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Just Frances

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Category: Widow Life

Sadly, this topic is about just that: The impacts of widowhood on my life. Whilst the keyword “widowhood” is attributed to posts across a range of topics, posts under this category are specific to the mourning and grieving processes, the ongoing impacts that widowhood has on my life, and the art of “moving forward”. (Don’t worry: The posts are not all tragic and sad. I have found an odd form of happiness over the years.)

Posted on21 May 202424 September 2024Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Winning the bronze: 19 years of “married life”

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Winning the bronze: 19 years of “married life”

Today marks 19 years since I became Mrs Ryan. And much like every year when this day comes around, I am feeling quite sad that…

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Posted on26 April 202424 September 2024Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

The years in between

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The years in between

Today marks 15 years since my husband’s death and that means I am doing a lot of reflecting. Some of that reflection is about the…

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Posted on21 May 202324 September 2024Widow Life

An adult marriage

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on An adult marriage

Today marks 18 years since I became Mrs Ryan; since I laughed my way into a happy marriage as the Priest placed “odds” on our…

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Posted on26 April 2023Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

The lingering pain of widowhood

by Just Frances8 Comments on The lingering pain of widowhood

Another year has passed without my beloved husband and my heart aches from his absence these 14 years. Yes, the pain is softer now. But…

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Posted on20 February 202318 June 2023Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

On the cusp of ageing

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on On the cusp of ageing

I found a photo of Mum a couple of months ago, taken the day after her 48th birthday. As I looked at it, I smiled…

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Posted on21 May 2022Chronic Illness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Remembering red flags: Happy 17th anniversary, to me

by Just Frances2 Comments on Remembering red flags: Happy 17th anniversary, to me

Today marks 17 years since I became Mrs Ryan. And despite the absence of Mr Ryan, I like to mark this day as it was…

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Posted on26 April 202216 June 2022Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

13 years of missing Paul; of missing me

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on 13 years of missing Paul; of missing me

It’s now been 13 years since my beloved husband, Paul, died suddenly and unexpectedly. It’s a strange feeling, being this far from the immediate grief…

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Posted on21 February 202228 February 2022Everyday Life, Fitness & Exercise, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Blessings at 48

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Blessings at 48

Today, I am 48 years old. And today hurts. Not because I’m 48, but rather because I am now officially older than my late husband.…

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Posted on27 November 202128 November 2021Widow Life

Sixty years ago

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Sixty years ago

Today should be a big celebration to mark my husband’s 60th birthday. But, as with too many years before, he is not here to celebrate;…

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Posted on22 July 202121 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Older by a day: 47+

by Just Frances4 Comments on Older by a day: 47+

Today is not my birthday. But it does mark the day that I am older. Oh, sure, every day is a day that we are…

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Posted on21 May 202119 July 2021Widow Life

Sixteen and candles

by Just Frances2 Comments on Sixteen and candles

Today is my “would be” 16th wedding anniversary. Yes, it has been 16 years since I laughed at the altar in my hometown church and…

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Posted on28 April 20212 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Walking with grief

by Just Frances2 Comments on Walking with grief

I met a man when I was out walking the other day and the encounter provided me with so much to ponder about life –…

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Posted on26 April 20212 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Twelve years forward, mostly

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Twelve years forward, mostly

Another year has gone by without my husband by my side. After 12 years of this horrible widow life, I have come to know what…

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Posted on21 February 20214 July 2021Everyday Life, Fitness & Exercise, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

47 furlongs for 47 years

by Just Frances4 Comments on 47 furlongs for 47 years

Today is my 47th birthday and to celebrate, I ran 47 furlongs! Which I know seems weird, but I like to have a bit of…

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Posted on28 October 20204 July 2021Everyday Life, Health & Wellness, Widow Life

Widow dreams, again

by Just Frances2 Comments on Widow dreams, again

This morning was one of those days. It was one of those days when I woke up and I wasn’t a widow. I woke up…

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Posted on10 October 20204 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

A stroll down Memory Lane

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A stroll down Memory Lane

Over the past two months, I have gone back through every single one of the 1,400+ posts here on my blog, as part of the…

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Posted on21 May 20204 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Mrs missing Mr

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Mrs missing Mr

Today would have been my 15th wedding anniversary. And in this very strange time of social distancing and self-isolation, I find myself missing Paul even…

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Posted on26 April 20204 July 2021Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

A pilgrimage by proxy

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A pilgrimage by proxy

Today marks 11 years since my beloved husband, Paul, passed away so unexpectedly. His death has impacted my life more than I ever could have…

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Posted on5 January 20204 July 2021Everyday Life, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Stronger holidays

by Just Frances1 Comment on Stronger holidays

My primary goal for 2020 is to be a stronger and more confident me. But if I’m honest, it’s a goal that I have been heading…

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Posted on31 December 201916 July 2021Academic Life, Everyday Life, Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

A look back at 2019

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A look back at 2019

And with that, it’s time for another annual re-cap post. Although quite how we’ve got to 31 December 2019, I couldn’t tell you! Yet, here…

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About Just Frances

Just Frances is a personal website maintained by me, Frances Ryan. I am a quirky runner, writer, thinker, drinker, crafter, adventurer, and researcher. I am also a daughter, sister, aunty, friend, and widow. But mostly, I am just Frances. (She/Her)

I blog about my life, including my travels and adventures, my experiences with PKD and ITP, my life as a young(ish) widow, and my life in general, really. Learn more about the topics I write about here.

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