We know that after your beloved spouse or partner is gone the friendships you cherished may become strained. You may feel like a third wheel with couples with whom you and your spouse shared many wonderful times. You may find that friends don’t know how to treat you, even feel awkward around you. For these and many other reasons your friendships of the past may change.
One of the true benefits of H.O.P.E. is that you will be surrounded by others sharing this same loneliness; the loneliness caused by the loss of a loving spouse or partner and long-time friends. Out of this shared loneliness we have seen countless new friendships blossom at H.O.P.E.
For example, we know of a group who met at H.O.P.E. and began going to lunch together after the meetings. Now years later you can still find a dozen or so of them every Wednesday at that same restaurant sharing laughter and sharing their lives. Another smaller group who met at H.O.P.E. over ten years ago still get together frequently and vacation together every year.
There are so many stories to tell but they are best told by a poem written by one of our alumni:
WHAT H.O.P.E. HAS DONE FOR ME
I’ve lost my spouse and I’ve been sad
But I have learned the way
To keep my faith and build my HOPE
By smiling every day.
Through H.O.P.E. I’ve made some special friends
And we still keep in touch.
We share the “happy memories”
Of those we loved so much.
We greet each other with a “hug”
We talk, we dine, we sing.
Sometimes we play a game of cards
Or do some “silly” thing.
Like clown around and tell some jokes
To keep our spirits high
And when it’s time to take our leave
We hate to say goodbye.
Yes, I have found that “life goes on”
It doesn’t pay to mope.
And this my friends is what I’ve learned
And what I’ve gained from H.O.P.E!
