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Just Frances

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Tag: grief

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 on24 January 20241 July 2024Musings & Ramblings

Lessons in grief

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Lessons in grief

Today marks two years since my mother died and I am still heartbroken. She was my friend as much as my mother and her absence…

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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 on24 January 202331 January 2023Musings & Ramblings

Missing Mum

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Missing Mum

It’s been a year since my mother died. A year without her laughter. A year without her smile. A year without her friendship. It’s been…

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Posted on31 December 20227 January 2023Everyday Life, Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Goals 2022: Wrapping up and moving on

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Goals 2022: Wrapping up and moving on

With 2022 quickly making an exit, it’s time for my annual goal wrap-up and review. And then, I am ready to move on! My overarching…

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Posted on12 December 202220 December 2022Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Sunday Skype traditions

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Sunday Skype traditions

It’s been a year since my last Skype call with Mum. It was a “short” call lasting just 2 hours 33 minutes and 39 seconds.…

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Posted on2 October 20221 November 2022Musings & Ramblings

SuzieQ: Hearts and friendship

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on SuzieQ: Hearts and friendship

A month ago, I woke to the sad news that my dear friend didn’t wake up. The news came as a shock, and I wanted…

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Posted on5 September 202228 September 2022Travels, Adventures & Explorations

A coastal weekend in Northumberland

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A coastal weekend in Northumberland

I spent the weekend camping along the Northumbrian Coast in northeast England and I am feeling relaxed and rejuvenated now. It was a nice way…

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Posted on9 June 20224 August 2022Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Rosaries and rifles

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Rosaries and rifles

My mother’s funeral was yesterday. It began with a Rosary and ended with rifle fire. Just the way she would have wanted it. It’s still…

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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 on8 May 202217 June 2022Musings & Ramblings

Everybody’s mother

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Everybody’s mother

A few days ago, I shared a post about my mother and what she meant (means) to me. But she wasn’t just my mother, she…

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Posted on29 April 20221 May 2022Everyday Life

A tribute to my mother

by Just Frances4 Comments on A tribute to my mother

On Tuesday, 29 April 1947, my mother was born. Sadly, on Monday, 24 January 2022, she died. That means that she is not here with…

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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 on24 March 202213 July 2022Musings & Ramblings

From moments on Earth to eternity in Heaven

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on From moments on Earth to eternity in Heaven

Trigger warning: This post recounts my time with my mother in the last hours and moments of her life. It might be an upsetting or…

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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 on7 February 202227 February 2022Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Home and heartbroken

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Home and heartbroken

I arrived home in Scotland yesterday, a month later than my initial plan. Home, and heartbroken… My holiday was meant to be a wonderfully happy…

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Posted on2 February 20223 February 2022Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Barbara Ann (Eberle) Cook

by Just Frances4 Comments on Barbara Ann (Eberle) Cook

My mother died on Monday, 24 January 2022 and I have missed her since her last breath left her body. I will miss her forever,…

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Posted on31 January 202220 February 2022Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Road-tripping to Stonehenge

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Road-tripping to Stonehenge

My holidays home to America have been very different than expected. I planned to arrive just before Christmas to spend time with my parents and…

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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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