Today, I am beginning my 10th year participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge sponsored by twowritingteachers.org. I am so grateful to have this place to share my stories and to read the stories of so many people around the country and the world.
Since my husband, Chuck, passed away unexpectedly at the end of September 2025, I have been blogging about him on the Tuesday Slice of Life page. Losing the love of my life after being together for 52 years, married for 45, has been the hardest thing I have ever had to experience in my life. I was devastated, and learning how to navigate life without him has been so difficult. Going from “we” to “me” is something I never wanted to do, but it has been thrust upon me, and I am trying my best to honor Chuck and the life we built together.
So, with that in mind, I am going to focus my stories this year on seeking the joys in life. Chuck brought so much joy into my life, the lives of our children and grandchildren, and really everyone he met. I hope my search for joy brings new positivity to my days, especially on the really hard ones when I miss Chuck the most.
Please join me on this journey to find joy. I would love to read your thoughts and comments on my daily posts.
SOLSC#26
DAY 1
Rita DiCarne 
Rita, I admire you for sharing your feelings and experiences in the months since Chuck passed. Your focus on seeking to notice the “joy” in this world may very well take you to the impact Chuck had on you, your family and others. I wish you a “joy-ful” journey.
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The joy is there and I know you will find it. That doesn’t mean the grief will disappear, but that it will lessen and joy will take over. I wish you well on your journey.
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Rita, I’m delighted to see you are participating. Hopefully, you will find those precious moments of joy. May they build on one another and sustain you.
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Oh, Rita, I’m so terribly sorry for your loss. Focusing on joy this month is such a lovely way to honor Chuck, and I hope it brings some light and comfort to you as well.
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I am so very sorry for your loss of Chuck. I look forward to hearing the ways you find joy, when the “what if” becomes “even if.” Bless you, writing friend.
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Rita, I look forward to reading your posts this month. I appreciate your sincerity. Your words flowed so beautifully.
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Rita, these words moved me so, “Going from ‘we’ to ‘me’ is something I never wanted to do…” The joy you are seeking through this month honors him, he who brought joy to others, and it will help others keep going, too. So, thank you.
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