Finding Love after Loss: John and Nancy

John and Nancy never expected to find love again, especially not in the wake of such a profound loss. Both had recently lost their spouses and they each turned to Western Reserve Grief Services for guidance. To their surprise, they found more than just support; they discovered companionship. This unexpected bond turned their path of grief into a new beginning filled with hope and healing.

Nancy and her husband had shared 56 years of marriage, two children and five grandchildren. Following her husband's passing from cancer, Nancy began individual counseling sessions with a Bereavement Coordinator from Hospice of the Western Reserve (HWR), a free service offered to those who have lost a loved one in HWR’s care.  At first, Nancy was doubtful about the counselor's recommendation to join a support group. “I’m not sure why I was so hesitant at first; I am a retired social worker,” she said. “But I know how important it is to talk to other people who have had similar experiences, so I thought, why not try it for myself.”  At the counselor's recommendation, she joined Horizons, a monthly support group for those who have lost a spouse or partner.

John's wife had been ill for many years before they turned to Hospice of the Western Reserve for end-of-life care. After 66 years of marriage, raising nine children, and being blessed with 20 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, John sought a way to navigate his grief. “I was really struggling and totally devastated after my wife passed away and I knew I needed help,” he said. John reached out to Western Reserve Grief Services and began individual counseling sessions. Looking for additional support, he started participating in the same support group as Nancy. To express his grief, John wrote a poem and shared it aloud with the group. After the reading, Nancy approached John to compliment his poem. “That was the first time we spoke, and I thought: that’s a face I can talk to,” said John.

John and Nancy regularly participated in the monthly support group meetings and joined the group's occasional social events at different locations around town. Arriving slightly late for one of the group's lunches, Nancy walked into the restaurant and spotted only one open seat at the table, which was next to John. As they chatted, they discovered a shared passion for poetry. "We started talking about poetry and after a while, we realized we were only talking to each other, which made me feel a bit guilty," John admitted. "But not too guilty, since I ended up asking for her contact information, and we started exchanging emails soon after."

Over the next few weeks, they met for coffee and, sharing a love of the outdoors, decided to take a walk in the Metroparks. “I brought a Billy Collins poetry book with me to show Nancy,” John said. “As it turns out, she knew far more about poetry than I did!” In their conversations, they found not only a mutual passion of poetry, but a deep connection to family and community. Most importantly, John and Nancy found a support within each other that helped them both move forward in their lives after experiencing grief.

For the past six years, John and Nancy have discovered happiness in the activities they enjoy together. They are very involved with the Solon Senior Center, participate in local library events, and enjoy breakfast at their favorite spots in town. Together, they have cultivated a vibrant life full of celebrating family holidays, joining friends for social dinners and providing mutual support and care. “It’s a good thing to try new things when your life has taken a sudden turn,” said Nancy. “Be willing to try and even if you attend a group and find out it’s not for you, at least you’ve given it a chance.”

As John and Nancy continue to navigate their journey of healing, they do so with the strength and support they have found in each other. What began as a shared sorrow in a grief support group has blossomed into a new chapter filled with hope, love and mutual understanding. Through the guidance of Western Reserve Grief Services, they have learned that even in the darkest of times, companionship can light the way to a brighter future. “When you are grieving, it’s very difficult to navigate through it yourself,” John said. “I’m glad I let Hospice of the Western Reserve be my guide, because it brought me here.”