Lynn Caine

Widow" is a harsh and hurtful word. It comes from the Sanskrit and it means "empty."

Our society is set up so that most women lose their identities when their husbands die.

Since every death diminishes us a little, we grieve - not so much for the death as for ourselves.

Bereavement is a wound. It's like being very, very badly hurt... You will grieve and that is painful. And your grief will have many stages, but all of them will be healing. Little by little, you will be whole again. And you will be a stronger person. Just as a broken bone knits and becomes stronger than before, so will you.