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Bereavement

I miss the woman my daughter was before she lost her husband

(11 Posts)
Pleasebenice Fri 26-Jun-26 13:12:39

This is not something I am comfortable sharing with people but I really miss the bright, happy young woman my daughter was before her beloved husband died. It feels selfish to feel like this as I still have my child but it is so painful to watch her navigate the new world she inhabits and I imagine that she will continue to change but I miss her sparkle.
Has anyone else dealt with this?

MawsRosie Fri 26-Jun-26 13:30:10

If you miss the “bright, happy young woman” your daughter was, how do you think she feels?
I could understand if you were grieving twice over, once for the young man whose life was cut short and once more on your daughter’s behalf.
But your reaction does sound very selfish.
I don’t wish to sound unkind - but it’s not all about you.
Try to put yourself in her place instead of wishing for a time before this sadness.

Sago Fri 26-Jun-26 13:42:19

I’m sure she misses her old self too.

petra Fri 26-Jun-26 13:47:14

Inappropriate user name considering the content of the post.

Oreo Fri 26-Jun-26 13:56:12

I can understand that. I could mourn the change in character of a DD I loved in those circumstances too.Yes it may be selfish but we’re all human too.
In time your DD will recover some sparkle but if she really loved your SIL this is going to take a long time.
All you can do is be patient and be there for her.

foxie48 Fri 26-Jun-26 14:00:42

It's very difficult to watch our children in pain and feel helpless because we can't do or say anything to make them feel better. I don't think it's selfish tbh I think it's natural. One of my children went through an extremely difficult break up which coincided with a very stressful period in her work life. I saw the light go out of her and she was just so sad and shut down that I wondered if she'd ever come out of it. She struggled on but eventually got some counselling which really did help her to come to terms with what had happened to her. She also made some positive changes in her work/life balance and I'm pleased to say that five years down the line, she's in a really good place and is back to being the happy, outgoing person she used to be.
Don't lose heart, bereavement takes it's own course, your daughter is still there but ATM she's struggling to come to terms with her new reality and that will be very hard for her. I coped by talking to friends about my worries for her, whereas with my daughter, I tried to be a good listener. I think sometimes as parents we want to find solutions for our children, wave our magic wand and kiss things better but sometimes we don't have the means to take away their pain and that can feel very tough but our solid, stable presence can be a rock for them when everything else around them has been shaken to the core. I send my best wishes to you.

Judy54 Fri 26-Jun-26 14:04:26

Just walk with her and hold her hand one day in the not to distant future she will get her sparkle back.

Smileless2012 Fri 26-Jun-26 14:08:31

Not an inappropriate user name at all petra.

I've nothing to add to the responses from Oreo and foxie which I hope you'll take on board and I'm sorry for your D's loss flowers.

Magenta8 Fri 26-Jun-26 14:11:17

I get it. As a mother you are empathising strongly and you are feeling a great deal of the hurt that your daughter feels. You are hurting because she is hurting so much and you long for her to be able to find some sort of happiness again. I don't think this is selfish.

I am sure that you are grieving for the man who made your DD happy as well.

Mystyeyes11 Fri 26-Jun-26 14:35:03

The loss of mt DH 20 weeks ago has changed me im not the same person members of my family keep pointing it out to me im at a loss i canr wioe out 57 years in 20 weeks and how i was before ot happened i am totally heartbroken and lack interest in anything eating, sleeping and genwral stuff i miss him immenselly slowly given up on life , death can and does change you. Take care everyone xxx

AGAA4 Fri 26-Jun-26 14:35:11

Completely natural to want your daughter to be happy. If your child is unhappy you are too. She is grieving and very few sparkle at this sad time.
Just help her as much as you can. She will be happy again but it takes time.