Growing Through Grief: Widowhood as a Catalyst for Spiritual Development

As baby boomers age, and men continue to die earlier than women, navigating the experiences of grief and mourning become more important for an increasing number of widows.

This book describes the process of spiritual growth for a woman when she has an active spiritual life before her bereavement; has a supportive network of friends, family, or church group; and refocuses the energy previously devoted to marriage and caretaking into other creative, artistic, and spiritual activities.

Attitudes toward grief resolution are changing. More and more people are encouraged to incorporate past relationships into revised identities that acknowledge trauma and grief and seek to grow from these experiences. A discussion of continuing bonds encourages us to change the conversation around grief and bereavement from one with a goal of closure to one of a revised, ongoing relationship with our deceased loved ones.

With the support of family and friends, and the grace of God, we can survive, but we must remember that it takes time, it won’t be easy, and some days will be harder than others. If we summon our inner strength, seek out role models, and exercise creativity, we will not only survive but grow through our grief.

After thirty years as an architectural technical writer and becoming a widow, Margery Buckingham pursued a life-long dream to study theology and philosophy. She earned a master’s degree in spiritual direction at General Theological Seminary in New York and a master’s in applied spirituality at South East Technological University in Waterford, Ireland. She provides individual and group spiritual direction and leads retreats on grief and spirituality in the second half of life.