Date: April 9th 2006

THE LOST MY PARTNER NEWSLETTER

VOL. II, Issue 2 February, 2005

Brought to you monthly by Laurie Spector & Ruth Spector Webster, authors of Lost My Partner ­ What’ll I Do?; A Clear, Practical Guide For Coping and Finding Strength When Your Spouse Dies

Hello and welcome to our newsletter! We know how losing a spouse can turn your whole world upside down. It can also make concentrating on anything, even an online newsletter really difficult. Just as we’ve done with our bereavement book, Lost My Partner ­ What’ll I Do?, we specially designed this newsletter to make getting valuable professional advice “user-friendly”. Each month we offer comfort, reassurance and practical strategies as well as useful tips from our readers.

We want to make this newsletter on ongoing source of support you can turn to any time, so please let us know how we can make it more relevant for you. We welcome any suggestions or ideas that you’d like to share with us.

Let us hear from you at: contact@lostmypartner.com

Thanks for joining us.

Warmest Wishes,

Ruth and Laurie

MONTHLY FEATURE

HOW TO BEAT THE VALENTINE’S BLUES

It’s all around you. Painful reminders that you don’t have that “someone special” to with whom to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Although your spouse isn’t here to share the day, try to expand your definition of “love”. Embrace all the other relationships in your life where you give and receive affection such as family members and good friends. Use the holiday to show your appreciation in some of following ways:

1. Schedule lunch or dinner with a good friend.
2. Remember when you were a kid and gave valentines to friends and classmates? Revive this custom with family and friends.
3. Show yourself some appreciation. On a valentine, list at least two things you’ve achieved since your spouse’s death that you used to think weren’t possible.
4. Treat yourself to some pampering (a manicure or massage), or buy yourself a “gift” (hobby items or clothes).

Remember that your marriage was just one of several caring relationships in your life. This year, start a new tradition by celebrating all of them.

YOUR QUESTIONS

“My husband passed away four months ago. The recently widowed husband of an old friend just called and hinted about getting together for dinner. He hinted that he was interested in me romantically. Dating anybody is the farthest thing from my mind right now but I would like to see him again just as “friends”. How do I tell him without hurting his

feelings?” Harriet N.

It’s best to be direct. Tell him that while you’d love to catch up on old times, you aren’t ready to start dating. If you think you might be interested down the road, add, “right now”.

GETTING THROUGH THE DAYS; Our Readers’ Tips

“Whenever I feel low, I get out around other people. Sometimes it’s just a walk around the neighborhood where I can see familiar faces, or sitting in my favorite local coffee shop, where they all know me.” Ed R.

Discovered a coping strategy that works for you? Share it with others in future newsletters. Email us at: contact@lostmypartner.com

If you enjoy this newsletter, please tell your friends and/or colleagues about it.

If you’re interested in obtaining a copy/copies of the book, Lost My Partner ­ What’ll I Do?, telephone toll free at 1-877-727-3814 or visit our website: www.lostmypartner.com

(Copyright 2005 by Laurie J. Spector, M.S.W. and Ruth Spector Webster, M.S.W. All rights and all media reserved.)