Coping -- Make Certain Your Support Team Is In Place

Each of us needs his or her support network. These are the "old reliables," friends or family members you regularly call upon to talk to, have a meal with, ask along for a long walk, or go shopping with. Especially now, you’ll want to select a team captain and let her (or him) know when you’re ready for visitors, when you’re ready to schedule an outing. Understand, though, that no one can read your mind. You cannot expect help — and company — until you’ve clearly and loudly asked for it. Every widowed person, or divorcee for that matter, proceeds at a different pace. There is no calendar to announce when you are eager to talk, to socialize, to get out from behind your four walls. I remember times when people telephoned and I resented the intrusion. I remember other nights when I would stare at the phone and wonder, "Why doesn’t someone call? Don’t they know what I’m going through?" In fairness, how could they?