Hugs to everyone here. It is a painful thing to lose a spouse. I had been married for 32 years to the love of my life who was 13 years my senior. He died on Nov 10, 2003. I'm still in what I would call a recovery mode but I know he would want me to carry on and really live not just exist so I have strived to do this.

Last fall I lost a younger brother very unexpectedly (aneurism) and have been busy as executor of his estate. Two deaths in two years has been a bit rough and I have my down days but getting outside myself to think of and share with others and help where I can is the most positive thing I can do to ward of the blues.

Dotsie says I am just a tad too old to be a true boomer :-( but here I am anyway. (04/27/43). Lin, my hubby's b'day was March 30; it does hurt a bit. I always made his favorite cake and usually Cornish style pasties (meat pies) which he loved.

The most positive thing I can think of is that no one is truly gone as long as they are remembered with love--and clearly your husband is by you and your children--so a bit of him is always with you. Two songs make me teary but also help: Josh Groban's "To Where You Are" and Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On." Both attest to the power of love to outlive the body and hint that there may be a joyous reunion in the future. Let's all believe this if we can. Sorry, I tend to get gabby <wry grin> cuz I am Irish and a writer, I guess.

AzGaye