I know so many think it.
Heck, some even admit it to me.
Why do you talk about Michelle so much?
Aren’t you worried your blog and all that you write is going to make it harder to meet someone?
No, I’m not. Thanks for asking though.
For all of those who talk about their late loved one.
For all those who talk about their loss.
This is why we talk about them.
**Hint: It is NOT for attention**
We talk about them because we love them. In life. And in death.
We talk about them because they are still a part of us. And always will be.
We talk about them because the love we shared and the loss we endured have shaped us into the person we are today.
We talk about them because we find it therapeutic. For our minds. For our hearts. For our souls.
We talk about them because it helps us. And we hope it will help others.
We talk about them because the memories make us happy. And we need to feel that.
We talk about them because the memories make us sad. And we need to feel that.
We talk about them because we want the world to know the struggle.
Of cancer. Of suicide. Of drug addiction. Of heart disease. Of sudden death. Of terminal illness.
The struggle of loss.
We talk about them because we want you to appreciate what you have. Because in hindsight, we realize we may not have.
We talk about them because they are still ours. And we are still theirs.
We talk about them because in the day to day grind that is life, we sometimes feel them drifting away. And we know that talking about them will make us feel closer to them today.
We talk about them because we want to.
We talk about them because we need to.
And yes, sometimes, we talk about them because nobody else is.
It is now our responsibility to carry on their legacies.
We talk about them because we take that responsibility very seriously.
When Michelle was sick and dying, she would often tell me of her fears that everyone would forget her. That she would become a distant memory. That nobody would speak of her anymore. That it would be like she never existed.
Nope. Not going to happen. Not on my watch. Not now. Not ever.
We talk about them because we refuse to let them be forgotten.
–
Join The Good Men Project Community.
The $50 Platinum Level is an ALL-ACCESS PASS—join as many groups and classes as you want for the entire year. The $25 Gold Level gives you access to any ONE Social Interest Group and ONE Class–and other benefits listed below the form. Or…for $12, join as a Bronze Member and support our mission. All members see the site AD-FREE!
Register New Account
◊♦◊
Your ANNUAL PLATINUM membership includes:
1. Free and UNLIMITED ACCESS to participate in ANY of our new Social Interest Groups. We have active communities of like-minded individuals working to change the world on important issues. Weekly facilitated calls that lead to the execution of real-world strategies for change. Complete schedule here, with new ones starting all the time. We now offer 500 calls a year!
2. Free and UNLIMITED ACCESS to ALL LIVE CLASSES. Learn how to build your own platform, be a better writer, become an editor, or create social change. Check out our training sessions. As a Platinum member, you can take them all.
3. Access to our PREMIUM MEMBER LIBRARY with our recorded ConvoCasts and classes. ConvoCasts are a new form of media—and you are in them! Only Platinum Members get access to our recordings. And recordings of our classes are really valuable for those who do not have time to take the live classes or just want to review.
4. An ad-free experience. No banner, pop-up, or video ads when you log in.
5. Weekly conference calls with the publisher and other community members. Our weekly calls discuss the issues we see happening in the world of men in a friendly group setting.
6. PLATINUM member commenting badge. Only members can comment!
Price for ANNUAL PLATINUM membership is $50/year.
♦◊♦
Your ANNUAL GOLD membership will include:
1. Free access to any ONE Social Interest Groups.Try them out! We have active communities of like-minded individuals working to change the world on important issues. Weekly facilitated calls that lead to the execution of real-world strategies for change. Complete schedule here, with new ones starting all the time.
2. Free access to any ONE of our live classes. Each month, we have the following: Learn how to be a Rising Star in media, build your own platform, become an advanced writer, become an editor or create social change. Check out our classes here. RSVP for any one class—if you want to take more, just upgrade to an Annual Platinum Membership.
3. Invitation to Weekly Friday Conference calls with the Publisher and community. Connect with other members online and by phone!
4. An ad-free experience. No banner, pop-up, or video ads when you are logged in.
5. GOLD commenting badge. Only members can comment on the website!
Price for ANNUAL GOLD membership is $25/year.
♦◊♦
Your ANNUAL BRONZE membership will include:
1. Invitation to weekly conference calls with the publisher and community. Connect with other members, network and help us lead this conversation.
2. An ad-free experience. No banner, pop-up, or video ads when you are logged in.
3. BRONZE member commenting badge. Only members can comment on the website!
Price for ANNUAL BRONZE membership is $12/year.
We have pioneered the largest worldwide conversation about what it means to be a good man in the 21st century. Your support of our work is inspiring and invaluable.
◊♦◊
“Here’s the thing about The Good Men Project. We are trying to create big, sweeping, societal changes—–overturn stereotypes, eliminate racism, sexism, homophobia, be a positive force for good for things like education reform and the environment. And we’re also giving individuals the tools they need to make individual change—-with their own relationships, with the way they parent, with their ability to be more conscious, more mindful, and more insightful. For some people, that could get overwhelming. But for those of us here at The Good Men Project, it is not overwhelming. It is simply something we do—–every day. We do it with teamwork, with compassion, with an understanding of systems and how they work, and with shared insights from a diversity of viewpoints.” —– Lisa Hickey, Publisher of The Good Men Project and CEO of Good Men Media Inc.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Yes, we do. Thank you for your post! <3
I lost my husband 18 yrs ago . When I met some one new ,One of my dearest friends told me that it was good because I talked about my husband too much.Now my new husband and I talk about our late spouses all the time.
I talk about Him too❤️
I love this and I feel exactly the same way. I will always talk about my late husband bc he was such a great part of who I am today.
John, sorry for your loss. Beautifully stated, as for me, it hurts deeply when others don’t speak of my husband who passed unexpectedly 9 1/2 months ago. Yes, it does hurt when people mention him too, but that is because of the memory and great love and I wouldn’t give that up, except unless it would bring him back. His birthday is St. Patricks Day,, another tough first to handle and relive the past ones. Lost my dad also unexpectedly 16 days later. They both will live on as I will always speak of them with great love and immense… Read more »
Awesome! Thank you❤
This is beautiful. And exactly! Thank you for putting into words what we can not. Let’s keep talking about them!! – Barb, widowed 12/2/2013 after 14 years of marriage to Jeff, the love of my life.
It will be 12 years that my husband passed away. Tom’s always on my mind and yes, I will talk about him to anyone who will listen. Thank God for the great memories of him, they’ll never leave me.
I’m sorry for your loss Becky, keep talking.
John, thank you for your heartfelt words. I speak about my beautiful Wifey, Linda, who passed away nearly two years ago quite often. Just like you said, sometimes in joy, sometimes in sadness. Your article really touched my heart and so many of the things I still feel.
Thank you for your feedback Bob. I’m sorry for your loss.
Thank you, I love this and I hope it reassures folks that we want our loved ones brought up. I am so happy when someone shares a memory or thought about my husband with me. It really is ok to speak about them, more than ok.
I agree Linda. I’m sorry for your loss.
Thank you for putting into words what so many of us who have lost someone are experiencing
Thank you for reading it Cathie.
what a beautiful, touching article. I need to talk about my daughter and husband, no longer with me, but ALWAYS heart. I will share this with everyone!
Thank you Gloria. I am so sorry for your losses.
Keep right on talking, brother. Few are those that have had such love that they would. My wife is alive and I brag about her all the time. That would not, nor should it stop. Ever.
🙂
I agree 1000%
I speak of my dead husband often.
Thank you for writing this.
Thank you for reading it. I’m sorry for your loss.