One day

Jennifer Saltzstein was my wife and my best friend. She passed away twenty-five weeks ago — nearly half a year.

We had been making plans for the future. We were getting ready to be parents. We were excited. Then, one day, she didn’t wake up and none of that mattered.

Lost. Hopeless. Betrayed. Heartbroken.

I’ve been there. I still am.

Maybe you’re feeling something like that today.

You know what? That’s okay. You’re allowed to feel that way. Give yourself permission.

I’m sorry to say that feeling may never go away for good. Tomorrow, and the day after, it’s still going to hurt. There is no closure.

But you can do something about it. Retreat to the arms of people you love — to a safe place, free from judgment. Disconnect a bit. Do the little things to take care of yourself. Steady yourself with activities that bring you joy. Make room for love and laughter.

Little by little, you learn to live with it. That feeling, it can be a source of strength. You start to focus on the stuff that really matters. Your strength, your hope, your spirit, it slowly returns.

Today, let yourself be sad. You need this time. One day, you’ll be ready again to face what’s ahead.