Death of a Partner

Grief & Ice Cream

When my wife of 18 years died in 2016, I became a single father missing the love of my life, and also had to learn how to raise two girls (13-17 at the time) on my own. I remember a conversation I had with my mother-in-law and oldest daughter that began as reminiscing over a person who became a lost love to all of us. We all talked about different aspects of my wife but shortly, it transformed into a “who meant more to her” fest.

Jean – Traditions and grief

Jean discusses belief systems and traditions

Mary S – My story (long)

Mary tells the story of her life with her husband, his death and then the loss of both of her parents

Mary S – The value of writing

Mary talks about how much writing has helped inlcuding writing what her partner would have said

Shannon – Hope for Healing

Shannon shares about losing her husband to suicide, her parents and her father-in-law. She felt broken and to be able to take care of her kids and her self seemed overwhelming. It took someone telling her that you can heal from trauma to give her hope for healing.

Jean – Coping

Jean shares how coping can be complicated

Kara – “Getting rid of stuff”

Kara talks about stuff, guilt and memories. Kara continues to grieve the death of her partner.

Karyn and Aidan – Support.

Karyn and Aidan discuss how much the support they received helped

John – Support over time

John discusses how support changes over time

Kara – “Getting over the dying part”

Kara describes the process of moving past the traumatic memory of her partner’s death to reflect on the beautiful moments of their thirty years together.

Andrea – Grieving during a pandemic

Andrea discusses the challenges of grieving during a pandemic

Karyn and Aidan – Humour

Karyn and Aidan talk about how they use humour as a connection and a coping tool