The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over.
- Deuteronomy 34:8
Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
- John 16:20
You have seen the stories in the newspaper. Husband and Wife both die within hours, weeks, months, of each other. You could also look at company newsletters and see all the people who died immediately after retirement.
And before anyone gets the wrong idea. I am okay. I think.
But as of writing this, I just went past two months after my wife passed away, so I guess I am well past the mourning period for the Israelites.
And over those two months, there has probably been no days when I did not have a tightness in my chest, a shortness of breath, and it felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest.
I have talked to the cardiologist, and he thinks it is probably just anxiety from grief. My pulse Oxygen is low, but in the normal range, very normal for me. My blood pressures are right where the cardiologist wants them. My pulse is abnormally high, but they have always been a little high and the cardiologist is not concerned.
But what about the person who is grieving, and they start getting chest pains, ignoring them, thinking it is grief? I wonder if that is why some spouses follow each other in death.
They say “Take care of yourself.”
Right now I am doing a hundred little things to get ready for the memorial in June, including cleaning the house for guests coming. I am trying to get my writing back on track. I have enough reason to be a bit stressed without the grief process.
But it is been an interesting question. If my cardiologist had not requested a review of recent blood pressure readings, I might have never called, and I still wonder about the others.
My pastor is not worried at all. He said I am still fairly young and I have a lot left to do. And that other statistic about retirees dying might be due to that, not having something to do in retirement.
As usual with my “A Thought On” posts. More questions than answers.
Regardless of how much time I have left, I wish to spend it praising my Savior.
Soli Deo Gloria. Only to God be the Glory.
Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley 
I can’t imagine a day without your praising God. Remember that He still has plans for you and His plans are so good.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You and our pastor have both responded the same way after I mentioned the idea of spouses almost dying together. Yes, my wife said, not knowing she had little time left, “If I go, you can write more.” So far, grief has made that difficult, but I am determined that after the memorial service is in the rearview mirror, I want to write more – just like she said. Thank you for your encouragement.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I write the blog: When the River Won’t Flow. I have been meaning to write to you since I learned of the death of your wife. My husband died just over three years ago. Grief can trip you up when you least expect it, or at least I have found that to be true. But that isn’t the end of the story. Keep writing, trusting in the Lord, and remember who and Whose you are.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for sharing. Between the church prayer team and my Sunday school class, I have several widows who encourage me. And I know in whom my hope rests.
LikeLike