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Contributor ⭐⭐
February 1, 2024

Husband dies alone

  • February 1, 2024
  • 82 replies
  • 49318 views

My husband of 45 years died alone with our border collie Sadie by his side on December 4th.  I was out of town to visit a grandson.  I FaceTime my husband the night before.  He wasn’t feeling good.  I convinced him to go to the doctor the next morning.  When I called the next morning he didn’t answer.  The neighbors went to check on him for me and found him passed.  It was totally unexpected.  Possibly an Aneurysm took him at 65 years old!  185lbs, physically fit and had dreams to many to list.  He had yet to collect his pensions.  

My two adult sons don’t want me home alone.  I’m not sure I believe he’s gone.  I feel guilty I wasn’t with him when he died and feel guilty I’m getting his pensions that he deserved to spend on his dreams.  Then add on the huge void in my life and my aching heart.  What more can I handle.  I’m so numb and sad. 

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    82 replies

    SummerOnTheWay1
    June 21, 2024

    📎  Hi Julie @JulieT507376 , how are YOU doing?

     

    Nicole  🤗🤗🤗

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    June 21, 2024

    We had Mark’s celebration of life several days ago.  Lots of people.  He was a quiet man but so many people loved him.  I know how much I loved him!  I didn’t realize how many other lives he touched.  I’m alone in my thoughts now.  Maybe to alone it makes me want to be with him so much.  I know that not possible. 

    SummerOnTheWay1
    June 21, 2024

    📎  Hi Julie @JulieT507376 SO GOOD to hear from you - thank you SO MUCH!!!  💃💃💃

     

    In my very humble opinion, he will ALWAYS be with you. Yes, you will FEEL his presence and he will use SPECIAL ways to let you know.

     

    Continue to move FORWARD when you can, ENJOY the folks who CARE about you and KNOW soon you will see him again.

     

    Luv you SO MUCH,

    Nicole  🤗🤗🤗

     


    [*** JULIE @JulieT507376 wrote:

    We had Mark’s celebration of life several days ago.  Lots of people.  He was a quiet man but so many people loved him.  I know how much I loved him!  I didn’t realize how many other lives he touched.  I’m alone in my thoughts now.  Maybe to alone it makes me want to be with him so much.  I know that not possible. ***]


    SummerOnTheWay1
    July 15, 2024

    📎  Hi Julie @JulieT507376  , I HOPE you have been able to find some support for YOUR journey. It is SO HARD when we lose folks we CARE about. Luv you my friend, Nicole  🤗🤗🤗

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    July 16, 2024

    On a vacation with a friend and another couple. First time since Mark has passed away. I can hardly stand to watch the couple with us hold hands and speak loving words to each other. My heart is dead inside. Why did he have to leave me? Watching the people on vacation around me walking hand in hand asking for pictures of them as couples. Where’s my other half. I feel so all alone. So sad!

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    July 17, 2024

    The tough part of grief is all the unexpected triggers that smack you in the head.  It is so tempting to cocoon in a safe place. But you ventured out! Good for you! I’m trying to get myself to the dog park where my husband and I spent many beautiful hours watching our dogs playing with all the other dogs and chatting with the other owners. I really want to go there. Maybe tomorrow. 

    SummerOnTheWay1
    July 20, 2024

    📎  A hug for dear Julie @JulieT507376  🤗🤗🤗

     

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    July 21, 2024

    Nicole, Thank you for the hug!  I’m on my way home from vacation.  One more stop tomorrow to pick Sadie up at my son’s house.  What a trip.  I’m not sure what I’ve accomplished from this trip.  The lady I traveled with lost her husband 5 years ago to a long term illness and is quite independent and is living her life to the fullest.   How can I tell myself I need to get over it and move on?  I’m so lonely and miss Mark so much.  I want to hold my breath until I meet up with him again.  For now all I want to do is go home and be close to Sadie and Mark. Tomorrow will be better. 

