Parables and Parallels providing emotional support to Widows

My name is Stella Smuts.After 30 years of marriage, my husband Peter, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer and passed away 3 months later. Nothing could have prepared me for the emotional roller-coaster which lay ahead. I read some excellent books about grief, but none told me how to cope with the day-to-day walk along the pathway called Widowhood.

There were so many wonderful people supporting me - my children, family and friends. So many flowers. So many meals. So many platitudes. So much advice was offered. I often compared it to being on one side of the tennis court at Wimbledon, with about 10 or 15 well known tennis champs lined up on the other side, and everyone served a ball of advice to me at the same time. I felt so alone.

Through Parables and Parallels, I will provide support and advice to Widows, from Widows. My research for this program includes my own experience and that of others. Many have no one to turn to who really understand. Each ones copes differently, behaves differently and reacts differently.

The Parables are our stories. The Parallels provide Widows with the opportunity to glean from the stories and apply what they need to, without ever having to compare themselves with anyone else.Their experience will become their own Parable.

2020 brings the celebration of my 60^th birthday. In lieu of gifts, kindly make a donation to this project. Thank you for your support, which is immensely appreciated.