For 2019 I'm running a year-long series on my blog in which I share my responses to the writing assignment prompts found in
THE BUTTERLY HOURS by Patty Dann. Hooray, we are coming to the close, which means I have written nearly 180 entries in this project -- proof that "little by little" is how to do this whole writing thing. :)
I welcome you to join me, if you like! I've divided the prompts by month, and the plan is to respond to 3 (or so) a week. For some of these I may write poems, for others prose. The important thing is to mine my memory. Who knows where this exploration will lead?
For links to the prompts I've written on so far this year, please click on The Butterfly Hours tab above.
This (final!) month's prompts are train, trophy, typewriter, umbrella, Vietnam, war, washing machine, widow, window.
-->
WIDOW
My
experience with widows has been as an adult. The one who provided the
first and biggest impact on me was my mother-in-law. When her husband
died suddenly at age 59, she was thrust into the widow role instantly
and completely. She lived another 25 years, alone, and it seemed to
suit her. She loved Dan, and missed him, but she also loved being on
her own, making choices just for herself, not having to answer to or
consider anyone else. I get it! So she was the first person to show
me that even after a spouse dies, life carries on. One can experience
a joyful, fulfilling life, even without a partner. These days I meet
regularly with a group in which all are widows – except me. In this
group I have discovered how differently different people handle
widowhood. Regardless of how they experience it, the overwhelming reality is that life goes on, and it can be whatever you want it to be –
which is a lesson for all of us, at any time in our lives. I'm
grateful to these women for sharing their (rich, full, tender, funny,
sometimes-dating) lives with me!
I welcome you to join me, if you like! I've divided the prompts by month, and the plan is to respond to 3 (or so) a week. For some of these I may write poems, for others prose. The important thing is to mine my memory. Who knows where this exploration will lead?
I helped my mom face widowhood. She had never even balanced the checkbook. I was glad to be around a bit after my dad died. It's reassuring to see other women (like your group of friends) face a transition that many of us may face at some point in the future.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to and photograph of your mother-in-law. My dear friend Julie became a widow many years ago, and I wrote this about her - https://news.wbfo.org/post/commentary-learning-lessons-love-and-strength
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this journey through THE BUTTERFLY HOURS. I own it based on your recommendation and look forward to finding a way through it too.
xxxx,
a.