topic Re: Hard Time in Grief & Loss

Hard Time

WalkingWoman — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 12:20:17 GMT

Husband, Jim, died in July. He was here at home and was able to be at home until his death. I was the sole caregiver and was the one who provided meds and care. Right now I'm having memories of his dying time, which was two days of difficult breathing, heart rate changes, and deepening coma. He did not have any pain, but his dying time was not peaceful. He was not in pain, but I was.

And while I can talk about him and our time together, 45 years, I really need to talk about his dying time, and the time after his death, when I wrote the obituary, made cremation arrangements and drove myself to pick up the ashes. There is no one who wants to hear that story. And I need someone to hear, and I need to tell it. He did have 3 adult children, but they "wanted to give me space" and did not contact me.

I feel like I am just going down that spiral, and not sure what will happen.

Re: Hard Time

clh28 — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 12:28:31 GMT

Good morning, just joined AARP & your letter was the 1st I read. My husband, Dick. died in September. We are basically in the same state of grief. No one knows what it’s like unless part of your heart has been broken. I am here if you would like to chat.

Cindy

Re: Hard Time

SereneSeagull — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 15:31:37 GMT

WalkingWoman,
My thoughts during the holidays are doing the same with loved ones who have passed, one last year and another several years ago

. The weeks and months after death are filled with making arrangements, speaking with friends and relatives, and paperwork up-the-butt. The grieving process has to take a back seat it seemed for me, as the trappings of the aftermath engulfed me.

As Thanksgiving approached this year, I found myself remembering the moments in the hospital or at home, for both. As you have said, the dying time, and what you see and are feeling during that time. I’ve heard others speak of how beautiful it was for them to witness , and that family was with them as they passed. I’m not really buying that for what I experienced. The dying time and the breathing and pain issues were heart wrenching to see and hear. There was no ethereal glow.

You are correct, expressing it. Nobody seemingly wants that out there, probably because they may not know what to say to us when they hear it, but I agree that part of grieving, at least for me is important to express.

It’s exceedingly hard to not only go through that, but also deal with the necessary things that have to get done. And then it hits you. Or it hit me.

Picking up the ashes, we arrived early and the place was in the midst of matching up the number to my loved one. I didn’t want to see the ashes, but there it was, as I saw the bag being placed in the urn.

The dying time, the duties of taking care of the arrangements, the paperwork, the service. Then Boom. Silence. I agree with you, talking about it can help. Even in the graphic parts. That’s part of my process.

I hope you can express it, be it here or with someone. Sitting down and openly saying to them,

“I need to get this out about their death, and everything that I experienced, can you sit and hear this, with me?” , might be the way to try and do it. Mentioning how important it is to express this.

I would like to express that I get that feeling and very much identify with it.

Thank you for writing.

Re: Hard Time

SereneSeagull — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 14:46:07 GMT

Hi Cindy Sorry for your loss as well. I just read your response this morning. It’s good to be able to express these feelings.

Re: Hard Time

LisaS961881 — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 18:45:25 GMT

Walking Woman,

Everything that you wrote seemed achingly familiar to me. I am so appreciative that you shared this!

In my experience, I sometimes felt as if well-meaning family and friends were trying to have me compartmentalize or sanitize my feelings of grief. As Serene Seagull wrote - nobody really wants our stark, sometimes messy realities “out there” because they won’t be alleviated by the usual truisms or platitudes.

Please share your narrative with someone - a friend, the adult children, a local group, or with us.

I hear you. I understand.

Re: Hard Time

mc6844 — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:10:48 GMT

Walking Woman I'm so sorry for your loss. I understand your experience and need to process that hard time. This forum is a good place to post your feelings and thoughts of that difficult time. You are also helping others who are in the same process. Something you express will be something that didn't occur to them to say. Plus it's so hard to see a loved one in distress especially after so many years together. But fortunate you were strong to be there for him. I'm certain he found much strength and peace in your presence. Please stop by often and share where you are and how you are doing. Each time, you'll feel a little better and not carrying everything yourself. Take care!

Re: Hard Time

mc6844 — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:15:20 GMT

I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband. The holidays are a trying time for sure. Please take care!

Re: Hard Time

SummerOnTheWay1 — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:30:36 GMT

Dear MC @mc6844 , thank you SO MUCH for supporting OUR @WalkingWoman !!!

I was hoping you would stop by my friend. It has been a VERY ROUGH journey for OUR TEAM, but we have each other ALWAYS.

Luv,

Nicole 🤗🤗🤗 (Grief Forum)

➡️[*** MC

@mc6844 wrote:
Walking Woman I'm so sorry for your loss. I understand your experience and need to process that hard time. This forum is a good place to post your feelings and thoughts of that difficult time. You are also helping others who are in the same process. Something you express will be something that didn't occur to them to say. Plus it's so hard to see a loved one in distress especially after so many years together. But fortunate you were strong to be there for him. I'm certain he found much strength and peace in your presence. Please stop by often and share where you are and how you are doing. Each time, you'll feel a little better and not carrying everything yourself. Take care!

