life boat

I am trying to read "When husbands die"(another gift from Marianna).  I was initially turned off by the title  and still am having a hard time.  It was written by Smith Alumni which is interesting to me since the school is in the next town and Ruth worked there.  Ruth would tell me stories of the wealth of the alumni and the social decorum.  I guess thats why I am having difficulty relating.  She also had a difficult time working there and felt released when she was let go from the position.

Many of the women in the book feel some release from their husbands death (as is natural from prolonged illness).  Of course I did not want Ruth to feel more pain but I do not feel released.

Most of the women are over 60.  Not to say that is that far away from me but having a 4 year old makes it further.  I searched for the small percentage of women who were younger but as the book says "Obviously the women with young children were busy beyond belief.  They had little time to meet the needs of their own grief"

It is true I feel often my energy is focussed toward Bennett and her grief.  This is not bad.  I rely on her to guide me through my own grief.  I often feel like we are on a life boat at sea.


Mary and Ruth - young and older.  they shared a boat through life.