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Just Frances

Just Frances

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Tag: widowhood

My life as Just Frances is quite intertwined with my life as a widow, so this is a well-used tag. Posts here will be related to grief, but also to the re-imagining of my life as “just” Frances.

Posted on26 April 2023Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

The lingering pain of widowhood

by Just Frances2 Comments on The lingering pain of widowhood

Another year has passed without my beloved husband and my heart aches from his absence these 14 years. Yes, the pain is softer now. But…

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Posted on5 November 20226 November 2022Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Rebel diarist: My journey from “Dear Diary” to a life record

by Just Frances4 Comments on Rebel diarist: My journey from “Dear Diary” to a life record

I have long kept a journal or diary of some fashion or another. Indeed, I began dabbling in the art of journalling as a young…

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Posted on21 May 2022Chronic Illness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Remembering red flags: Happy 17th anniversary, to me

by Just Frances2 Comments on Remembering red flags: Happy 17th anniversary, to me

Today marks 17 years since I became Mrs Ryan. And despite the absence of Mr Ryan, I like to mark this day as it was…

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Posted on26 April 202216 June 2022Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

13 years of missing Paul; of missing me

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on 13 years of missing Paul; of missing me

It’s now been 13 years since my beloved husband, Paul, died suddenly and unexpectedly. It’s a strange feeling, being this far from the immediate grief…

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Posted on21 February 202228 February 2022Everyday Life, Fitness & Exercise, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Blessings at 48

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Blessings at 48

Today, I am 48 years old. And today hurts. Not because I’m 48, but rather because I am now officially older than my late husband.…

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Posted on27 November 202128 November 2021Widow Life

Sixty years ago

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Sixty years ago

Today should be a big celebration to mark my husband’s 60th birthday. But, as with too many years before, he is not here to celebrate;…

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Posted on26 November 202128 September 2022Academic Life

The dream job: Frances the University Lecturer

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The dream job: Frances the University Lecturer

I have a new job; one that I have dreamt of for more than 20 years. Yes, as of this week, I am a Lecturer*…

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Posted on18 September 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

20 years of Scotland

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on 20 years of Scotland

Today marks 20 years since I first arrived in Scotland for “just one year” as a study abroad student. At the time, I never expected…

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Posted on5 September 202113 September 2021Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Running with nature

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Running with nature

A few years ago, I shared my thoughts on (and reasons for) running with music. Despite previously being a “no music” runner, widowhood meant that…

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Posted on22 July 202121 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Older by a day: 47+

by Just Frances4 Comments on Older by a day: 47+

Today is not my birthday. But it does mark the day that I am older. Oh, sure, every day is a day that we are…

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Posted on21 May 202119 July 2021Widow Life

Sixteen and candles

by Just Frances2 Comments on Sixteen and candles

Today is my “would be” 16th wedding anniversary. Yes, it has been 16 years since I laughed at the altar in my hometown church and…

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Posted on10 May 20212 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Mental Health Awareness Week: Nature as therapy

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Mental Health Awareness Week: Nature as therapy

Welcome to Mental Health Awareness Week! This year’s theme is “Nature as Therapy” and is a theme I can really get behind. I mean, I…

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Posted on28 April 20212 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Walking with grief

by Just Frances2 Comments on Walking with grief

I met a man when I was out walking the other day and the encounter provided me with so much to ponder about life –…

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Posted on26 April 20212 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Twelve years forward, mostly

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Twelve years forward, mostly

Another year has gone by without my husband by my side. After 12 years of this horrible widow life, I have come to know what…

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Posted on23 March 20214 July 2021Everyday Life, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

The year that wasn’t: My year of COVID19 isolation

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The year that wasn’t: My year of COVID19 isolation

Today marks one year since the UK’s COVID19 lockdown measures became “law” – three days after the “stay home” orders were announced. Since then, the…

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Posted on28 October 20204 July 2021Everyday Life, Health & Wellness, Widow Life

Widow dreams, again

by Just Frances1 Comment on Widow dreams, again

This morning was one of those days. It was one of those days when I woke up and I wasn’t a widow. I woke up…

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Posted on10 October 20204 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

A stroll down Memory Lane

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A stroll down Memory Lane

Over the past two months, I have gone back through every single one of the 1,400+ posts here on my blog, as part of the…

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Posted on24 May 20204 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Coping with COVID19 self-isolation

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Coping with COVID19 self-isolation

As Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) wraps up here in the UK, I find myself reflecting on my mental health in relation to the COVID19…

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Posted on21 May 20204 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Mrs missing Mr

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Mrs missing Mr

Today would have been my 15th wedding anniversary. And in this very strange time of social distancing and self-isolation, I find myself missing Paul even…

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Posted on26 April 20204 July 2021Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

A pilgrimage by proxy

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A pilgrimage by proxy

Today marks 11 years since my beloved husband, Paul, passed away so unexpectedly. His death has impacted my life more than I ever could have…

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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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