Re: Hard Time

mc6844 — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:28:33 GMT

Thank you Nicole. You are all definitely in my thoughts and prayers especially this time of year. Grief and loss compounded with age issues, household and car maintenance is no fun. Maintaining one's own health is priority in order to get through everything else. It's hard for me to line up some household help. But after aggravating a back injury while cleaning, I really have no choice. Lol It's the logistics of making appointments, waiting etc that I'm not great with. But we have to try before getting overwhelmed. I haven't gotten cleaning help since I was a young woman with babies. Even then, not consistent since I could get it done faster, and for free. Lol

I'm sorry for all going through rough times here. The process of life and it's events. Not always fun but necessary to get to the next stage of healing and moving forward in the way we can.

I had a wise and wonderful friend who said we always have to plan for our lives, no matter our age or circumstances. Imagining new beginnings can be fun. I prefer that over dwelling on conflict and chaos. But we go through these stages too, necessary I believe, to move on.

I hope everyone finds a way to care for yourselves to make your lives a little easier. Try the easier way.

Re: Hard Time

mc6844 — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:31:46 GMT

Serene Seagull I'm so sorry for your loss and the pain you're going through.

Re: Hard Time

SummerOnTheWay1 — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:33:30 GMT

Dear MC @mc6844 , so sorry to hear about your back dear friend. 😥

Yes, as we AGE, stuff happens which ADD to our stress from grieving.

I have "finally" learn't to distance myself from TOXIC people in my "real" life and here "online".

I am BELIEVING for "peace of mind" for all of us in 2026.

Luv,

Nicole 🤗🤗🤗 (Grief Forum)

➡️[*** MC

@mc6844 wrote:
Thank you Nicole. You are all definitely in my thoughts and prayers especially this time of year. Grief and loss compounded with age issues, household and car maintenance is no fun. Maintaining one's own health is priority in order to get through everything else. It's hard for me to line up some household help. But after aggravating a back injury while cleaning, I really have no choice. Lol It's the logistics of making appointments, waiting etc that I'm not great with. But we have to try before getting overwhelmed. I haven't gotten cleaning help since I was a young woman with babies. Even then, not consistent since I could get it done faster, and for free. Lol

I'm sorry for all going through rough times here. The process of life and it's events. Not always fun but necessary to get to the next stage of healing and moving forward in the way we can.

I had a wise and wonderful friend who said we always have to plan for our lives, no matter our age or circumstances. Imagining new beginnings can be fun. I prefer that over dwelling on conflict and chaos. But we go through these stages too, necessary I believe, to move on.
I hope everyone finds a way to care for yourselves to make your lives a little easier. Try the easier way.

Re: Hard Time

mc6844 — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:21:50 GMT

Thank you Nicole! The good news is my back is good now. Just got to be careful which way I bend. Lol. Because I'm not like the willow tree swaying gently in the wind. I'm trying to stay where I am for now and live each day at a time. I think of everyone on the forum processing their grief while maintaining their lives. Good job everyone! I'm so glad you found the forum and share your grief and lives, it helps others so much. You will feel better each time you share a bit of where you are in your story.

Re: Hard Time

mc6844 — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:41:45 GMT

I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear husband Jim. It is very hard to see the suffering. And holding the box of ashes in your hands. I'm sorry you had to drive yourself to get his ashes. That must have been very hard. Plus the many months and sometimes years of caregiving which takes drastic toll on our health. It made me feel better to check in with the doctor and dentist. I had put off dental work for a long time. It's also reassuring to know if I'm dealing with physical things. I think also we grieve not only for our loved ones, but for that part of our lives spent with them. I like to think of those times as not gone, but somewhere else and accessible in all our different ways.

When I'm having a difficult time with memories of the suffering I allow myself just so much time to think of it each day and let it pass through me. At first it could be almost an hour, then a half hour, or minutes. Whatever time is needed each day. It's kind of like when firefighters set a burn around a fire to burn itself out. It's also helpful to try a certified grief counselor. The family is not always a good choice to turn to if they're not getting grief care for themselves. Care for yourself as much as you did for your husband.

Re: Hard Time

aidenwalker — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 07:11:45 GMT

I’m so deeply sorry. 💔 What you witnessed and carried in those final days was heavy, and it makes sense that those memories are replaying. You went through something intense and lonely. Your story, especially the hard parts, deserves to be heard. The dying time, the obituary, picking up his ashes… that matters. You matter. If you can, consider a grief counselor or bereavement group (many hospice programs offer them). You shouldn’t have to hold this alone. Please keep reaching out, you are not spiraling, you are grieving.

Re: Hard Time

SummerOnTheWay1 — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:52:25 GMT

[Thursday 4/30/26]

Dear @WalkingWoman , I am thinking about YOU.

How are you doing TODAY?

Luv,

Nicole 🤗🤗🤗 (Grief Forum)

Re: Hard Time

SummerOnTheWay1 — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:21:02 GMT

[Thursday 4/30/26]

Dear Cindy @clh28 , I am thinking about YOU.

How are you doing TODAY?

Luv,

Nicole ‌🤗‌‌🤗‌‌🤗‌ (Grief Forum)

‌‌‌➡️‌‌‌[*** CINDY@clh28 wrote:
Good morning, just joined AARP & your letter was the 1st I read. My husband, Dick. died in September. We are basically in the same state of grief. No one knows what it’s like unless part of your heart has been broken. I am here if you would like to chat.

Cindy