Hope for Widows Foundation

04/23/2025

“Barrie used to get perturbed when I said that. He said in his experience when someone close to him said, “I’ve been thinking.”, it would either cost him money or mean trouble. I was/am always saying, “I’ve been thinking.” It did and does mean that I have a change or challenge of sorts in mind.
I have been thinking a lot lately, not just about us and our times together, but where I’m going from here. I’ve been thinking of the responsibilities I have, those I want to get rid of and those I never want to have again. This has led me to a point of inflection: do I stay where I am or do I make my move.
A close friend of mine dreamt about Barrie the other day. He told her to tell me that he was ok, that he didn’t want to leave me, but he had to go because he was in pain. He told her to tell me that he loved me, to make that decision, but make a decision that will allow me to live and laugh and be happy. He said life was too short and that we would meet again. Her dream was so precise. She said I was at my computer and Barrie was sat in his favourite spot on the couch and that he was looking over me…”

HforW Community Blogger and Hope Sister, Carmen Medina, writes her latest blog here: https://hopeforwidows.org/2025/04/ive-been-thinking/

Barrie used to get perturbed when I said that. He said in his experience when someone close to him said, “I’ve been thinking.”, it would either cost him money or mean trouble. I was/am always saying, “I’ve been thinking.” It …

04/22/2025

Hope sisters are continuing to create their Widows of Hope 5K social media frames! Please find the template in the comments below to create your own! (Can use Pixlr or Canva) or If you need us to create/need help send us a direct messsge to Hope Connect or Hope for Widows Foundation.

💜🩵Hope you can join us!
Go here for details , FAQ’a and to sign-up: https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=141111

💜🩵Link in Bio

04/22/2025

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04/21/2025

💜🤍💜🤍
Join our Annual 5K Widow Virtual Walk—a heartfelt journey honoring those we’ve lost and walking forward together in healing, hope, and community.
💜🤍💜
Whether you’re walking in memory, in solidarity, or for your own healing, every step matters.
💜🤍💜
When: May 9th-11th 2025
Where: Anywhere—it’s virtual!
How: Walk 5K your way—at the park, on a treadmill, or around your neighborhood.
💜🤍💜
Tag us in your walk photos using
💜🤍
Let’s show the world that even in grief, we are not walking alone.
💜🤍💜
Register today: http://getmeregistered.com/WidowsofHope5K

Together, we walk. Together, we rise.
💜🤍💜

04/21/2025

“I remember that day in much more detail than I wish I could.

Many folks who’ve gone through the same or similar traumas have often mentioned that they don’t remember much about it; sadly, I remember way too much.

I wanted to just pass out and disconnect from the world for a moment, but I couldn’t. All I could do was sit there, too stunned to even let go and cry in the way I wished I could, and be hyper-aware of everything that was going on.

As the days went on though, that is when things started getting a little more blurry.

I have many detailed memories of that time, but (thankfully) there are also full blocks of time that are just gone. Of the times I can recall, many of them are actually good memories. Friends came and went freely, dropping in to check on me and my daughter. Sometimes we’d even watch TV or funny movies together. (Certain TV programs actually helped a lot, like the episode of The Golden Girls where Blanche dreams that her beloved George is back, a dream that had been recurring for her and ended up bringing her a lot of comfort.)”

HforW Community Blogger and Hope Sister, Layla Beth Munk(The_Snarky_Widow, Instagram ,Twitter@laylabeth, laylabethmunk.medium.com
and her debut novella, 24 Hours in Vegas, is available on Amazon), writes her latest blog here: https://hopeforwidows.org/2025/04/the-early-days/)
Link in bio

04/21/2025

“I remember that day in much more detail than I wish I could.

Many folks who’ve gone through the same or similar traumas have often mentioned that they don’t remember much about it; sadly, I remember way too much.

I wanted to just pass out and disconnect from the world for a moment, but I couldn’t. All I could do was sit there, too stunned to even let go and cry in the way I wished I could, and be hyper-aware of everything that was going on.

As the days went on though, that is when things started getting a little more blurry.

I have many detailed memories of that time, but (thankfully) there are also full blocks of time that are just gone. Of the times I can recall, many of them are actually good memories. Friends came and went freely, dropping in to check on me and my daughter. Sometimes we’d even watch TV or funny movies together. (Certain TV programs actually helped a lot, like the episode of The Golden Girls where Blanche dreams that her beloved George is back, a dream that had been recurring for her and ended up bringing her a lot of comfort.)”

