Why do I grieve, not for the past, because that was already past
I grieve for what we may have had together in the future
I grieve with racking sobs and immeasurable pain for the loss of him
I grieve because I know that this is not for today for it will last
beyond tomorrow, next week, next month and next year.
The overwhelming need to be with him, if only for a brief minute
frightens me, yet comforts me through my tears, because it means
That I have experienced the depth of love I did not believe existed
And for that I should remember to be grateful, but it still seems
As though there is no tomorrow for me any more, just today
To push myself through, for the sake of others and in memory of him
Not to sound self-pitying or boring others with my pain, so I paint on my face
And I face the world, but inside I feel nothing but emptiness and grief,
and with that word again, I grieve, and I scream to the sky, I want him back
The world is silent, the world we knew is no more, and I feel cast away
on a sea of loneliness, where there is no laughter, nor even fights, just silence
The silence made of grieving and loss.
Whilst others quite rightly gather back their lives and hold their loved ones even closer
I want him home, I want him back, I want to be with him
But in his name and for his memory’s sake I must go on, into a future alone
No one can help me, not family nor friends, for this is one battle I must face
To waken each day, look at the same spot on the ceiling and get on with trying to live
Without him.
That is so very beautifully written. It says everything and is so honest and from the heart. Thank you.
I want so much to say something positive and tell you there really is joy and hope, but just at the moment cant find the right words. There has to be a reason we are here, there has to be a purpose..... maybe it isn't clear yet. In the past, things have presented themselves, opportunities, ways forward etc just when I wasn't looking......... Do you think that could be possible for you too.......?
Sorry not much help.
Jen X
Niamh
Just beautiful and the most moving words to me are ' no one can help me, not family or friends ' because for all the support i have , no one is there late in an evening or first thing in a morning
No one sends that text just to say hello. No one calls me 'clunk ' any longer as i break something else
No one is there in the supermarket when you spot that favourite food or understands when that song comes on the radio.
Even my mum doesnt understand, only those of us here
xx
This week on the 22nd will be exactly five months since my husband left this world. On the 23rd it will be 50 years to the day since we met (we were very young back then) - we were deciding if we should do anything to celebrate this after a normal up&down marriage, and having survived storms. Little did we know he would not survive long enough to be with me.
How I understand missing the 'good mornings', 'night darling' or the text jokes he used to send me. The phone remains silent, my life in my mind remains silent while the world goes on around me, tears are always there just behind my eyes and I have to work very hard not to let anyone see or indeed let myself cry whilst out with friends or in public. So I tend to stay in more than i usually did, it saves the effort and also the embarrassment, as after five months people seem not to expect you to still be in so much pain. My ears extend to being unable to drive on motorways or major A roads - hubby used to do most of the driving, but now I just cannot as I get panic attacks, I know the back roads to most places except those further away from where i live.
I know I have to get through this week - that is common sense, but my sense is that I want to shut the door and just stay here close to his photos and his memories. WHY?!!! he still had so much to give and life to live..... I hate cancer and the destruction it leaves behind, but most of all I hate being without my husband.
Fight for the rarer cancers, go to www.sarcoma.org.uk to make a difference
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007