I didn’t blog or journal this past week. I spent five days with my friend Julie in Charleston. I had fun and enjoyed seeing new things. Of course you can’t beat time on the beach.

I will definitely be journaling and blogging going forward. As I start my second year without Richard, I still have much healing to do.

I was thinking I had all of the firsts out of the way but I don’t. Last night I went to a chili cook off that Richard and I have attended together for years. In years past we would talk about the chili that we would make and collaborate on making it. He would always be the official taste tester and cheerleader when it came to preparing for the cook off. I prepared my chili and went alone this year. These traditions are bittersweet when facing them solo.

It has also been harder than usual seeing everyone with their person. Even if not with them, they check in by texts and phone calls. This makes me miss him even more. For all of these reasons, today had been harder than usual.

I will intentionally continue to work through my grief by giving myself permission to mourn.

I welcome you to continue read my blog if you choose to. Please feel free to share my blog with friends who are working through their grief. I welcome your comments and feedback.