The pain of being a widower.

I feel really sad for you.

I watched my DM literally dwindled before my eyes when my DF died.

She missed him every day of her life until she died 6.5 years later.

We did our best to “jolly her along” and helped out all we could, DD2 was an absolute angel, we both worked full time but she visited more than I did as she and my DM developed a real affinity for each other.

I’d go in 3 times a week, she covered the other 4. An absolute trooper!

However, for you all I can say is loneliness is awful and I hope you do have some family and friends who can meet with you and take away some of your pain for short periods.

Dependent on your overall health and particular situation, can you join Amy clubs, do some online classes, discover a new hobby?

I really do wish you well and hope you can find some joy

So sorry for your loss and for the grief and loneliness you are feeling. It must be so very hard for you.

If and when you can muster up the courage and energy- I'm another great fan of joining your local u3a. I have made some very good, local friends this way. There are interest groups you can join and periodic outings and activities you can dip in and out of as you choose.

Good luck 🍀

You need to go out and join something. I usually suggest U3A as there are so many groups there is bound to be something to interest you. Also how about a gym or exercise class? You are getting lots of suggestions. After two years you are over the worst. It is wonderful that you had such a happy marriage but now you need to make an effort to build a new life for yourself.

Rowan1963 My brother (77) is alone, since his wife died in May this year. She'd been in a care home for a couple of years (Alzheimer's). He's very lonely. His son died 2 years ago of Cancer. I suggested Men In Sheds to my brother, which he went to a few years ago. He now goes twice a week and enjoys the company and likes making things - bird houses, music boxes, etc. It's given him a purpose again.

Would something like that be of interest to you? There might be agroup in your area.

I'm sorry that you are feeling unhappy rowan1963. I second Greyduster post about activities that will bring regular contact with people. Life can be so very hard, but life is also very beautiful. I try to actively find something beautiful in each and every day and there's always something. I keep a journal of these things. At New Year I read the entire journal. Best wishes to you.

I agree, Grey. The hole is still there after “only” 4 years, one just gets more used to the presence. I still get ambushed by grief at the most unexpected times by the silliest things, but the episodes are shorter and less frequent with time.
It sounds callous, but 2 years isn’t long. I hope you try to meet people and do stuff to keep you part of the human race rather than staying in.
I carry “it is better to have loved (and been loved) and lost than to have never loved” around with me. My past life would have been so sterile.

I’m so sorry for your loss. This is a hard road that no-one wants to be on and I wish I could tell you that it gets easier. I would encourage you to explore what is going on in your local community and find something that will bring you into regular contact with other people - a walking group or somewhere where you can pursue an interest. Volunteer if you’re able. Libraries are a good source of information about local activities if you have one near you.

Grief never does go away completely but eventually you will learn to walk more comfortably side by side with it.

Oh, so sorry.

That's a place we'll all reach sooner or later, all who are lucky to be in a good relationship anyway. Either we'll go or they will.

I think you'll be happier if you try to re-vamp your life. Take up a new interest, join some kind of group, the possibilities are endless. To have more in your life, you have to go after it though. Best wishes.