“I Felt Like Half A Person” – On Becoming A Widow
In an instant, Leslie went from sharing every aspect of life with her husband Ryan to feeling like half a person. Leslie, Ryan, their two young children, and their extended family were on vacation in California when Ryan told Leslie that something didn't feel right. He was rushed to the hospital where he died of a stroke and an aneurysym, leaving Leslie to figure out how to live their life without him. The people Leslie most wanted to talk to in her grief were other widows. This inspired her to start Vids for Wids - a project to capture the stories of widows in the hopes of helping others feel less alone.
We discuss:
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How Leslie and Ryan met as co-workers
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The day Ryan died while they were on vacation
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Suddenly feeling like half a person without Ryan
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Telling her very young children about his death
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The early days and weeks of widowhood
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How her kids’ grief is changing over time
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The power of talking to other widows
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What Leslie learned about grief from Ryan
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Dating and becoming a remarried widow
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Leslie’s Vids for Wids project to support other widows