Good day Peg,  I know how hard all of this is for you and all of us.  It is true, people do and have moved on with their lives.  No one realizes just what we are going through because they themselves have not lost the other have of themselves.  Each day IS a challenge!  I find there are 2 sides of me the one the public sees, the strong survivor and the other side that sobs uncontrollably from loneliness and fear.

I have no children, so to answer your question about your daughter, the best I can offer is to just follow your heart.  If your heart is telling you to send a card and/or a gift then do so, she is your daughter.  Someday she may wake up and realize what she has done to sever the relationship with her family.   NO ONE can sit on top of the world forever and if that day should come for her then she may realize just what you are going through.  Some people are sad excuses for living. 

Peg, you will make it, you need to be strong. Someone once told me the 3 year stages of grieving are: the first year you are numb, the second year reality checks in and the third year is for eternity.  I am in the reality year with 14 months under my belt and even though it does not hurt any less I feel this year has brought out the true loneliness surrounding my husband's passing.  I have never realized just how quiet life can be when you are alone.  

Your life has been changed forever and there will always be a missing piece so live your life for you and NOT for the pleasure of others.  Hugs and prayers, Jane P.

It seems that everyone fels that as time passes you should be back to normal. But no one knows how we feel in or mind and especially out hearts. I still often think about what was happening when my wife was alive on certain dates, things like was she in the hospital, or were we going to the city for treatments. I try not to do this often, better to think of the good  times,which in reality there wer so many more. I have 2 married children and at first they were a little more supportive, but after 2 1/2 years seem to have backed away. I even had to cut my brother inlaw out of my life, he made a few stupid comments soon after his sister died that I didnt like.I feel that I have to do what I think is right for me.  Hope you find some peace in the future.

Peg, Hang in there with us.  Your situation is not unique nor are you alone in your feelings.  I have no children, my only living relative is an older brother.  We both attended a funeral approximately 2 weeks ago and he not only ignored me he snubbed me.  I was devastated.  I not only was hurt over his actions I forgot to take my xanax and could not compose myself during the funeral and I had to walk out.  I later confronted him and he said he was upset with me because I did not call him to tell him I was coming in for the funeral.  Hello did I hear you correctly, since when did you care?  The point I am trying to make is no one realizes just what hell we are living in.  It is worst than a nightmare since we life it in every waking hour.  It is an effort for us to put one foot in front of the other.  These people have moved on with their lives and they do not know what we are going through and frankly I really don't think they care. So with all that said, pray for them, so they will never go through what we are experiencing, hold your head up high, cry when you need too and someday they just may come to their senses, until then life your life for you.  Sending many hugs,  Jane P.

He passed away last month, 5/25/12.  One minute I was a beloved wife, the next moment, I am a widow.

Thank you for adding me as your friend.  Hugs, jane P.