as a lead up to the 10-year anniversary of 9/11, the washington post has been featuring a series of stories focused on different people/families affected by the events of that day.
one particular article focused on a widow and her family, 10 years later, dealing with their "new normal." though the circumstances of Jarronn's death are certainly different, i found the article deeply moving and could relate to so much that was described in it, even some of the words the widow used are ones i've heard come out my own mouth. a few examples...
being ok, but being a mess.
not expecting to get better, and not knowing if you want to, because what does that really mean?
searching for an identity outside of the loss.
losing 10 pounds in a week.
selective self-disclosure.
"i guess God thinks i am stronger than i thought."
trying to draw the line between remembering and living.
feeling like it's foolish to plan ahead.
and there's no such thing as perfect control. sometimes planes crash.
it's a long read, but i think it's really worthwhile. as someone who spends a lot of time writing, i thought the reporter (eli saslow) did an exceptional job.
9/11 widow still trying to find her new normal since the Pentagon attack
