When Your Other Half Dies

"Single female seeks tall, older man for friendship, possible romance. Must play bridge and tennis. Poor dancers need not apply."Lili Skinner has met Mr. Two Left Feet. Now she needs Mr. Right. But if you think finding romance is hard at age 20, try doing it (again) at 81. "I really have no trouble meeting people," she said. "To meet eligible people is hard." Women complain that they outnumber Read more...

OLYMPIA, WASH. -- After years together, Florence and Charles are so close that after they die, they'd like their ashes combined. So when Charles had cancer surgery three years ago, Florence wanted to be there to comfort him when he woke up. "OK, Mrs. Cornell, we'll see what we can do," the nurse said. Florence thanked her, got in to see Charles, and never revealed the couple's little secret: Read more...

At 71, Cissy Wechter has found herself with a most unlikely title. Call her a "sexpert" for seniors. The new book written by this woman from Calabasas, Calif., "Sex & the 60s," (AuthorHouse, $14.95 soft cover, 309 pages), outlines her adventures as a suddenly single older woman in the Internet age, and offers advice and counsel to others in the same situation. "Dating at any age is hard," Wechter Read more...

QUESTION: My husband died a month ago from cancer. We had been married for nearly 40 years, and I thought we had the perfect marriage. He told me he wouldn't have been able to go on as long as he did without my support. But when I was going through his things, I discovered love letters from another woman. It seems they had an affair 20 years ago that lasted six years. I am shattered. How could he Read more...

QUESTION: My wife died from a heart attack nine months ago.We'd loved each other since school days and were together for nearly 40 years. I'm 61.To cheer me up, a friend suggested I go on [vacation] with him, and that's where I met a woman my age who's also widowed. We've seen each other several times since we've been home and we get [along] really well.We haven't had sex yet, because she doesn't Read more...

QUESTION: My husband died a year ago, and I've started a new relationship. My friends and family are horrified I'm involved again so soon.Even my sister, who's been a widow for 10 years and knows what it's like to be lonely, is against me.My new man is very caring and happy to take things slowly. We're not talking wedding bells, just enjoying each other's company. How can I make them see how Read more...

Each widow or widower has a different story, and each goes through healing at a different pace. They should be respected and admired their tenacity and bravery. Some find writing about their ordeal helpful. Dave, a Michigan widower, is putting the finishing touches on a book that chronicles his painful steps after losing his beloved wife. I'll keep you posted on when it is published. Jerry, Read more...