Something Widda This Way Comes....

I know, I know...I've been teasing you.  Oh c'mon...you've enjoyed it, right?  What're the holidays without a few surprises??

I'm not engaged.  I'm not having a baby (I can actually hear my parents breathing a sigh of relief from across town).  And as flattering as it is that you think someone might want to make a movie about my life...I assure you my life is just not that interesting.

The news I'm about to give you....it's actually about you.

Welcome to a FREE social support website dedicated to anyone who has lost a significant other.

Now, I'm going to keep this blog short and sweet, because I really want you to be able to check out http://www.thewiddahood.com/.  I'll soon share with you how this came to be and the special people who helped me make this happen.  But for right now...I’m just so excited to see what happens when we all connect in theWiddahood...I’ll just touch on a few things.

This website has been created for anyone who has suffered this loss to finally be able to connect with others.  This is for ANYONE regardless of age, gender, religious beliefs, or gender preference.  You are welcome here if you were "officially" married, an unwedded widow, or a committed partner.  If you lost someone 30 years ago or last month...we are here for you.

TheWiddahood.com is your place to find comfort and peer support...whenever you need it. 

When you register, you will find 24-hour chat available, chatrooms that you can start whenever you want to, discussion forums, and a place to list where physical groups are meeting.  You will have your own private inbox so that you don’t have to share any personal information if you don’t want to.  Like Facebook, you will be able to share your status and comment on what your friends are up to, but in this case...you will have complete freedom to say what’s on your mind without worrying about offending an outside friend who might see it.

I know a lot of people, over the last few months, have started to worry about privacy issues on Facebook.  They worry about their comments showing up in their Newsfeed, their mother-in-law checking out what they’re saying, and other concerns that have people hesitating to participate.

This is YOUR site.  Create a username that is as anonymous as you need it to be.  Create several usernames...one for when you’re in a good mood and one for when you’re in a bad one.  It doesn’t matter.  You do whatever feels comfortable for you.  And I want to make sure that you know that I have NO interest in selling or distributing your information. That is outlined in the Privacy Policy on theWiddahood.com. 

And it’s also my personal promise to you.

A special Profile Builder has been created specifically so that we can find each other based on common experiences and location.  You do not have to fill out any fields you don’t want to...the only thing you need to get started on theWiddahood.com is an email address (that is not published) and a username.  But keep in mind...the more information you are willing to give, the better your chances are of hearing from others you can truly connect with...both online and locally.

Again...that's entirely up to you.

There are 2 open pages on theWiddahood.com that you don’t have to be a user to see:  One is a Resources page that lists national and local organizations (and if you have resources in your area that you think should be listed, I would love to know).  The second is The Widdahood Post, an area for writers to be able to publish their pieces about grief and coping so that others may find the support they need.  If you are a writer and would like to have access to publishing in The Widdahood Post, feel free to email me at catherine@thewiddahood.com.  We will in no way “edit” what you have to say...we just need to give you the ability to publish whenever you feel like it!

All of the other pages are private so that only those who have registered with the site can see them.

You all know that safety has always been a big concern to me.  I want all of us to feel safe and comfortable...especially when we are trying to work through our grief.  The Internet is a huge place filled with a lot of good people...and a few bad ones we wish would leave us alone.  We have done our best to set theWiddahood.com up so that spammers will have a pretty tough time getting in.  HOWEVER, should you see something strange or be approached by someone you think should not be on the site, I urge you to email me immediately (catherine@thewiddahood.com).  TheWiddahood.com has NO tolerance for predatory behavior.

With that said...please be watchful and take care of your friends.  I promise to do the same.

I can’t believe this day is finally here.  My hands are shaking as I hit “post” and my overthinking-brain is on overload, wondering what is going to happen next.  You have to understand...I think my life has been circling around this project ever since I lost my husband, when I was desperate to find support and felt that I had no place to go.  I just didn't know it until I met you all.  To see it finally happen...I’ve never been so nervous and excited at the same time. 

I guess you could call me “excervous.”

This is just the beginning.  There are so many other things I am anxious to do with this site.  And I encourage you to tell me what you would like to see.  It may take me awhile to get it all done, but I have so much hope and faith in this site.  And you.

So, click on over to http://www.thewiddahood.com/! 

We can't wait to meet you.


For more blogs and articles from other widow(er) writers, join us at www.theWiddahood.com!  


© Catherine Tidd 2010