When my husband passed away, I was overwhelmed with grief, with decisions that had to be made, and being alone. I had watched other individuals go through the transition to widowhood with such grace. I never saw the moments when they broke down. I never knew the struggles they experienced time and time again in that first year. Now here I was navigating through the same space and struggling hard.

I have journaled daily for a number of years. My journaling became my best friend as I was able to write down my thoughts and feelings and record steps I was taking and decisions I was making. At the end of the first year, I looked back and marveled at all that had happened, all that I had done.

The first year after losing the love of your life is probably one of the most difficult years you will ever experience. My son recommended that I write The Year After, so that maybe some of the things I learned can help another person. This book is a compilation of the thoughts, feelings, and challenges I experienced in that first year after my husband passed away. I pray there is a thought or idea that will help you navigate this challenging time. May God be with you and bless you.