Whole New Life
PODCAST: Having survived cancer in my 40s and the loss of my husband in my 50s, I deeply empathize with the challenges you may be facing. I share my coping strategies and the determination it takes to remain resilient. By following my journey, you'll discover practical techniques to manage grief, build emotional strength, and find hope even in the darkest times.
Throughout 30 episodes, I candidly share every moment of my falls and the strength I found to rise again each time. I chronicle my journey of learning and growth and include a surprising twist I never thought possible: falling in love again.
Widowhood has been far from easy, the effort I invested in five years following my husband's passing has, and will always remain, entirely worthwhile.
BOOK SERIES: In 2024 I wrote and self-published a 3-book series about my life, love, and loss. You may purchase on Amazon in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.
Book One:
46 Days: Just the beginning of my healing journey…
Approximately two months after my husband passed away from cancer, I needed to get away for a while. In 2020 I was not only his wife, but also his caregiver for the last year of his life. Watching my husband slowly die in front of my eyes took everything out of me.
Book Two:
140.6 sMILES: It was more than just crossing the finish line…
Both the physical and mental strength it took to train for, as well as complete, actually provided me with the physical and mental strength I needed when I found out I had cancer in 2013, as well as learning my husband’s cancer was terminal in 2020.
Book Three:
3 Words: Powerful words that changed my life forever…
The most gut-wrenching words I have ever heard were spoken to me in 2013 and then again to my husband in 2019: “You Have Cancer.”
WEBSITE: https://stacyryanauthor.com/
DISCLAIMER: My story should not be interpreted in any way as expert, health, or medical advice. I chose to share my story, in my voice, to assure people they are not alone and perhaps provide a bit of inspiration or a glimpse of hope, if needed.
Whole New Life
Real Emotions of Being a Widow: Feeling Guilty and Happy at the Same Time
Can you feel genuinely happy after devastating loss? When my husband died in 2020, I couldn't imagine ever experiencing true happiness again. Now, five years later, I've found myself in a surprising place – genuinely happy and yet wrestling with unexpected guilt about that happiness.
"I thought genuine happiness was just a dream," reflecting on my darkest days. "Can I feel happy again? Can I feel joy? Can I be content in my life?" The answer, as I've discovered, is yes – though not without complications. Now sharing my life with another widowed person who truly understands my journey, I've found a new kind of happiness that honors rather than replaces my past.
Fellow widows Maribeth and Michelle join the conversation, sharing their own experiences finding love and joy after loss. Their stories create a tapestry of hope, validating the confusing mix of emotions that accompany happiness after grief. As Maribeth beautifully puts it, "It sometimes seems so confusing to experience both joy and pain and grief all at the same time."
StacyRyanAuthor.com
