According to a recent article, losing a spouse makes men 70% more likely to die within a year. Is that true? If so, what's the reason. Abel Keogh talks about the study, how men grieve, and some widower psychology 101.
The Runner: A poem by Abel Keogh
The Runner
Amidst the clamor and the fray,
The runner emerges to start his day,
For in the act of running, he does find,
A respite from life and peace of mind.
His face to the wind, his back to the sun,
He presses forward, his journey begun,
Heart and lungs find their steady pace,
And worries fade as he starts the race.
With a rhythm to follow, a beat to keep,
His breathing is steady, his strides so steep,
Each step a note, music in flight,
Rhythm in motion, a glorious sight.
For the runner knows with every mile,
There’s sense of self, a reason to smile,
A discipline, a purpose, a journey to pursue,
A life moving forward, a dream come true.
— Abel Keogh
4/29/2023
A Dance of Wings
A Dance of Wings
Love is a fierce and fickle thing,
A tempestuous storm, a dance of wings,
But in her eyes, I found my home,
A love so true, no more to roam.
— Abel Keogh
4/22/23
5 Reasons Widows and Widowers Should Tell Their Family They're Dating Again.
A woman writes to Dear Abby, worried her relationship with recent widower will upset his family. Dear Abby says to wait to tell them. Abel thinks otherwise. Watch his video to find out why.
The Specter
The Specter
A silent, shapeless specter looms,
In the darkness of our rooms,
It beckons us, with somber grace,
To our final, earthly resting place.
It rends apart our closest ties,
And fills our hearts with aches and sighs,
For those it takes, we grieve and mourn,
Till life's last breath and we are reborn.
Don't Confuse Dating and Therapy
Your date is not your therapist. Dating is not therapy.
Signs of Resurrection
Signs of Resurrection
As nature shifts from sleep to wake,
The earth begins its grand remake.
With lengthening days and warming air,
New birth and growth are everywhere.
The buds on branches, small and tight,
Unfurl their leaves at sun's first light.
Daffodils nod their yellow heads,
And robins sing from garden beds.
Each green shoot, each budding flower,
Remind us of life's enduring power.
For these are signs of resurrection,
A promise of hope and new direction.
— Abel Keogh
4/8/2023
When is a Relationship Dealbreaker a Dealbreaker?
What if you're dating someone who has different political views or other beliefs? What if they don't enjoy the same activities? When do those issues become dealbreakers? The answer may surprise you.
Partner Loss Panel and Healing After Loss
I recently had the opportunity to participate in a Partner Loss Panel with Michele Neff Hernandez, Jill Johnson, and Karla Wheeler. It was part of The Open to Hope International Day of Healing After Loss. You can watch the panel session below.
Spring Snow: A Poem
Spring Snow
Late March's winds doth chill and bite,
A snowstorm fierce, a winter's sight,
With icy flakes that veil the sky,
And gusts of wind that howl and sigh.
Yet mingled with this icy grace,
There's also fear etched on each face,
For winter's grip doth hold us tight,
And keeps us locked in chilly night.
The winds may blow and snow may swirl,
Yet nature's calm remains unfurled,
For soon the thaw will break the spell,
And winter's grip shall bid farewell.
— Abel Keogh
3/25/2023
