I have been a widow for a little over a year now. In the midst of silence and profound pain, I have come to terms that in his short 39 years, my husband fulfilled his purpose here on Earth. I also recognize that I am still living and breathing and therefore, I still need to fulfill mine. 
As I navigate this untraveled road, I honor who I am every day of my life, as I have never been a single mother before, nor have I ever been a widow. Death has awakened many parts of me that were sleeping, and for that I am grateful. By way of my husbands death, he gave me life. I have an appreciation for the things I was oblivious to, but most importantly it has taught me compassion for myself. The grace to forgive myself for things I cannot change, and the wisdom to honor and respect who I am today is where I find my greatest inner peace.
Having an attitude of gratitude through grief, is a delicate and complicated dance; actually it’s more like a roller coaster ride. Through that unpredictable ride of life, we must remember that even with the lowest of lows, that the highest of high’s are yet to be experienced in our lifetime.
