It’s that week…the date of my husband’s passing is coming up. With it brings all the mixed emotions, the bittersweet memories, & another year facing life as a widow.

This week has always held a heaviness for me since my husband’s death. Even without consciously thinking about it, I’ll find my mood becomes depressive, my energy lags, and grief hits once again. Those are natural responses. Grief affects all areas of our lives: mentally, physically, emotionally, & spiritually so we feel the effects on all levels.

These days are painful and we should acknowledge our feelings. While we’ll never “get over” the loss of our husbands, our lives, and our dreams, hopefully over time our responses to these days will change and the pain lessen. Don’t feel guilty about that! That’s not a sign you’re forgetting, you’re healing!

I’ve learned how to weather these anniversaries & other significant days as they come. Here are a few suggestions for dealing with the death anniversary:

Above all, turn to God. He will comfort, strengthen, & sustain you through your grief.

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you. Psalm 55:22

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped. Psalm 28:7