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    July 21, 2024

    @JulieT507376 @I know you do not know me from Adam, but your posts are so full of regrets and sorrows I just want to reach out to you and comfort you. Maybe hearing about some of my experiences could help. I hope what follows is helpful , but if not, please stop reading. 

    I also have suffered regrets. Both of my husbands died in the hospital. I had to make the final decision about whether to continue medical care for both of them. That too is a hard decision to make and still haunts me 20 years later for my first husband. The rational side of me knows I made the right call in both cases. I lean on that thought to help me live on. 

    I did have many conversations with my second husband as he was very ill. He even made sure I had his Advanced Directives to lean on. I can still see the smile he gave me when he understood that he was in hospice’s care. He knew I was following his desires.

     

    A couple years ago my mother was in the hospital after a heart attack. I spent a month by her side holding her hand. In the end she passed away when I took a much needed break from my vigil. Her nurse told me that she had seen many people wait for their loved ones to not be present when they finally allow themselves to pass. 

    One other thought I allow myself is that it is done now for all my loved ones. I can not do anything now to change any of it.

     

    But I will make sure I have advanced directives for who ever will be speaking for me when I can not speak for myself. And I hope I pass in my sleep peasfully in my own bed. But that is in Gods hands. 

    SummerOnTheWay1
    July 22, 2024

    📎  Good Morning my friend!!!

     

    HOPE you were able to sleep LAST NIGHT.

     

    I just fed Mr.  🐈,  my 6am ET wake up call or I would still be in bed and probably stay in it ALL DAY. Knowing he is OUTSIDE my door waiting, makes me get up as soon as my 2 alarms go off.

     

    MONDAYS are my Kroger Day to cash in any WINNING Scratch-Off Lottery tickets. I also REINVEST. I only do the $1 and $2 ones and just for a FUN and a reason to LEAVE my Studio Apt. My buddy David at their Customer Service counter is on vacation . Fellow OLD person.

     

    Any plans for TODAY?  🤔

     

    Luv you my friend,

    Nicole  🤗🤗🤗

     

    @JulieT507376 

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    July 22, 2024

    Good morning!  I’m with Sadie now!  She cuddled with me all night.  I think we missed each other terribly.  It’s really hot outside so I think we will stay inside and place a Safeway order to pickup curbside.  So happy to be home.  I loved the border collie hugging the shepherd.  Made me smile 😊 ❤️. Thank you for being a good friend!  Have a wonderful Monday!

    julie❤️

    SummerOnTheWay1
    September 30, 2024

    📎  Julie @JulieT507376 , I am here IF AND WHEN you need me dear friend!!!

     

    Luv,

    Nicole  🤗🤗🤗

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    September 30, 2024

    I just realize after several texts from family I may be home alone for Thanksgiving this year.  It will be my first Thanksgiving without Mark, my husband and my first ever being alone for a holiday.  I was never alone when I had him.  Why did he leave me?  I’m so heartbroken tonight.  It’s a couple months away so something might change.  So I should stop worrying.  But I still feel so sad and empty tonight. 

    SummerOnTheWay1
    October 1, 2024

    📎  Hi Julie @JulieT507376 , it is a little past 9am here in Cave Spring, Virginia. Wish it would stop raining = depressing. They say NO RAIN tomorrow - hope so!!!

     

    Do you have any plans TODAY?  🤔

     

    Lol, I so DONOT want to deal with Walmart TODAY and still in bed TRYING to "convince" myself to GET UP!!!  🙄🙄🙄

     

    Anyway dear friend, I am here for you.

     

    Luv,

    Nicole  🤗🤗🤗

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    October 1, 2024

    Busy weekend with my son and his family.  They brought their little Boston terriers to play with Sadie.  My 10 year old grandson was a joy to have around me!  My son and 25 year old grand son winterized some things for me.  Yesterday I drove a friend 2 hours to another town for cataract surgery.  It was a long day.  Today and tomorrow my sister visits and then I go to Montana and Arizona for 3 weeks.  Soooo I’m so busy I can’t think of anything thing but getting through the days.  I do have some great news.  My 25 year old grandson and his family will be spending Thanksgiving giving with me❤️.  This couple has a 7 month old baby.  My great grandson❤️.   So I think Mark is telling me to slow down but at the same time keeping me busy so I’m not so sad.  Thank you friend for caring about me!  I wish the weather would be warm and sunny for you☀️

    SummerOnTheWay1
    October 1, 2024

    📎  Julie @JulieT507376 , when are you leaving for Montana and Arizona?

