Hi RedRhodie
Lisa told me you were asking about me. I feel bad posting here because I feel like an imposter, not riding that much, not having any big rides in my future, and not having my sweetie's prowess to brag about.
I AM still riding, but not a lot, I am taking classes (yoga, pottery, italian) and walking as much as i can, doing my best to have a full life as a single retiree. Losing a good husband leaves a huge hole in your life, let me tell you.
I spent much of the end of last year just buzzing around in my house, cleaning, painting and reorganizing. As soon as the new quarter (January) began, i redirected my energy outwards.

Being a widow is hard because you have got this guy that you love and you still want to talk about and most people don't want to talk about him anymore.

After Donald died, I gave a friend a photo Donald had taken of him on his bike (he was going to put it in a show, he liked it so much) and the friend sent an email to our whole club thanking ME for the #$@#$ photo. He never gave Donald any credit at all.
When you lose a loved one, a parent, a grandparent, you grieve, but I can tell you right now, it is NOTHING NOTHING like losing your "better half" I had no idea, was totally unprepared for just how huge this would be.

So what must one do? I stay busy, i make lots of plans with people, places to go, etc; and yet, unbidden, often, tears fall. I never know when it's going to happen, but happen it does.
A LOT. I've cried more in the last 7 months than I had in the last 55 years!. maybe even in my whole life. I am thinking of marketing the stuff; "Widow's tears" maybe it's good for something. So if you met me on the street, i'd act normal, laugh, smile talk... but there's still that hole. If you know a widow, give her a call.

and thanks for asking about me.