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Bereavement

Widowed at 52

(56 Posts)
Saetana Fri 31-Dec-21 19:47:46

Sadly my husband of 32 years died suddenly at our home on Christmas Day aged 56 - he had a number of health issues but there was no indication he was going to die so soon. I'm honestly worried about how I'm coping with it - apart from a few crying bouts (mainly when I read condolences, think about being a relatively young widow, or posting that he had died) its like nothing has happened. I'm really worried its going to hit me like a ton of bricks at some stage - I seem to be coping a bit too well if you know what I mean, albeit with the help of alcohol (not loads, just enough to keep functioning). Is this normal?

Hetty58 Sun 02-Jan-22 08:03:49

Saetana, so sad - and such a shock for you. Please don't concern yourself about how 'well' you're doing, will you?. You are free to grieve in your own way and to take as long as you want as well.

I was widowed at 42, but he lived for three years after he'd been given 'about a year' so it wasn't unexpected. He was 51.

It wasn't helpful (quite the opposite) to be told 'It hasn't hit you yet', conversely 'You're doing very well', - and even 'Why aren't you at home?' by people who, obviously, didn't have a clue what to say, so blurted out anything!

There is some kind of 'buffer', a numbness or cushioning, that allows us to function well for a while. (I was trapped in a thick glass bubble, sheltered from real life.) For me, though, it wasn't followed by a drastic change, just a gradual dawning into true grief.

There was no dreaded day when I suddenly couldn't cope, broke down, cried in public - or 'it' hit me. (I just felt invisibly, yet terribly wounded.) I could really have done without the predictions of it, though, the expectations, from others, about how my grief would or should be.

We get through it in our own, individual way. I was angry, hopping mad in fact, for ages. How dare he get sick and die, leaving me with four children to look after? That anger helped a lot.

Saetana Sun 02-Jan-22 08:52:40

Thanks everyone - I think its the unexpected nature of his death that is making me feel unusually composed. I always knew he would die before me, being a few years older and having multiple health issues, but this was right out of the blue. It was quick and painless however, which is giving me and his family some comfort. Next week I need to start dealing with the administrative stuff - think I will need a stiff drink for that.

Saetana Sun 02-Jan-22 08:56:50

H1954 We don't have any children, by choice. I am getting support from my parents and sister in Lancashire by phone and my husband's family in Kent - we don't have any relatives close by but friends have been popping in. Sometimes its easier to be alone but I always have people at the other end of the phone I can talk to if I need to.

harrigran Mon 03-Jan-22 00:26:12

I am sorry for your loss. I know how you feel, having lost my husband in October. The first two weeks I was numb with grief and then felt as though someone was breaking me into pieces with a hammer and chisel.
I was unable to do any of the legal requirements like informing the authorities and relied on my DD and SIL to do the admin.
Take one day at a time and allow others to support you.

Saetana Tue 04-Jan-22 19:46:00

harrigran My sincere condolences to you for the loss of your husband - we never want to think the dreadful day will arrive and the pain is indescribable when it happens flowers