Widowed AF: Real stories of love, grief and beyond - With Rosie Moss

In this episode of Widowed AF, Rosie talks with Debbie Weiss, a widow who lost her husband George to male breast cancer in 2013 after nearly 40 years together. Debbie opens up about the extreme isolation she felt after George's death, as they had no children and little family support. She shares how George shut her out of his medical care as he struggled to accept his terminal diagnosis

However, Debbie made the courageous choice to rebuild her life step-by-step. After a time she tentatively dipped into the often funny but challenging world of online dating as an older widow, an experience she hilariously recounts in her book "Available As Is: A Midlife Widow's Search for Love." Debbie persevered through many disappointing dates until finally meeting her current partner of five years.

She emphasises that despite the devastation of losing a spouse, there is hope if you choose to move forward. Debbie found new joy by joining social groups, getting a graduate degree, and ultimately buying her dream home by the water. Her inspiring story shows that with courage and perseverance, widows can rediscover hope, happiness and even love again.

For more information about Debbie' s Book can be found at https://debbieweissauthor.com/

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This episode explores the vital importance of self-care and finding healthy outlets to recharge, especially for widowed parents dealing with grief while raising children. Rosie and John discuss taking breaks when needed, whether it's spending a night alone at a hotel or engaging in hobbies and activities that allow you to temporarily remove yourself from the pressures of parenting. They emphasise not feeling guilty about prioritising your own wellbeing, and not judging others' self-care practices. Throughout, the message is clear - as a widowed parent, you cannot pour from an empty cup, so making time for your own emotional, mental and physical needs is essential, not selfish.

#selfcare #widowedparenting #griefandloss #parentalwellbeing #recharging #emotionalhealth #mentalhealth #prioritizingyourself #breaksfromparenting #findingbalance

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In this episode of "Widowed AF," Rosie Gill-Moss interviews our guest  about her life after the loss of her husband Tom, her challenges as a foreigner in the UK, and raising a son with autism. She shares insights into her experiences, including navigating legal and financial hurdles post-loss and understanding her son's neurodiversity. This episode sheds light on coping with unexpected life changes, the intricacies of widowhood, and parenting a child with autism, offering perspectives on resilience and adaptation.

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The dynamic widowed duo are back, taking all things grief, parenting and falling in mud- I got knocked down, but I got up again 😉. 

We are rapidly approaching our 100th episode, which feels impossible and makes us so proud of you all.  Today we reflect on this monumental milestone and all that we have learned along the way. 

#Suddendeath
#Cancerdeath
#Parenting
#Blendedfamilies
#Stepparenting
#Outnumbered 
#Loveafterloss 
#widowedandyoung 
#fuckyoucancer 
#cancerwidow 
#EMDR
#bereavedchildren

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Analia shares her story of meeting her husband, their life together, and the tragic event that led to his sudden death. She discusses the challenges of being a solo parent and the impact of grief on her life.

We cover the often tricky process of dating and finding love again, as well as the importance of preserving memories and creating new ones. Ultimately, it emphasizes the resilience and strength required to rebuild life and find joy in the midst of grief. Analia's journey is not just about immense tragedy, but also about the fight back.

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Today host Rosie is joined by (alive) husband Jon after a couple of weeks off, and in the episode we tell you why…

We talk about mental health, both in relation to grief and also in terms of past trauma, misdiagnosis and the other scary sounding things you may uncover through therapy. 😬

The term ‘Ambiguous Grief’ puts a name to the feeling of uncertainty and confusion around a death- something so many of us will relate to, and resonates particularly hard with Rosie who’s husband, Ben, was lost at sea.

We hope to offer both reassurance that you’re not alone and to remind bit our listeners, and ourselves we are all learning on the job and not one single one of us is perfect. Be it parenting, widowing, or just trying to bumble through life unscathed, We gotcha.

#widow #widowedandyoung #widowedlife #widowlife #bereavedmother #bereavedparents #bereavedfather #widoweddad #widowedmum #findyourtribe #safetyinnumbers #lovethembetter #healing #healingjourney #widowed_af #widowedandwingingit #blendedfamily #patchworkfamily #nosteps #onward #widowedpodcast #strongertogether #adhdwomen #adhdmum #latediagnosed

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In episode #93 of the Widowed AF podcast, host Rosie Gill-Moss introduces us to Leonie Thorpe, whose story unfolds against the backdrop of the pandemic.

Leonie's tale is one of love, the importance of family, and the unique challenges of grieving in an unprecedented global crisis.

Leonie met her partner Richard in 2012, both having been previously married with children. Their relationship led to a beautiful, blended family of nine (!!) children. Their life together consisted of all the expected challenges of a large family, but was one filled with love and joy.

Their lives took a dramatic turn when Richard discovered a lump on his neck. Initially diagnosed as a manageable case of head and neck cancer, Richard underwent aggressive treatment. The couple was optimistic, as doctors were confident about his recovery, and began to believe they had a future.

Leonie speaks candidly about the heart-wrenching journey that followed. The pandemic's restrictions added an excruciating layer to their ordeal. Richard's condition deteriorated rapidly, and he had to receive his terminal diagnosis alone, a moment that deeply affected both of them. She shares her struggles with anger towards the healthcare system and her quest to find peace and acceptance.

Their children, each dealing with grief in their unique ways, faced the loss of their father amidst global isolation and fear.

Don’t miss this one!

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It’s  back! 
In today’s   episode,  Rosie explains what prompted  the couple’s recent need to take some time off. You’ll miss the your resident Northern widower (aka the alive husband), but fear not,  he will be back next week. 

There is also some thrilling  news concerning Widstock 2024,  and toilets. As well as the usual  wanderings of a scattered mind.
 

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In this episode , we invite you to join Nina Edwards. Nina's story is one of love rediscovered, a tale of finding joy in the most unexpected places, only to face the unthinkable – the loss of her soulmate to a cruel and relentless illness.

As a single mother, Nina's world took a turn for the brighter when she met Owen through their sons' shared love for football. Their friendship blossomed into a beautiful love story, offering them both a second chance at happiness. But as they navigated the blending of families and overcoming past hardships, they were confronted with a dire challenge – Owen's sudden cancer diagnosis.

Nina recounts their fight against the odds, their determination to seize every moment together, and how they faced Owen's illness with courage and love. From purchasing their dream home to planning a future together, their story is a testament to the power of love in the face of life's most daunting challenges.

This episode is not just about the grief of losing a loved one. It's about the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of support systems, and the journey of healing. Nina opens up about her coping mechanisms, the solace she found in her family and Owen's, and her journey through the grieving process.

Nina's story is a timely reminder of the unpredictability of life, the enduring strength of love, and the unyielding courage it takes to keep fu@&ing going.

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* Apologies for the sound on Jon's microphone today.   

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