Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

By: Jill Pertler

I never saw it coming; this life I now live.

I had things so planned out. They’d been in place for more than three decades and my husband and I were finally going to enjoy the things we’d worked so hard to attain.

And then he died. Just like that.

So here I am.

It would be tempting to talk about how all this sucks. Because much of it does.

But this last year has opened doors and afforded me possibilities that never would have occurred if he were still here. It’s changed me in ways I never would have seen coming. And as much as I wish he were here, this is what I’ve...