**AGELESS** Georgia.
I lost my husband Michael from complications due to stomach cancer
on Feb. 27, 1997. He was 3 weeks shy of his 44th birthday. He was
diagnosed 3 weeks after his 42nd birthday and tried with all his
might to beat it, but the cancer beat him in the end. He crashed
once after the initial surgery and saw the "light" but he said he
couldn't go at that time (maybe because I was yelling at him that
he couldn't leave us yet!). He stayed with us for 9 months after
that knowing that we needed him in any way, shape or form. Finally,
I told him it was ok to go find peace and be pain-free, and that
we would be ok. It wasn't easy to let him go, but I knew I had to.
The hardest part was trying to explain to a 5-year-old that Daddy
was going to die. It's been 4 years now and life sure has changed.
We have been blessed a second time, met a fellow widower right here
thru GROWW, married 10/15/99. Now I have 3 kids, 3 cats and a dog!
I will always try to give back as much as I get from GROWW, it saved
my sanity and I have made some of the best friends I've ever had
here. " With an open heart and an open mind ANYTHING is possible".
GROWW Executive Director, Host for Grief Recovery,
Manager for GROWW for Widowed
I lost my husband and best friend of almost 25 years, John, on 3/15/97.
We started our journey in February 0f 1995 when his doctor first
feared that John could have ALS. It was later confirmed that
John had a rare neurological disorder called OPCA which basically
means that his brainstem was dying. Through our years together
we were blessed with two great kids, Jenny and Aaron. John
was able to meet Jenny's future husband and get to know him before
he passed away. Jenny was married two months after he died.
He was also able to see our son graduate from high school in 1995.
Before John's death, I was never online. But in the summer
of 1998 I found GROWW and GFWO and must say I'm addicted.
I realized that we have such a bond that unless you have experienced
death of a spouse you cannot truly understand. I have been
blessed with so many good friends through GFWO and was able to meet
lots this year at the Poconos. I know in my heart that John
is in a better place and that while we may not agree, everything
happens to us for reason. I truly believe that my reason is
to give back the kindness and understanding what I have been given
each day.
, Host for GROWW for Widowed, Host for Grief Recovery
I live in Vermont on a country road with the trees and wildlife surrounding
me. Charlie died suddenly, on 11/8/98, from a heart attack after responding
to a car fire as deputy chief of our small local vol. fire dept. He
was 56 and had no prior history of health problems. There is no doubt
in my mind that emergency personnel, on the scene, did everything
they could to save him but it was not to be. Our family consists of
my son, his 2 sons and a grandaughter that was the light of his life.
I am very fortunate as his sons remain close. My son is currently
in the coast guard. I found GROWW in May of 99 and the support here
was unbelievable. It is here that I have learned to laugh again and
my hope is that I can make this path we must travel a little less
difficult for others.
GROWW Message
Board Manager, Host for GROWW for Widowed, Host for Grief Recovery
I lost my wife Nancy of 20 years to internal bleeding brought on by
radiation treatment for Hodgkin's Disease 20 years before. She departed
this world on Dec. 9, 1999. We had 20 years of glorious life with
each other, raising 2 daughters 26 and 19. She was also a minister
(Deacon) in our church, working as a children's minister and parish
administrator. I discovered GROWW shortly after her passing, and the
loving support of everyone here has helped me through a lot of long
crying and trying times. I can only hope that I can contribute some
of love and understanding back, by being a host.
Milan, Tennessee. I lost the love of my life, my wife of 25 years,
Carol, on
April 20, 2000 without warning to respiratory failure. She was 50
years old.
She passed away at home in bed while my daughter and I were at work.
Angela came home and found her, went screaming out of the house,
our neighbor heard her, called 911, and then notified me at work.
Needless to say, I was stunned.
My life had changed suddenly, and now I was alone. The next six
months I didn't want anything to do with anybody; I just wanted
to be left alone with my thoughts. As the holidays approached in
November of 2000, I went on line in search of some help in dealing
with what I was feeling, that is when I found GROWW. It has been
a lifesaver for me. From the first day I went into the widowed chat
room, I felt an understanding that no one here could give me, because
they had not experienced the death of a loved one, while the people
in GROWW had experienced the same thing I had. We had a common bond.
I have been here ever since, trying to give back what was given
to me.
As my grief recovery lengthened, I became involved with a very caring
ladyfriend, and I have since remarried. I consider myself to be
an extremely lucky man, for I now have had two wonderful women in
my life. I will never forget Carol, she was my first love, and I
cherish the memories we had together. I have a website in
honor of Carol that all are welcome to visit; it is a memorial to
a very special lady in my life.
I
am proud to have been nominated as a host for GROWW. I only hope
that as a host I can give back that understanding and compassion
that all new people in grief need.
Host for Grief Recovery, Host for GROWW for Widowed
GRHostHope
I
live in Ontario Canada. I lost my husband and soulmate on June 14,
2006 in a car accident. He was 36yrs. He left to attend a two day
convention and never returned. We had no way of knowing when we
said goodbye that morning, it would be for the last time. We had
been
married just shy of 8 years. Chris had a passion for life and he
shared
that with me each day.
I
found Groww mid summer after losing my younger sister to cancer
on July 4, 2008. Angie was 34yrs. Words can't describe the feeling
of
watching her suffer and not being able to help her win her battle.
We
were sisters & friends.
With
the support from many, including my online friends here, I am
rebuilding my life and have come to realize that life can be good
again
– it’s different - but good. I want to show the same
compassion and
understanding with others beginning this journey and to let them
know they are not alone on this path.
Host for GROWW for Kindred, Host for Grief Recovery
GRHostThomps
In
Sept. ‘06 my wonderful father suffered a cardiac arrest and
was placed on life
support. A few days later my world crashed around me as I signed
the paperwork to
take him off and allow him to pass. Several weeks later more grief
was added to
the intense pain that had engulfed me when one of my baby great
nieces passed from SIDS.
I
stumbled into GROWW hurt, beaten down and in the darkest moment
of my life.
Oh what joy to be surrounded in love, by those who truly understood
the words that
my shattered heart struggled to find, who understood even my unspoken
words.
Since
that time I first found GROWW I have lost several others whose deaths
have
ripped at my heart strings. But I have learned that GROWW is a place
to heal, to
once again find the positive and beauty in life and most important
to reach out and
help others who are new on the path of grief.
It
is an honor for me to host, one that I do not take lightly. It is
my desire to give
back what was given to me in my darkest hours……HOPE
Host
for GROWW for Grief Recovery,Faith
and Guiding Angels.
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