     

    Family or vacation?

     

    Luv,

    Nicole  🤗🤗🤗

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    October 1, 2024

    I’m flying to Missoula this Friday to help a friend pack her house.  She just bought a new home in Missoula.  Then in three weeks I’m driving down to Arizona with her to her Tucson home.  She winters in warm weather.  So kinda a work vacation.  I fly home from Tucson. 

    SummerOnTheWay1
    October 2, 2024

    📎  Hi Julie @JulieT507376 , how are YOU TODAY?

     

    Is Sadie traveling with you or staying with one of your sons again?

     

    I am SO RELIEVED your family and friends SHOWED UP just when YOU NEEDED them!!!

     

    Lol, yes, I too had a MELTDOWN last night - gave up. Texted my daughter asking IF she could CALL me - scared of the "rejection" - but SHE CALLED!!!  🤗🤗🤗

     

    Poor Mr.  🐈  suffered last night as I just could NOT deal with him. Felt SO GUILTY.  😭😭😭  But he UNDERSTOOD as "furbabies" do and was NICE/lol = was NOT his usual self = testing my luv.  🤣😂

     

    Anyway, like YOU, I have HOPE again = WE are luved my friend.

     

    SUN IS OUT FINALLY!!!  💃💃💃

     

    Need to go fill up my gas tank. When it is 3/4 FULL, I "top off" in case there is a DETOUR (lots of road work,accidents) and during Winter helps to prevent gas freezing 

     

    Mr. sends his luv for his girl Sadie  🐕.

     

    Luv,

    Nicole  🤗🤗🤗

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    October 2, 2024

    I’m so glad your daughter was there for you last night. When things get bad they usually make time for us old ladies.  It’s just sad we have to be so alone.  But we have Sadie and Mr. Cat.  Thank goodness❤️.  Sadie is staying home with my grandson and his 3 month old puppy Asher.  I’m sure she will be exhausted by days end every day I’m gone.  I really worry about Sadie while I’m away from her.  Hope today is better for you❤️

    SummerOnTheWay1
    October 25, 2024

    📎  Julie @JulieT507376 , how are you doing?

     

    Luv,

    Nicole  🤗🤗🤗  (Grief Forum)

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    October 25, 2024

    Good morning!

     

    so happy to be home.  My friend bought a home just before I went.  So we ended up packing, cleaning and painting her old house.  It is now for sale!!  

    I worried about Sadie non stop.  I was overwhelmed with the sense that she wasn’t getting the attention she needed. She is the center of my life.  To other people she is just a dog.  The neighbor teenage girl moved in with her.  They did fine.  Sadie was ecstatic when I got home.  She hasn’t left my side in the last 24 hours.  

    How are you?  Ready for winter?  Low 20’s here.  Looking for much colder temps in the future.  

     

     

    SummerOnTheWay1
    October 26, 2024

    📎  Good Morning Julie @JulieT507376 !!!

     

    How are you today?

     

    I hope you slept last night.

     

    Luv,

    Nicole  🤗🤗🤗  (Grief Forum)

    Contributor ⭐⭐
    October 26, 2024

    Good Morning!  I slept well.  Rushing around getting ready for house guests from Canada.  They are coming to see the larch trees that have turned a beautiful golden color.  I’m glad I’m staying busy.  Mark’s birthday is next week.  Heavy on my mind.  My sister is coming the day after his birthday.  He would be 66 years old.  

    I hope your daughter figures things out.  It sounds like she has a good career to fall back on.  I know it would be nice to have her close to you. ❤️