I love you like this because I don’t know any other way to love,
Pablo Neruda, One Hundred Love Sonnets: XVII
except in this form in which I am not nor are you,
so close that your hand upon my chest is mine,
so close that your eyes close with my dreams.
19 years ago today, Rob asked me to marry him. As he fumbled to unpin the diamond ring from the inside of his jacket pocket, I thought he was joking. We’d only known each other six months. Though I’d known for a while that I wanted to marry him, I was surprised when he popped the question.
For all the years that followed, I knew exactly who I was. I was myself, yes; but I was also Rob’s. I belonged to and with someone. Our marriage became part of my identity in an intimate, beautiful way. To borrow from Pablo Neruda, I knew no “other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you.” I loved our one-flesh life.
The death of a spouse is, among other things, a crisis of identity. I’m not single. That’s what I was before I met Rob. I’m not married now either. (Just ask my accountant or my attorney.) I’m not unattached because death doesn’t separate bonds of love. But I’m also free to form new relationships. Rob even encouraged me to do that if he died young. In a world that uses labels to organize reality, I find that only one really fits me now — widow. I still cringe when I say the word myself. I never wanted to be Rob’s widow. I wanted to be his wife.
I can’t fully express what it feels like to change your emergency contact because your husband is dead. I can’t adequately describe the tightness that fills your throat when you check the box “widowed” on a form, when only months or days ago you checked the “married” box beside it. I can’t begin to communicate the deep grief that floods your body and overwhelms your soul that first time you try taking off your wedding ring. When you look down and see your finger suddenly naked, abandoned. When you realize you no longer know even your own body without him here. You are now a stranger to yourself. When you start to realize what “widow” really means.
I said “yes” to Rob that night. When we sat down at a restaurant soon after, he proudly announced to the waitress right away, “We just got engaged!” Already, we knew who we were. No longer two, we were already one. An item. Together. We belonged to each other from that day on.
For the rest of my life I will wrestle with how to put words to this beauty and pain of loving and losing. I will grieve the pain of this unwanted change. I will sorrow over how Rob’s death has amputated, how part of me is gone forever. I will draw comfort always from the many ways he remains a part of me even though he is gone. How I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine is a truth that defies the grave. I will work to allow death to remake me in all the ways Rob always said it could. And, no matter what lies ahead, there will never be a me without him.
“I will grieve the pain of unwanted change. I will sorrow over how Rob’s death has amputated, how part of me is gone forever.” … All of us, some in more obvious and painful ways that others, walk with a limp. Yours is very distinct, and I am so sorry. Since I lost my only son when he was 21, my limp is obvious, too, although in a different way from yours. … “How many children do you have?” “Tell me about your kids.” By God’s sheer grace and mercy, as time as passed I I have learned, however haltingly, to walk with a victorious limp. Even though I still miss my son Ian every day, God has been gracious, merciful and kind to me, and I believe he will be to you, too, Clarissa. Though I have gotten used to my limp, sometimes it is pretty obvious to others and it still stings me from time to time. By the touch of God’s Spirit, I pray and hope that you will have joy beyond the grave, even in this life. May your limp be increasingly, even surprisingly, joyful and victorious, even though the sting of Rob’s death will never leave you in this life. Lord, may it be so for your daughter Clarissa …
You are an amazing a gifted writer- Keep it coming!!
So beautiful So painful❤️
Clarissa, again your words capture my heart and life as a widow.The quote from Pablo Neruda is spot on! I thank you for putting into words what so many of us feel but don’t know or are afraid to express. May God continue to bless you, your family and your ministry.
Oh Clarissa . Just reading your posts after linking from your TGC Thanksgiving article. Walking with a dear friend who has become a widow like you this year and sent your site to her immediately. I know it will encourage her.
Having lost a daughter I can relate to much of your thoughts on grief and discovering grace in it. This place of my deepest pain has also become the place where I’ve encountered the living God in deeper and richer and life -giving ways than ever before. I pray the same for you as you keep pressing into the pain of this incredible loss. I’m so so sorry. Prayers for your family from Florida.
Barry Loy encouraged me to connect with you.
What I read is strength within your sorrow, the sovereignty of Christ shines through.
My husband passed away ( I can’t bring myself to say the “d” word- it’s too harsh) he was a strong healthy man at 53 covid destroyed what God had created. I am angry I am hurt and I am sad. As partners for life from the time I was 18 we became one, a huge part of me passed away with him, I don’t want to learn how to replace that just yet, I believe i will in time but for now I struggle to let go of who we were together. He passed away 10/27/2021. Our oldest daughter had just gotten engaged in September 2021 now we plan the wedding for October 2022 without her dad to walk her down the isle or to have the father daughter dance. Eveytthing about every day is more difficult.
Looking forward to reading more of tour story.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss of your husband. This is such a hard road you have been asked to walk.