I think what I am going through is loss of indentity. I loved being a husband and taking care of my wife as well as doing what was needed in running a home. Grocery shopping, house maint. I miss all that and of course, at the end of the day, being with my wife. I enjoyed cooking for my Sofia as well as doing the dishes after she made s gr8 chilli. And I so miss going to church with her, the sweet church we were married in. As time goes by, I know I will be doing o.k. but it won' t mean that I will be happy. I will be looking at life from a different attitude or maybe perspective is a better word.
Hello Ray, I too feel like I lost my identity. For 9 years after my mother's stroke I took care of her. I mean as a child I always said when the time came she would never be in a home but didn't realize I would actually be her caregiver and everything that it involved. Meals, medication, appointments, transfers, toileting, baths....etc. taking care of her was my whole life. Not she is gone and I feel like I don't have a purpose. I haven't worked in 7 years, in the last year I rarely saw my friends and forget about relationships. I don't want to do anything and the things I do just remind me of her. I know I have a long road ahead of me and I appreciate your story and I am so sorry for your loss. I did connect with your pain and confusion and just hope that it helps lessen my pain and confusion. Thank you for your words