Being a widow is hard, but do you have those especially tough weeks where for some reason everything goes bad? Maybe your job has been overwhelming, with lots of work and no one to help out.  Or maybe your adult children are having problems of their own and they come to you for help.  It could be that your appliance has broken down, furnace needs maintenance, car won’t start – you try to fix them but have only made it worse. So, you have had a tough week, and the worst part is that you don’t have your loved one here to deal with your ranting and raving, to get you a glass of wine, make you laugh or see how it has become a bigger problem than it is. Tough weeks are hard when you are alone.  Prepare ahead by creating a list of dependable service stations, plumbers, electricians and other service people (including after hour phone numbers). Then when you need help you know exactly who to call. After a tough week it helps to write it all out in your journal.  Write what you learned and who was the most helpful to you.  Lastly, treat yourself to that glass of wine, soak in the tub or quiet walk. Tell me, what do you do when you have a tough week?