As I stood in the kitchen, cooking salmon cakes and cabbage for the first time after my husband passed away, the familiar aroma filled the air with memories that both comforted and haunted me. Preparing one of his favorite meals—mixing the ingredients, heating the skillet—was a painful reminder of his absence but also a step toward moving forward. Life’s “firsts” after loss—hearing a favorite song, celebrating a birthday, or taking steps toward new relationships—are heavy with grief yet full of potential for healing and renewal.
Life’s firsts after loss are heavy with grief but full of potential for healing. Moving forward doesn’t mean leaving love behind—it means carrying it into the future. Share on XThe idea of moving forward without him felt impossible. How could I possibly move on without him? But as I sat down to eat, tears streaming down my face, something inside me shifted. It was almost like Reggie’s spirit whispered that life still held new experiences and joys for me.
At that moment, I realized moving forward didn’t mean leaving him behind—it meant carrying his love with me into the future.
