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Linda Hoye's avatar

I appreciate that you share your real and raw thoughts about something so hard. One day at a time. That’s all any of us can handle. Sending love. ❤️

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Searching for the Words's avatar

Dear Linda - thank you for reading, for subscribing, and for the love. It helps me feel less alone. Yes. One day at a time. ❤️

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Julie's avatar

Thank you for your painful, beautiful words. I lost my husband 11 months ago to a catastrophic stroke due to small vessel disease. Grief is like a foreign country to me. But I am learning to embrace it like a friend, because it means we loved well and long. May the God of all comfort be yours on your journey.

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Searching for the Words's avatar

I am so, so sorry for your loss, Julie. Like you, I am learning to embrace the grief as it comes. Thank you for the reminder that it means we have lived well and long. Thank you for reading and sharing here. May our God be your solace and strength.

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Christine Colwell's avatar

Patricia, thank you for summing up and expressing the most profound feelings we walk through when a life partner is ill.

“It’s a hard grief when your loved one is profoundly changed but still present, mostly oblivious to his decline, and not wanting to hear about it anyway. There is a certain ache and loneliness to yearn for the man you have loved long, to miss his person, his protection, and his partnership deeply. There’s also guilt for the embarrassment you feel at his increasingly odd behaviours, for not being more grateful for the parts of him that remain—because those parts are so different. There is deep dread knowing that even those parts will eventually disappear”.

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Searching for the Words's avatar

Thank you for reading and finding resonance, Christine. I know you know about loss. ❤️‍🩹

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Andrea Kidd's avatar

Truth, honesty, hope and a practical way shine through this piece. Thank you so much for sharing so we may gain courage and wisdom.

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Searching for the Words's avatar

Thank you, Andrea. I pray that my hard-learned lessons might somehow bring some help and hope to others. I am grateful for your kind words. Thank you for stopping by.

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April Yamasaki's avatar

May you continue to hope in the midst of this hard grief. Thank you for sharing.

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Searching for the Words's avatar

Thank you for reading and for your encouragement, April. Both are deeply appreciated.

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Lisa Blair's avatar

Sending you a hug, Patricia. And praying for the God of all comfort to comfort you in your grief and to strengthen and encourage you in your journey of love and care giving.

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Searching for the Words's avatar

Thank you for this kindness, Lisa! Hug received!

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