Sarah Neeley

I did not mean to say it. I never even thought of myself as such. Widows are little old ladies. Widows are…ME!

I was giving a talk to new employees on families and culture not long ago. I try to make discussions personal so people can relate. I was talking about family roles and I said that in my family of origin I was the… (insert family role here). I said, “In my family I am the mother, daughter, widow, and sister.”

Stop. Did I just admit to that?

I do not believe in labels or stereotypes but I do believe we need to acknowledge the truth. I am a widow.

Speaking the truth is a good idea.

Sarah Neeley is Alive Hospice’s clinical nurse educator.