Loss of a Loved One

[onlinecommunity]

Welcome to a place to discuss the loss of a partner, family member, close friend or anyone significant in your life.

Everyone grieves differently. Your grief is as unique as your own fingerprint. However, while often immensely painful, grief is our natural healing process in response to loss.

Grief comes and goes, it can be intense and then manageable, predictable and then uncontrollable. It might be brought on by a recent loss or a historical one, be triggered by an anniversary or the dread of an approaching milestone.

This forum is a safe and emotionally supportive space. It is a place to be accepted and understood by others who can empathise with you. You can feel free to remember your loved one and tell us about your grief journey. Together we can learn to understand the changing nature of grief over time while sharing coping tools and ways to practice self-care.

Topic

[VM_Billie20]

Hi @katt, thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your story. What you’ve written makes complete sense, and I’m really glad you felt able to talk about it here.
It sounds like you carried an incredible amount of love and responsibility over many years. Being your ex-husband’s carer for 25 years, while raising your children together and navigating his illness, is such a profound role to hold. It also sounds like the two of you shared a very deep friendship and connection over those 31 years.Losing someone who has been such a constant presence in your life can leave such a huge space behind. I can really hear how empty the house feels now, and how difficult it is to face things like packing up his belongings. After supporting your children through their grief as well, it’s understandable that you might now be feeling the weight of it all yourself.
The grief rollercoaster you mentioned is something many people recognise too. There can be moments where things feel manageable, followed by waves where the grief feels very present again. Five months can still be a very tender time, especially after sharing so many years together. It also makes a lot of sense that packing up his room feels too hard right now. There’s no right timeline for doing those things, and it’s okay to move at a pace that feels manageable for you.
Please know we are here for you. If you want to talk about your grief and how you are feeling The Griefline Helpline is available from 8am to 8 pm 7 days a week on 1300 845 745. As well you are always invited to keep reaching out on this forum.

[katt]

Hi, I was a Carer for my ex-husband for 25 years. He became disabled after an accident when our children were young. As he had no family, we decided to live in the same home to raise our kids together and I could be his full time Carer. He was diagnosed with a chronic terminal illness a few years later. (cirrhosis of the liver with many complications) In October 2025 he lost his battle and we sadly had to say goodbye.
I have been able to support our now adult kids through this, but 5 months later I have hit a wall. We were very close friends and I am struggling with all that needs doing moving forward. I can’t bring myself to pack up all his belongings in his room. The house is very empty now. I am riding the grief rollercoaster and felt the need to reach out and talk about how I feel and how to deal with what comes next. After being his Carer for so long I now feel lost. He was my best friend, we shared 31 years together.
Wondering how others navigated through their loss.
Hope this makes sense.

[VM-flowerbear07]

Hello there @jankaw,

This must be such a hard time for you after losing your dear husband. Grief from a loss of somebody so close to us can be so incredibly hard to navigate, and anniversaries can make this feel even more challenging than usual. Reaching out is not always easy, though it is so very important to, especially when we are struggling; I am so glad you messaged. Please know we are here for you.

Sending warmth and care.

[VM_JJ]

Hi @jankaw

I’m so sorry about your husband. The first year and anniversary is especially hard. Both your grief and love for him continues at the same time, which is incredibly difficult. I would love to hear more about your husband and some of the memories you hold. If writing is helpful at all, some people find it comforting to write a letter to their loved one or journal some favourite memories. His memory lives on in your heart and you’ll always carry his love, his influence, with you.

Some of my go-to resources when I’m missing my person are these and I hope they might bring you some comfort:

Stephanie’s story: The shape love takes – a widow’s journey through grief, caregiving, and healing

https://griefline.org.au/resources/grief-recovery-part-one/ – this one is about focusing on your strengths.

You are resilient, kind and loving. We are thinking of you over this period. Please continue to share here. We are listening to you.

[jankaw]

My name is Janka. It’s going to be a year since my most beloved husband, my life, my everything died. I’d like to find a comfort and support in my deepest grief.

[VMPatch]

Hello @legs
It sounds like you have lost someone you loved dearly and it is natural that you are still feeling that loss and adjusting to being alone. You mentioned that you are concerned about your health and in particular your drinking and smoking. It is very common that we can use these things to help us cope with our grief. It is also good that you are becoming aware that these habits are impacting our health . When you are ready you can talk with your GP and/or ring the Drug and Alcohol Counselling Service in your state. Information is in the link below .
https://www.counsellingonline.org.au/
In the meantime I encourage you to keep reaching out for support . If you want to talk about your grief and how you are feeling The Griefline Helpline is available from 8am to 8 pm 7 days a week on 1300 845 745.
As well you are invited to keep reaching out on this forum.

[legs]

Does anyone feel like we are alone without actually feeling alone?
I miss my guy so much, he passed away February last year and I
am struggling with my inability to manage on my own.
He was my world and even though I have tackled the grieving process I
continue to find I am unable to move on, he is missed beyond words.
I find myself in a world of concern due to my drinking alcohol and smoking
of which I want to curtail.
I feel so concerned about my own health, finally, but I also need to ask for help
with my issues of not knowing where to go from here.
I would appreciate hearing from others that have dealt with this situation.
Respectfully, Sue-anne.

[VM-Rose123]

Dear @vickiminz
I’m so sorry to read about the loss of your husband of 50 years. I can only imagine how painful this must be for you after a half-century of shared life and love. Your description of feeling broken and not being able to see the future without him is very understandable and you are not alone in feeling that way after such a huge loss. You also mentioned that he was unwell with diabetes, dementia and kidney failure in the lead up to his passing, which must have brought big challenges for you over that time as well. Good on you for reaching out to Griefline and being able to articulate how you’re experiencing grief.
I just thought I’d also point you in the direction of some resources that are on the griefline website which may be helpful for you.

When a loved one dies: a guide to coping with grief and loss

5 Strategies On How To Deal With Grief

Please remember too, that you can always call the Griefline Helpline on 1300 845 745 (8am – 8pm, 7 days, AEST), if you would like to talk.

[VM-pi]

Dear @vickiminz,

I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. I can’t imagine the pain you are feeling after sharing your life together for so long. Just from your brief post, I can see how much you loved him and that you thought the world of him. It hasn’t been that long since he passed and it can feel overwhelmingly hopeless but this is a safe place for you to reach out and get the support you need. You are not alone in this.

Even if you just want someone to cry with, please call the Griefline Helpline on 1300 845 745 (8am – 8pm, 7 days, AEST).

[vickiminz]

I lost my amazing beautiful husband of 50 years on the 4th November 2025 and I am broken. I can’t stop crying I keep hoping he will come home. He was a type one diabetic for 44 years and he had dementia the last 5 years and he had kidney failure and he could not fight it.He was 73 years old. I can’t stop crying I see him when he passed away and I can’t believe it has happened I just loved him so much I can’t see my future without him there.

[Author]

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