Some advice that I found helpful

One hears a lot of platitudes when folk offer their condolences, but not many of them are helpful at the time. It is true that time heals and that he didn’t have a long suffering, but at the time your heart is broken and you wonder how you will get through the day. I have compiled a list of some of the advice that I found most useful. They are in no particular order because what helps at one time will maybe not help at another.

• take it one day at a time, one step at a time (don’t think too far ahead)
• keep busy (clean the house, work in the garden)
• don’t turn down invitations (you might not be asked a second time)
• be kind to yourself (you are hurting and must take time to heal)
• laugh (watch comedy shows if necessary)
• cry (keep a box of tissues in every room)
• take exercise (preferably outdoors and with a dog for company)
• be thankful (think about all you gained by your partnership)
• write down your thoughts (you can pour out your heart to your journal)
• evoke happy memories (sort through old photos, talk about your loved ones)