Linda L

I finally hit that milestone this year, over 14 years married, and over 14 years widowed. It was a really strange feeling having a "first" this far out.

My personal pet peeve is the widows who solicit money from their fellow widows so they can write a book, etc. It's one thing to make money once you've written a book, but to solicit your fellow wids to pay you to write it? No way. I am another who will never recommend Camp Widow or Soaring Spirits. I have several issues with that organization, that I would be glad to discuss privately.

I hit the 12 year mark in January. I remember both of you. I am happy you got to fulfill your dream to be a mom, Karen. I, too, am pretty happy with my life right now, although I have not remarried. I have a high school junior and an eighth grader and keeping up with them pretty much takes up my time. Funny how getting recoupled seems to be less important to me these days. I enjoy my independence and know I can handle things ok on my own.

I find it so sad to think that the wisdom in all those posts is gone forever. Yes, it can be recreated, to an extent, on this board, but years and years must pass to have the record of so many journeys preserved. I am sincerely disappointed in how the shutdown was handled. We all deserved better. As an SOS, it was one of the few places I could truly talk with others who "got it." One of the reasons I stayed so long was to help those behind me. i cannot believe that the YWBB founders and board actually think that FB groups, etc, could take the place of the board. Do they not get that the formats are different? The anonymity not present? And I simply cannot support the "professional widow" sites. I helped people because it was the right thing to do. Not to make money off my fellow wids and get famous.

Mine was when a fellow young widow told me "to look in the mirror" when I lamented on the other board that I would probably never know the reasons behind my DH's suicide.

Not to mention the responses to Trish's Surviving the Suicide of a Spouse thread.

If we are legally allowed to cut and paste threads from there to here, I'd love to see the Telling Children About Suicide and What Do You Want Folks to Know About Suicide threads over here, too.

Great to be here! Although I didn't post all that much on the YWBB in the past few years, I often popped in to check the active topics of the day. Nice to know we will have a new place to call home. The other board was my lifeline 12 years ago, and I am glad it is like the Phoenix and rising again in a new form.

I'm Linda, and lost my DH to suicide from a GSW to the chest (in my presence) in January 2003. I have often said since that I wouldn't wish this journey on my worst enemy. Suicide adds such layers to grief, and complicates everything. Not to mention the stigma, guilt, and blame. The other board saved my sanity by connecting me with others who survived this, and I hope I have been able to help those behind me on this journey.

I'm Linda, I lost my DH Hugh to suicide in January 2003. My daughters were 5 and 2--they are now 17 and 14. Although I visited the other board less frequently now than I once did, the thought of it not being here made me sad. So I am thrilled this board is here (and that they got me activated here finally).