DEFINITION
    by Linda M. Lorenzo
Tacoma, Washington, 98406

It means reading Hallmark cards
"From both of us at Christmas"
And knowing I am not
Part of a "both anymore.

It means a hole in the middle
Of a large and empty, queen-size bed,
Rolling over to put my cold feet on
A warm back and finding instead, a
Cooling hot-water bottle.

It means hanging mistletoe
And knowing he won't be there
To catch and hold me under it.

It means missing the smell of his
After shave, the wet towels on the
Bathroom floor, and the cap always
On the toothpaste, now.

It means hearing Glenn Miller's
"Moonlight Serenade," and he's not
There to hold me close and
Hum in my ear.

It means eating dinner on a TV tray
With Tom Brokaw or Dan Rather
Instead of sharing his day
Over coffee by the fireplace.

It means being the "extra woman"
Instead of part of a fun couple.

Widow -- it really means
Alone.

Reprinted from Bereavement Magazine
November / December 1991
Reprint permission granted only if ALL the following is    
included:  
Published with permission of Bereavement Publishing,    
Inc., 8133 Telegraph Dr., Colorado Springs, CO, 80920


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