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Widow Ways: Coping, Dealing and Running Through It.

"We are going to get through this, overcome and have a story that helps others in this world

The analogy of grief coming in waves is wholly accurate. Having lost our husbands, we are too familiar with those feelings. What we have realized in our collective 15 years of loss is that at times we have needed someone to throw us a “life preserver” when we feel as though we are drowning. Losing your person is a lonely and difficult experience, and one that is impossible to get through alone. Our hope is that we can act as those life preservers for women ( and men) who find themselves fighting against those waves. We have been at the receiving end of so much support and love from family and friends and we want to pay it forward.

-Christine & Shelley

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about

Shelley Blevins

mom, friend, daughter, runner, fundraiser, widow

Born in Southwest Virginia, I met my husband Jeremy there as a senior in high school when we were 16 years old. We attended the same college, married the summer after graduation and moved to the Carolinas to begin our married life at the old age of 21 years. After 10 years of working, traveling, having fun and growing up we had two kids and moved to the suburbs. Seven years later Jeremy was diagnosed with oral cancer. He fought hard for 7 months and just shy of our 20th wedding anniversary he lost his battle. My kids and I lost our rock. Those 7 and 9 year old babies have since grown into amazing, strong teenagers. We continue to strive to make Jeremy proud every day.

Christine Griggs

mom, friend, sister, middle school English teacher, golfer, runner, relocated Northerner, widow.

Having lived in NY for my first 30 years, I assumed I would get married, start a family and live and work in NY until I retired. I figured I would live down the street from my family much the same way as I did. However, I was engaged to a southern man who wanted to move back below the Mason Dixon. Young and in love, I followed my husband to South Carolina a week after we were married. The year was 2004 and I had a very difficult time adjusting to life in the south. (I eventually did come to love living in SC.) 15 years and two children later, my husband was diagnosed with cancer. A year later, the world went on lockdown. 6 months later, my strong, vivacious, kind husband died. I was left to raise our two children aged 12 and 13.

In the 18 months since Jay has died, my children and I have continued on in the hopes that we are making him proud.

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