I cannot imagine how the current COVID-19 situation must affect those in their deepest throes of grief. Even if you don’t get sick, the isolation, fear and uncertainty alone can really get to you. I’ve been widowed for eight years now. How would a pandemic situation like this have affected me right after my loss?
When I think about that, I shudder because I just don’t know how I would have made it through that. It felt like I barely survived those early days of grief back then, it was so tough. So how could I have possibly dealt with the additional stress and isolation from a pandemic, not to mention possible job loss, shortages and dealing with closed businesses and offices when you have to take care of things?
It is absolutely unimaginable.
To those going through the extremely rough and painful early days of grief, I wish I could lessen your pain. And I wish you didn’t have to go through this horrible pandemic on top of all your heartbreak and pain. I’m so sorry. Please hang in there. If you have neighbors, friends or relatives offering to help, take them up on their offers if you can do so without putting yourself or others at risk of catching the virus. Use technology (Skype, Facebook, texting, email, phone, etc.) as much as possible to keep in touch and interact with others. You shouldn’t have to deal with your grief and other post-loss problems alone. Reach out to others, maybe join an online community of fellow grievers such as Widowed Village. We may be in self-isolation or quarantine, but we can still be there for each other, supporting one another on our grief journey. Hang in there, my friends!