Grief isn't linear, and neither is the path to finding love again after loss. When Judie McCoy lost her husband of 42 years to a sudden heart attack, she found herself at a profound crossroads. After the shock, denial, and anger subsided, she faced a crucial decision: would she let grief define her future, or would she choose to move forward?

In this deeply moving conversation, Judie shares her raw, unfiltered journey through widowhood with remarkable candor. From sleeping with her late husband's t-shirt on the pillow beside her to eventually opening her heart to new love, she offers wisdom that can only come from walking through the fire of profound loss. "I was not looking for another Gary, Judie explains, revealing how she distinguished between honoring her past love and being open to a different but equally meaningful connection.

Perhaps most striking is Judie's perspective on the difference between "moving on" and "moving forward." She beautifully articulates how she keeps her late husband's memory alive for her children and grandchildren through videos, memory books, and garden stones with personal messages – while simultaneously building a new life with her second husband, Fred. Their relationship demonstrates something rare and beautiful: how a secure, loving partnership can make space for the memories of what came before.

Whether you're navigating your own grief journey, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking to understand the resilience of the human heart, Judie's story offers both comfort and practical guidance. Her advice to "find something funny every day" and to recognize that "widows are women of WOW" reminds us that even after devastating loss, joy and laughter can return. Listen now to discover how love, in all its complex forms, can continue to illuminate our lives even after our darkest moments.