Karen, thanks for checking in with us. I'm glad that you made it alright even though the church candle light service was so sad for you.
I feel sure that your Don as well as all of our loved ones would truly want for us to live on and the happiest that we can be until we see them again. I know it is easier said than done, but I guess this is what we should all try to remember. When we love someone, we don't want to see them sad or hurt. They love us and don't want us unhappy. We don't have to cry and be unhappy to prove that we love them.
God bless you too, and Happy New Year!
Lu

Karen, I'm glad to hear that you revisited the idea of giving the rings. A friend told me just a few days ago that when her husband died she wanted to give to people who were especially kind to her and she gave many things that she should not have parted with so soon. She said the emotional time is not a good time to do that type of giving. Another friend had told Bob and I that a couple of years after his wife died he realized he should not have made any big decisions for at least one year. He had sold their home, gave away most of the furnishings and electronics they had bought together - basically rid himself of everything that reminded him of her. I think I may be one that will tend to hold on to things too long rather than give them up too soon. We are flying by the seat of our pants here - we just have to do what we think is the right thing for us. And, as Lu points out in her post, they want us to be as happy as we can be. It's just hard to be happy when you feel like your inner self has been ripped away. Oh, I have happy times just as I have sad times but there is always a big part of me missing. I'm sure you understand what it's like to lose the one person who you always turned to - it's an awfully lonely feeling. This place helps me and I hope it's helping you, too.