Cowboy Bob Sorensen

by Cowboy Bob Sorensen  When I first heard about a comfort zone , I thought it meant being comfortable. Later I learned that even discomfort can be part of a comfort zone — which seems almost counterintuitive. A comfort zone is what one is familiar with for safety. Routines can be important in difficult times , such as after my wife Charlene suddenly died. Not only was I in shock from that, but also recovering from open-heart surgery. I need consistency in my life. Routines made things possible, such as going to work in the morning.  Looking down on Rosendale Trestle from Joppenbergh Mountain, Unsplash / Cowboy Bob Sorensen The workday routine involved setting out the next day's clothes, having lunch made and in the 'fridge, a container with medications and supplements, breakfast dishes set out, and all that good stuff. Very helpful during my bad time, but also when running on autopilot from being very tired. There are others, such as what television show I am going to watch (...

by Cowboy Bob Sorensen Wording adjusted December 7, 2024  Although my focus these days is on bereavement, this article will be useful to many people, grieving now or not. My hope is that people will see my experiences and adapt them as needed for their own unique situations. We all grieve differently from each other, and for people in our lives; the reactions I had for each of my parents and my oldest brother were varied. Their passing was not unexpected — unlike my beloved wife Charlene. (It has been almost seven months, and I cried writing these words.) Grief is not depression, but my lifelong struggle with it complicates matters. Part of me died with her. The Grief Fog When a loved one passes on, it is common to have a grief fog  hit us: We go into a kind of shock. Thinking is impaired, and bereavement counselors as well as booklets advise us to avoid making major decisions whenever possible unless a trusted advisor is available. (Sleeplessness often accompanies grief, maki...