered at Michael's memorial service. Oh, well...Joannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17152737939303560896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-45761552324939197482011-08-23T08:53:52.640-04:002011-08-23T08:53:52.640-04:00This is an interesting topic. There have been som...This is an interesting topic. There have been some 'family friends' that have tried to include me and the kids - at first it was REALLY hard for me to join them without my husband to interact with the other men. <br /> I do miss Sunday dinners with other families - they don't seem to want to invite a large family with no man. <br /> I did have one friend 'couple' who the husband was so devastated by my husband's death, that I still haven't seen or heard from him in the whole year since - but his wife has continued to reach out to me - but I miss the male friendships...<br />Our family all lives 600 miles away. I traveled there for the first time with the kids a month ago. I was pretty nervous, not knowing how I would really be received by my husband's brothers. His sister has bent over backwards to keep me feeling part of the family. (Dad is gone, Mom in a nursing home with dementia). But, as obvious as it was that Merlin was not there - they were all very supportive and gracious to us. I know this is not how some families end up finding it, so I am Very thankful!<br />SheriAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-35601201749666419412011-08-22T20:32:35.370-04:002011-08-22T20:32:35.370-04:00Hi Jean, I think it's Canadian day here in the...Hi Jean, I think it's Canadian day here in the comments and I love hearing from you. It sounds like your friendships are in a revolving door now---so watch for the new friends walking through, too. I like your blog, and how you talk to God about all this, too. blessings on you and yours.Ferree Bowman Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-45652652453647650822011-08-22T20:14:41.508-04:002011-08-22T20:14:41.508-04:00I am still a newbie at this. My husband passed awa...I am still a newbie at this. My husband passed away in January and I am just at the stage where it hits you hard again. I have found that very few friends have stayed around. One dear couple, tries to get me to go for breakfast, but because I am often babysitting, we have only been able to get together twice in the past seven months. I do feel uncomfortable with them as my husband and H. were good friends and it really isn't the same. I noticed your comment regarding the in-laws. My in-laws are not alive, but his brothers and sisters are. There are a few I have not heard from and don't expect to. The others, they try and I appreciate it greatly, but I can see how that will fade with time also. So the journey still goes on.<br /><br />JeanJeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05267937191434685165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-49253650656224784772011-08-22T19:27:07.160-04:002011-08-22T19:27:07.160-04:00I'm so glad to hear that Ruth, and the family ...I'm so glad to hear that Ruth, and the family support and friendship means so much. They need you as much as you need them makes for a great family.Ferree Bowman Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10739485535852107104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382629264175127167.post-46256560937754104222011-08-22T12:04:38.719-04:002011-08-22T12:04:38.719-04:00I believe that I have been richly blessed,because ...I believe that I have been richly blessed,because my friendships have mostly stayed the same.On top of that I have had many new people enter my life and enrich it.Jake's family has been very supportive and we continue to be a family,for which I praise God.I need them and somehow I feel that they need me as well.I am the nearest one to their brother.Ruth Hieberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11260132564992492524noreply@blogger.com