A day will not erase the pain of your beloved spouse but Jimmy Chouteau founded this day with the hopes of easing the pain that women go through as widows whether newly widowed or many years past.
Today is recognized as National Widow’s Day by the great people at Widow Wednesday, which is a non-profit organization created with the sole purpose of pouring back into the community located in the greater Kansas City area. What an interesting and amazing concept to set aside a Wednesday over the past five years to assist Widows and Widowers with handy or household work? This is nothing short of amazing.
As a woman who works with grieving families and individuals who are processing loss, secondary losses can become essential things that are needed but not thought much about after the death of a loved one. Household chores, organizational assistance, or lawn care are things that can sometimes be cast aside because you are simply trying to learn how to do the next natural thing in life. There are so many people in the network of care but many just remain to the side because they may not quite know how to handle the loss or how to help. I am thankful to know that there is an organization out there that can meet the needs of women who are in this space and that organization is Widow Wednesday.
I am sure the needs may be many, but find out what you can do today to support and be a blessing in the life of a widow today. If you are not able to physically assist, pick up the phone and call someone you know. Just find your way to be there.
GriefTalk and Danitaogandaga.com supports the need to be a blessing to people at their lowest point of grief. We thank God and believe God for restoration but also know that it is a process that must work itself out through communication, notification, and coordination of services. Go ahead and get started today!
Danita Ogandaga, MSW 