Widow

For the past year I have hated the word “widow”. Yes, I know it is a Biblical term, but I hated it! The way I thought of a widow was a fragile gray-haired lady who falls apart and never does anything else in life. I did not want to be called a widow. Deep down I felt like the title of widow was shameful and signified being broken; like I had done something wrong. 

During the past year I have met quite a few other widows. Although some of them do have gray hair, not one of them is fragile, broken or complacent. Don’t get me wrong, all widows lives are broken apart when they loose a spouse but we are steadily being mended through the love of Christ. Each widow makes a daily (sometimes moment by moment) choice to push forward and continue life in the aftermath of loss. Widows aren’t fragile, they are tough!

My view of the word widow has changed drastically over the past year. Widows are strong, resilient, courageous women who continually get pummeled by grief but choose to keep getting back up and move forward. It is someone who has loved, lost, and continues to push forward despite the constant waves of grief knocking them down again.

“Widow” is not a title of shame but a badge of honor. My name is Kelly Clifton, and I am a widow.