Welcome to widowsbond.com. This website is a place for women suffering through the loss of their husbands to find comfort, hope, and a friend willing to be their companion on this journey of grief.

My name is Michele Hernandez, and my husband was killed in a bicycle accident on August, 31, 2005. When Phil died I was left, at the age of 35, trying to figure out how to function with a huge hole in my life, and in my heart. The pain that haunted me every waking moment led me to seek out other widows who had already survived the crushing loss of the man they loved. Through the experience of spending hundreds of hours with other widows, God led me on a journey that has been humbling and inspiring in equal parts.

With the intention of writing a book, I traveled the country interviewing other widows. I asked them questions about their daily lives, about what they had done with their husband's things, how they functioned in the world that they used to inhabit as a couple, and if there were things they did everyday to make it through this life shattering loss. I interviewed women of all ages, a member of an award winning band, a 9/11 widow, and women who lost their husbands to an amazing variety of illnesses and accidents. What I learned during my travels was that widows are survivors. Yes, you. You are a survivor. Right now you may not think so, but you can live through this. Other women have not only survived, but learned to thrive. But don't be afraid...healing does not require that you forget your husband, he won't be any less important to you--as your heart mends he will be a permanent part of the woman you will become. My mission grew from the idea of sitting in the safety of my office writing down my experiences to an outreach bigger, and more compelling, than I could have dreamed.                                                                                                 

The women I met throughout this process have changed the way I look at death and loss. They have inspired me to reach out, even through my own pain, to help other widows. Consider it a kind of "pay it forward" for widows...reaching out to hold up another hurting person lifts you up as well. You can participate in this outreach through the Widow Match Program. This free service matches widows of similar circumstances for email correspondence. Having a friend who really knows the ups and downs of widowhood makes the load easier to bear.

Join us in reaching out to each other. The power to survive lies in the hands of widows everywhere...reach out your hand and hold tight to your sister widows...together we can learn to live a life filled with love, promise, hope, and finally, joy once more. I promise.

Blessings,

Michele

Photo: Michele with three of the women she interviewed for her book. The photo was taken at a seminar Michele hosted in Simi Valley, CA. Pictured are Michelle Dippel (far left), Vera Brides (back row), Linda Kariya (middle front), and Michele Hernandez (far right). Thanks for joining me ladies, I appreciate you! ~M