Shattered!

Thirteen days ago, my world shattered. I lost the love of my life—unexpectedly, cruelly—to a heart attack. My husband, Eddie, was my inspiration, my safe place, the man who saw me completely, loved me wholly—warts and all. He never tried to be extraordinary, but that’s exactly what he was. He was cherished, respected, adored, simply by being himself.

Now, I find myself navigating a grief that will walk beside me for the rest of my life. A grief so deep it feels like it has taken up residence in my bones. But as grief specialist David Kessler says, “One day you will remember with more love than pain.” I want to believe that. I want to reach for that.

So, in my pain, I turn to words. Writing is my way forward, my way of keeping him close. Not only to express the weight of this loss, but to share the remarkable love that graced my life when I least expected it—in my mid-fifties, at a time I had no idea such a love was still possible.

This is my journey through grief. This is my tribute to love—the kind that changes you forever.

I had five short years with Eddie, but in that time, we lived a full, beautiful life together. We packed so much love, laughter, and shared moments into those years—it was a love that was palpable, undeniable. What we had was rare, and I want to share our story, not to boast, but to remind those who might doubt that this kind of love truly exists.

And on the other end of the spectrum, as I navigate the deep grief of losing my husband, I hope that opening up about my journey may offer some comfort to others who are also mourning someone they love. Because grief can feel isolating, but love—even in its absence—remains.