Bride To Widow

By Monna Ellithorpe

After 4-1/2 years I was able to put together the journaling, writing and articles that helped me cope with the loss of my best friend of 5 years and husband of a short 2 days in the hopes of being able to help someone else who may be struggling with their own loss. Grief and loss affect us all in different ways. I hope to reach out to others and let them know they are not alone and that there is a new life after losing your spouse; just a different life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Monna Ellithorpe
• Release date: Apr 18, 2016
• ISBN: 9781481247917

Monna Ellithorpe

My name is Monna Ellithorpe. I am a writer, published author and affiliate marketer. Along with my writing I have come to realize that you have to learn marketing and the techniques of the trade in order to get your books out in front of the right people.   Along with marketing, I do enjoy working to solve some of the daily problems and time consuming actions of marketing. I live in Fort Myers, FL., and I continue to write short stories and articles and work on my first novel, along with helping others to publish their books and teaching different classes online to help make life easier for writers and for writers to learn marketing.

Book preview

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If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand  Unknown."

Bride To Widow

By Monna Ellithorpe

(c) Copyright 2013 - 2016

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License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please report this to the author as a stolen copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ISBN-10:1481247913

ISBN-13:978-1481247917

Table of Contents

The Beginning of the End – August 2008

How to Go on After Your Spouse Dies

The Days After and The Journey To Adjust

How to Write a Eulogy When You Can't Find the Words

A Grieving Person Doesn't Want to Be Alone All of the Time

Face Your Fear of Death; Give Comfort

Stupid Things People Say in Times of Grief

Coping With Grief – Where is My Support?

Grief - Unresolved Feelings and Regrets (Should-a, Could-a, Would-a)

Signs and Messages From Your Loved One

Medications to Cope With Grief – Yes or No?

Major Decisions

There Is No Time Table for Grieving

Journal Writing For Grief and Loss

7 Steps In Writing a Grief Journal

Wealthy Widow or Not...

My Dear Husband

Reflections - Life is Too Short

HOLIDAYS... First Valentine’s Day Alone

Widow's Walk

Memorial Day 2009

To My Husband, Sergeant Major Rea Bradley Ellithorpe

Father's Day - June 21, 2009

Angel Day - 1 Year Ago

December 2012 – A Long Journey

Miss Me, But Let Me Go

About The Author

The Beginning of the End – August 2008

August 7, 2008 was the beginning of the end for my husband and I.  I wish I could just sleep away the month of August from now on.

We were planning our wedding for August 13, 2008. It wasn’t the first for either of us, so it wasn’t going to be a big affair; just a few family and close friends. 

After serving 30 years in the Army, Rea (pronounced Ray) was not in the best of health but his health had been declining at that time. 

In looking back now, I realize both of us didn’t want to face reality that he was very sick.

I took him to the doctor on August 7, 2008 and he was admitted to the hospital on that same day.  Again, we didn't realize or want to even think of the possibility that he would have to stay for a few days and that our wedding would never take place as we had planned or worse yet, that he would never be coming home at all.

August had always been a good month for both of us. His birthday is August 1st, mine is August 13th and 2 years earlier in August of 2006, we had starting living together and the date of our marriage was also going to be in August.

Instead August has turned out to be a month I will now dread for the rest of my life.

We did go ahead with the wedding.  We were married in his hospital room on August 15, 2008 with my daughter, my 2 grandchildren, my best friend of 40+ years there and a friend of my daughter's who married us.

Considering how sick my Rea was and the pain he was in, we were both very happy and he suffered through the pain to make that day very special for both of us; especially for me because he always wanted me to be happy and he looked out for me in every way possible.

After the ceremony and everyone had gone, I could see the toll it took on him to try and ignore the pain. He was given pain medication and I left my new husband to let him sleep.

I came back later in the evening to be with him.  I didn't care that this, our wedding night was not