HforW Community Blogger and Hope Sister, Layla Beth Munk(The_Snarky_Widow, Instagram ,Twitter@laylabeth, laylabethmunk.medium.com
and her debut novella, 24 Hours in Vegas, is available on Amazon), writes her latest blog here: https://hopeforwidows.org/2025/04/the-early-days/)

I remember that day in much more detail than I wish I could. Many folks who’ve gone through the same or similar traumas have often mentioned that they don’t remember much about it; sadly, I remember way too much. I …

04/19/2025

HOPE in every step.....Say Their Name. Remember. Honor. 💜

💻 Register here, create a team, grab your pet, or go solo & check out FAQ's for all event details: http://getmeregistered.com/WidowsofHope5K

✨ Want to become a sponsor or know a business or individual who might want to support the cause? Learn more here: https://hopeforwidows.org/5k-sponsorship/

Let’s come together as a community to spread awareness, honor, uplift, and empower widows everywhere. 💜

04/18/2025

HOPE in every step.....Say Their Name. Remember. Honor. 💜

💻 Register here, create a team, grab your pet, or go solo & check out FAQ's for all event details: http://getmeregistered.com/WidowsofHope5K

✨ Want to become a sponsor or know a business or individual who might want to support the cause? Learn more here: https://hopeforwidows.org/5k-sponsorship/

Let’s come together as a community to spread awareness, honor, uplift, and empower widows everywhere. 💜

04/16/2025

Hope sisters are continuing to create their Widows of Hope 5K social media frames! Please find the template in the comments below to create your own! (Can use Pixlr or Canva) or If you need us to create/need help send us a direct messsge to Hope Connect or Hope for Widows Foundation.

Hope you can join us!
Go here for details , FAQ’a and to sign-up: https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=141111

04/15/2025

So true…

04/14/2025

Lace up with us for love and strength.
💜🤍💜🤍
Join our Annual 5K Widow Virtual Walk—a heartfelt journey honoring those we’ve lost and walking forward together in healing, hope, and community.
💜🤍💜
Whether you’re walking in memory, in solidarity, or for your own healing, every step matters.
💜🤍💜
When: May 9th-11th 2025
Where: Anywhere—it’s virtual!
How: Walk 5K your way—at the park, on a treadmill, or around your neighborhood.
💜🤍💜
Tag us in your walk photos using
💜🤍
Let’s show the world that even in grief, we are not walking alone.
💜🤍💜
Register today: https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=141111

Together, we walk. Together, we rise.
💜🤍💜

04/14/2025

“My husband died 14 years ago, and I still refer to myself as a widow.

To be honest, I had never thought much of it. I AM a widow. Yet when one of my online tutoring students asked, “Well, it has been so long. Should you still be saying you’re a widow? Aren’t you just single now?” It took me off guard. Has it been too long to still call myself a widow?


I felt angry at first, like my identity had been threatened. Then I felt curious – when does it stop being socially acceptable to call yourself a widow?

I told my student I would call myself a widow until I was lucky enough to find love again, but for me, that fell short as well. If one day I am fortunate enough to remarry it does not erase the loss of my dear husband of 16 years. It doesn’t erase the life we made together on a little cul-de-sac in Florida with our three beautiful girls. It doesn’t erase the late-night talks and the fights. It doesn’t erase the family game nights and daddy-daughter dances. It doesn’t erase the two-year battle to save his life and how hard he fought to stay with us…”

HforW Community Blogger and Hope Sister, Cindy Smith Schriver, writes her latest blog here: https://hopeforwidows.org/2025/04/does-widowhood-have-an-expiration-date/

"Well, it has been so long. Should you still be saying you're a widow? Aren't you just single now?” It took me off guard. Has it been too long to still call myself a widow?

04/14/2025

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04/12/2025

Even though the term “Adrenal Fatigue” isn’t a recognized medical term, I’ve known far too many people who are plagued by adrenal issues.

I am amongst those people.

While I have never had a concrete diagnosis, my medical care provider did once confirm that it was likely that I had some sort of adrenal insufficiency.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Adrenal fatigue isn’t an official medical diagnosis. It’s a general term used to describe a group of symptoms that aren’t specific. Examples of those symptoms include tiredness, weakness, sleep problems, and cravings for sugar and salt.” (And of course, there is much more to it than that.)

Losing my drive to do fun and exciting activities was yet another thing I had to grieve in addition to the loss of my spouse. I had once been a bit of an adrenaline ju**ie but following his death, I couldn’t see myself doing much more than sitting on the couch. And sitting on the couch for far too long is what I absolutely did.

HforW Community Blogger and Hope Sister,Layla Beth Munk(The_Snarky_Widow, Instagram ,Twitter@laylabeth, laylabethmunk.medium.com
and her debut novella, 24 Hours in Vegas, is available on Amazon), writes her latest blog here: https://hopeforwidows.org/2025/04/alive-again/

04/12/2025

I miss you 💜