THE LOST MY PARTNER NEWSLETTER  

 

VOL. V, Issue 7   September, 2008

 

 

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

 

 

www.lostmypartner.com

newsletter@lostmypartner.com

contact@lostmypartner.com

 

 

Hello and welcome to our newsletter!

 

Our long-awaited new edition of Lost My Partner-What’ll I Do? Enlarged and Revised Edition is now available. To order quickly online, visit us at www.lostmypartner.com and discover the valuable new chapters and updates we’ve added to our bereavement guide.

 

Our monthly newsletters will continue to provide you with comfort, reassurance, practical strategies and useful tips.

 

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

 

 

 

 

**************************************************

It’s Here!

 

The new Lost My Partner; Revised & Enlarged Edition

 

Visit www.lostmypartner.com to learn more and order now.

 

**************************************************

 

 

MONTHLY FEATURE

 

 

EXPLORE THE NEW WORLD OF SINGLE FRIENDS

 

While you and your late spouse may have enjoyed friendships with other couples, the situation usually changes once you are widowed. Making the shift from being part of a couple to being single can be difficult. While you may choose to continue with the comfort of couple friends, you’ll probably find some of these relationships fading away.

 

Although you may be initially uneasy with the idea of making new friends who are single, consider the following:

 

a.    Contact single friends you already know and get together for coffee, a movie or other activity.

b.    Consider joining a group that reflects your interests or hobbies. Check with your place of worship, local Chamber of Commerce or neighborhood hobby supply stores for groups or clubs in your area. In addition to offering opportunities for potential friendships, groups can help you feel less isolated.

c.     Unlike couples, who are constrained by the needs and schedule of a partner, single friends are often available and eager to join you in activities.

d.    Depending on your age, you’ll probably find you have more in common with others who have gone through the experience of being widowed.

 

Give yourself time. Finding new friends with similar interests can create lasting and supportive friendships.

 

 

YOUR QUESTIONS

 

 

“I recently joined a widowed group at my church. I’ve noticed that some of the people seem more interested in dating each other than in talking about their loss. This makes me really uncomfortable. My husband passed just 6 months ago and I have no intention of dating now, but this group doesn’t seem interested in talking about what matters to me and the kinds of things I’m going through. I’m thinking about quitting.”    Janet R.

 

Although some widowed groups encourage dating among members, be careful. It’s important to take time to grieve the loss of an old attachment before becoming involved with a new relationship. Rushing into dating too soon almost always backfires, causing problems for a new relationship (for more about this, read the chapter “Am I Really Ready for This?”, in Lost My Partner – What’ll I Do?). If possible, shop around for another group or try online widowed support groups.

 

 

 

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.

 

Receive a 25% discount when you buy the original, Lost My Partner – What’ll I Do? from our website: www.lostmypartner.com.

 

Telephone toll free at 1-877-727-3814.

 

 

(Copyright 2008 by Laurie J. Spector, M.S.W. and Ruth Spector Webster, M.S.W. All rights and all media reserved.)