The Healing Journey

When Tom showed up at the senior center to give his talk, he met Gabe, who had arranged the event, and they discussed the microphone, the length of time he would be speaking and the other arrangements. But one of the first things Gabe told him was, “I lost my wife 15 years ago.” Tom found it curious that he would share that personal information with a complete stranger for no apparent reason. Then he added, “I’m looking for a smaller place to live because a four-bedroom house has just been too much for one person.”

So, in a matter of moments, the talk turned from an explanation of the logistics for the speech to Gabe’s grief, which he carried with him a long time and still seemed to be dealing with. After what were 15 long years, he still was making changes to his life. What Gabe didn’t share was that his life seemed to come to an end the day she died, and he didn’t think he could go on. The truth was he didn’t even know how he would go on. The day she died became a defining moment in his life, a line of demarcation in the years he had left that marked the end of the first part of his life and the beginning of the second part, which he feared would be a lonely and confused ordeal.

Even though Gabe’s healing journey was a long one, he was healing. He still loved his wife as dearly as the day they were married. But now things were different. He was making his way through the world — an old man, alone. And while friends and family members were there to help, nothing ever would completely fill the void. He looked with hope to the day they would be reunited again. Yes, he was on a healing journey alone, but he was also walking through what remained of his life toward a future that he was sure would bring him joy again.
© J Pisani

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