Alyaa — Thanks so much for your message! So sorry to hear about your husband! Your story sounds so similar to mine! He was so young! And you still have the plastic bag? And in the closet?

You are absolutely right- defining a new life isn’t easy — its like climbing a steep hill that never seems to end — but its possible and it does get easier. You will absolutely make it and your kids will too — you will look back and you will think about how you conquered this! This is the most devastating thing that can happen — and yet we have the resilience to face it head on. I feel so heartened that you reached out to me. When I wrote this article I didn’t realize it would touch so many, but I am happy it did, and that I am coming into contact with amazing people like you. I am writing a book based on this article that is due out soon, and I hope I can also share it with you. It feels such such a treasure when others with similar experiences reach out after reading the article.

Remember that it does get better — and you can make it through this! Your kids will be fine and you will laugh again — and mean it! You will experience life in all its splendor and you will be able to tell yourself that you conquered this and so much more.