Scathed, most definitely. @Cruiser, my husband passed three years ago and I am still very much in the aftershocks. We were married 33 years, add on the courting years and it was more like 37. We were set to enjoy our golden years together and then “it” happened. Digging out emotionally and practically has been quite consuming for it changes EVERYTHING, or sure feels like all is different. I am struggling to re-create my own life and not be an add on to someone else’s while in this transition. I do know that staying in the moment and being aware of what’s happening with the 5 senses is a good thing. Guess you could call it trying to “smell the roses”