Suki1

Wish I were going to be around – it sounds like fun .

I like the annual idea – let's keep it in mind!  I wish I could make this one, but I'll be on a work trip. I'd love to do it another time, though. I'm betting you'll all have lots of fun!

Wishing you all the best, Jess! Keep us posted!

Stuff . . . I've still got a lot to go through. It's hard. One thing that has helped me about the things I've given away was the thought that the items would go on to a new and useful life, and make someone else happy. A woman whose son took a few of my husband's clothes was just thrilled; she told me that he was starting his first job after university and needed a more professional wardrobe, but he didn't have much money to spend. The clothes were just what he needed and were exactly his size (!). I still feel good when I think of that.

Papers are another thing altogether, as well as things that were of sentimental value. Maybe keep a few things and dispose of the rest? Or take photos of things and then dispose of them? In the end, I guess it's not "things" but our memories/recognition of someone's kindness, generosity, love, etc., that are our best keepsakes. And those don't take up space or pile up in the basement . . .

I like Jess's idea of not even having to do 30 minutes. I'm going to remember that next time!

Hi AubreeAnn,

I'm sorry about your loved one's passing. I think we all have these thoughts. It's the shoulda-coulda-woulda rabbit hole, and it doesn't lead anywhere helpful. In hindsight, there are lots of things we could have done differently; if only we could turn the clock back, we'd do a zillion things differently.

Don't beat yourself up. Remember the good you gave him; that honors him in a way that the regret and remorse cannot. Hang in there. You're not alone.

I finished my PhD last year; I was in the early stages of writing my dissertation when my husband died unexpectedly. People told me, "It's good that you have the dissertation to focus on," but I also wondered how I'd ever get it done on time. It was hard to concentrate, plus there was a deadline that couldn't be changed. Writing it certainly gave me a goal, not to mention a lot of work to do in the months that followed, on top of all the paperwork and other things that had to be done in relation to my husband's passing. Now, what to do next is the question. The life I ended up with – surprise – is not the one I expected to have. I've taught in the past but don't know whether I want to teach again. I'm currently doing research and writing. And mulling over the possibilities of what to do next.

Hi Jen,

Sending hugs. I wish I lived closer so I could deliver them live. Don't be ashamed. No two of us are alike, and comparisons, as they say, are odious. The journey seems longer for some than for others, but this is not a race or a contest. We each do what we can. And you give so much to the board. You'll never know how much some of your posts on YWBB meant to me when I was "starting out" two years ago. (And more recently as well.) Hang in there. Some day the sun has to shine, even if it rains a lot before then. Lots of hugs to you.

I went to the supermarket, then came home and had supper. Hardly an exciting way to spend a Saturday evening!

I'm still a maybe but also still hoping to make it! On the 14th.

I'm hoping I can make it ? for the moment, please put me down as a "Maybe." Thanks!

I'm so happy for the three of you! And thanks for telling us more about how things developed. It's encouraging to read your story. All the best to you, and keep us posted!

Lewis, I love the new look! Easy to read, easy on the eyes . . . You're the best !

Thank you, Lewis! And thank you, Jess and Justin, for letting us know about Lewis. And also for filling us in a little more about that wild and crazy week-end. It was the middle of the night when I discovered that YWBB was to be no more, and I wondered how I would survive without it. Thanks again to everyone who has made our new board possible.

Does the instructor find everyone's telling their tales of woe disruptive? If it interrupts the class, perhaps you could talk with her (or him), just the two of you, and ask whether s/he could do something to help. Do the others in the class even realize there are different ways to behave? They might not have a clue as to what "private" or "personal" means. This could be an opportunity for a little enlightenment ... And restraining themselves from airing all their dirty or unhappy laundry in class could also be approached as a step in learning how to behave more professionally. Which could be useful if the class is one that anyone takes in the hopes of getting a better job or preparing for employment. I hope things work out.

Hard to believe that a year has passed since that amazing week-end a year ago (March 7-8, 2015) when a handful of fast-moving and can-do members of YWBB rescued us from that board's demise. Thank you so much, Jess and your team, for creating this "new" board, and for your on-going work on our behalf.

Sounds good to me. It's on my calendar .

Thanks, TooSoon, for posting the Roomba link. I haven't laughed so hard since my husband was alive.

If you like cats, check out the "Dear Kitten" videos from BuzzFeed, in which an adult cat teaches a kitten about the ways of the household. The videos are ads for Friskies, but you almost wouldn't know it, as Friskies only enters into them at the very end.

Thank you, DonnaP, for organizing the Bago today, and thanks to everyone who came ? it was a pleasure to meet you all.

Thank you, Donna. See you Sunday!

Hi Donna, could you confirm the name and address of where we're meeting? Is it still The Manor at 42 W Boylston St, W Boylston? Thanks!

Noon sounds fine to me.

Thank you!

Is there still time to sign up for Feb 28th? If so, would you add me to the list? Thanks!

Hi Karin,

My husband passed away suddenly, too, and we had no children, and after the initial rush of condolences, nearly everyone just disappeared. So it was a great relief to me to find this site  (actually, its predecessor) eight months later. This is a great group and we know where you're coming from. You're not alone. Sending you hugs.

Jess, you've been such a big help to all of us here. I'm sorry about the sad day, and I hope the days after it have been better. Anniversaries are never easy. Sending you lots of hugs.