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Just Frances

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Category: Widow Life

Sadly, this topic is about just that: The impacts of widowhood on my life. Whilst the keyword “widowhood” is attributed to posts across a range of topics, posts under this category are specific to the mourning and grieving processes, the ongoing impacts that widowhood has on my life, and the art of “moving forward”. (Don’t worry: The posts are not all tragic and sad. I have found an odd form of happiness over the years.)

Posted on26 April 201628 July 2021Widow Life

April flowers

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on April flowers

Another year has passed since my beloved Paul died. And so, another year has been spent making the journey to lay flowers on his grave. I’d…

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Posted on10 January 201627 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Hopeful butterflies

by Just Frances4 Comments on Hopeful butterflies

I want to fly. I want to soar into the sky and touch the Heavens. I want to reach all of my goals; I want to…

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Posted on15 August 201527 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Balancing lonely and love

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Balancing lonely and love

Some days, I think about how lonely I am, and about how I want to find someone to share my life with. I think about…

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Posted on21 May 201525 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

I laughed

by Just Frances1 Comment on I laughed

Ten years ago today, I became Mrs Ryan. I stood there at the altar in front of God, family, and friends – with my beloved Paul beside me – and…

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Posted on6 May 201525 July 2021Health & Wellness, Widow Life

Alarming nightmares

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Alarming nightmares

For the last six years, I have experienced a wide variety of what I call “widow dreams”. Some are more upsetting than others, but they…

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Posted on25 April 201525 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Between sleep and awake

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Between sleep and awake

I rolled over this morning in a sleepy haze to snuggle up to Paul, sure he would be there lying next to me. But he…

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Posted on19 April 201525 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

The difference in grief

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The difference in grief

Eight years ago today, my dear friend Joe passed away. And next Sunday will mark the sixth anniversary of my beloved husband, Paul’s, death. And…

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Posted on9 April 201525 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Breaking points

by Just Frances10 Comments on Breaking points

Life is hard these days and sometimes I wonder what my limits are. Sometimes I wonder how many more disappointments and frustrations I can manage…

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Posted on28 March 201525 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

A widow dating rant

by Just Frances10 Comments on A widow dating rant

I think one of the hardest things about dating as a widow(er) is the guilt that comes along with it. Worse is that some of…

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Posted on1 March 201525 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Just a widow burden

by Just Frances3 Comments on Just a widow burden

From time to time, I get emails from people reading my blog. And today was one of those days. It seems that a relatively new widow, Lucy*,…

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Posted on27 November 201424 July 2021Widow Life

Birthday reunions

by Just Frances2 Comments on Birthday reunions

Today is Paul’s birthday and I am a mess. No matter how many steps I take forward, some moments in time send me sliding back…

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Posted on8 October 201424 July 2021Everyday Life, Widow Life

Shooing shoes

by Just Frances2 Comments on Shooing shoes

Well, I’ve done it. I’ve finally bought myself a new pair of black heels – nearly five and a half years after my last pair was purchased.…

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Posted on31 July 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Ancient blogs

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Ancient blogs

In preparing for a talk I’m giving next month about online reputation management, I went back and reviewed some of my old accounts. And that’s when…

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Posted on3 July 201419 October 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Exhilarating sadness

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Exhilarating sadness

I was so excited when I saw the Saw Doctors were on tour in Scotland. Well, Anto and Leo, at least. I was even more excited when I…

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Posted on21 May 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Nine years on

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Nine years on

Nine years ago today, I stood in front of God and my family and friends to profess my love and devotion to the man I…

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Posted on18 May 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

Inch by inch: Revisiting Inchcolm

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Inch by inch: Revisiting Inchcolm

I spent a wonderful day on Inchcolm Island, exploring the abbey and surrounding grounds. It was one of those happy days, despite there being a slight…

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Posted on27 April 201423 July 2021Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

Stopping for the (Mel)roses

by Just Frances2 Comments on Stopping for the (Mel)roses

On my way to England yesterday, I made a stop at Melrose Abbey in the Scottish borders. It had been about a dozen years since my last visit…

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Posted on26 April 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Although the storm still rages

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Although the storm still rages

Today marks five years since I lost my beloved husband so suddenly; so unexpectedly. You’d think that after five years it would feel like a distant memory,…

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Posted on24 April 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Talisker 10: A random memory

by Just Frances2 Comments on Talisker 10: A random memory

I bought a bottle of Talisker 10 today, and it reminded me of the last bottle I bought exactly one year ago. It was a happy memory…

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Posted on18 March 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

First kiss fears

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on First kiss fears

It’s been nearly five years since I last kissed my husband goodnight. It’s been that long since I’ve fallen asleep in his arms; since I’ve…

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About Just Frances

Just Frances is a personal website maintained by me, Frances Ryan. I am a quirky runner, writer, thinker, drinker, crafter, adventurer, and researcher. I am also a daughter, sister, aunty, friend, and widow. But mostly, I am just Frances. (She/Her)

I blog about my life, including my travels and adventures, my experiences with PKD and ITP, my life as a young(ish) widow, and my life in general, really. Learn more about the topics I write about here.

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