The Healing Journey

January 13, 2026

I held her hand at the end

By M.

My wife passed away a little after midnight. I held her hand most of the day with my daughters and granddaughter close by. We were married for 67 years and she just turned 90. Her graveside funeral was live-streamed by the funeral home. We did not have an obit in the paper.

My wife always told me that if she went first, I was to remarry and that would prove we had a good marriage. I responded to her that to me, it would just be the other way around.

Hospice was truly magnificent in helping my wife in her last days and hours of life, and she felt no pain. I have a great family and neighbors who paid their respects as good neighbors and families often do.

There is so much more I could write about of all the fine things that my wife did and her accomplishments as a daughter, mother, grandmother and above all as nurse.

There was an article in the New York Times titled “Joy Is the Next Stage of My Grief.” I might argue otherwise. At the present time, even with family and friends, I feel lonely.

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