What does it mean to be widowed.
To me it means absence, absence of the foot
that used to touch yours in bed.
The other day I watched a TV show and turned
toward the other in the room to comment.
But there was no other sitting there.
Most mornings, I get up thinking my husband
is already in the bathroom. He always got up
slightly before me.
And so it goes on. His absence is always with me.
But the man is not.
But most of all it means the absence of a voice
calling Sue, Sue, Sue like an echo.
August 10, 2021 at 3:44 pm
What a sad experience…And nothing can replace what was lost.
August 10, 2021 at 3:52 pm
The loss of Harry………..
Music – What can I say. This was the most important bond between us. Since I play my FM, which is tuned into jazz programming, there are many tunes that immediately bring me back to our times together. Sometimes, I light up. Sometimes, I’m so overcome with sadness that I either change the station or turn it off. “Our love is here to stay” – that was our song!
August 10, 2021 at 4:11 pm
Mom, I feel dad’s absence too in not hearing his voice – more than any other way. Having lived so far away, it was on the phone that we communicated most. And when I called, the first thing he always said was, “Michael – hi.” I can hear his voice now, thinking about it. Love and hugs to you.
August 10, 2021 at 4:33 pm
Thank you, Sue,
for for lovely piece.
also, it made Marius feel present,
all the way here, in Cuernavaca.
Much love, Gobi
August 10, 2021 at 5:51 pm
This piece is beautiful, Mamala,
Thank you for sharing it.
love,
Tobele
August 11, 2021 at 6:48 am
Well done. Really captures a feeling with concrete physicality.
August 11, 2021 at 8:57 am
Sue, I so sympathize with your sadness.
August 11, 2021 at 9:01 am
Hi Nancy – Bereavement takes on many forms……….it’s ongoing. Not sadness but reliving the good & the bad. Sometimes it takes on a physical feeling.
Doris
August 13, 2021 at 1:09 pm
I can actually hear his voice when you ended…Sue, Sue, Sue…
So beautifully written, Sue.
Happy to see you back writing…
XOXO
August 14, 2021 at 7:51 am
I miss him so..my Gary had such a powerful, beautiful voice…his absence is so painful. Thank you for this piece.
October 20, 2021 at 2:52 pm
Dear Maria,
I just read your response to the post on my blog. I had no idea you read it. But more important —
I assume that Gary was your husband. You are such a young widow. I am truly sorry. My heart is with you.I wish you the very best.
Where are you living? You can write me at suzmessing @ gmail. I check my email much more often than the blog mail.
August 15, 2021 at 8:15 am
Ton texte est très beau Suzanne.
Je t’embrasse
Nelly
August 17, 2021 at 9:58 pm
Mom,
I can sometimes hear dad’s voice saying my name over the telephone same as Michael. Telling me he hasn’t heard from me for a while. He’d like to hear from me.
I would like to hear from him again also.
Love,
Marc
August 20, 2021 at 4:31 pm
Sue – so beautiful -so lonely……
September 12, 2021 at 4:56 pm
Hi Suzanne. Thoughtful reflection from the heart. I think of Marius often especially when passing his art in our Vancouver hallway.
I’ll send the link to the family group. Much love. Ben
January 1, 2022 at 8:25 am
Suzanne — the foot that is not touching yours in bed — the voice that is not calling through the rooms. I think I wrote those last words once in a poem. I’ll try to find it and show it to you. Thanks for this precise and delicate reflection.
February 17, 2022 at 2:22 pm
I didn’t know you read my blog. thanks
February 17, 2022 at 2:37 pm
Sue – Your comments are universal. They reflect our feelings so perfectly
July 13, 2022 at 11:48 am
Hi Sue,
I think of Marius often. With the loss I’ve experienced in life, my mind still talks to the special ones I’ve lost over time. But my soul believes they are at peace. I hope the same for you.
XO
Kathy