Calgary Herald

Local woman creates website for widows to share love stories

- COURTNEY LOVGREN

When Calgarian Jessica Waite became a widow at only 44 years of age, she found there were few places to share stories about the man she loved.

Waite noticed people did not want to ask about her story for fear of making her sad or making her cry, so she began looking for somewhere she could share — somewhere moving and inviting.

Not finding what she was seeking, she created endlesslov­estories.love in early February, a place for widowed people to share tales of their late loved ones.

“I wanted to give people a safe container to share their story, so that they could feel less alone if they were feeling lonely.”

Shortly after Sean’s death two years ago, when he suffered a heart attack on a business trip, Waite attended a birthday party for her brother-in-law, who was turning 60.

Everyone was sharing stories about how they met their husband or wife, and when it was almost Waite’s turn to share, the storytelli­ng was cut short when the birthday cake came out.

She didn’t get the chance to tell her story of meeting her beloved Sean in Japan and how they were both there to teach English classes, or about how she was a little nervous about their height difference — Waite was a little taller.

“I realized that people want to talk about the person they’ve lost, and I really did, but people don’t want to make you sad,” said Waite. “I wanted people to realize it was OK to ask me, and that other people wanted to be asked.”

At the time, she was thankful she didn’t get a turn to share. Waite’s story might have dampened the happy vibe in the room and she felt they didn’t want make her feel bad or awkward.

Waite said her website has been well received and people are happy to know it’s there. Users also say they feel much happier after sharing and seeing their story on the site.

She said she thinks some people are still shy to share because they feel vulnerable.

“I am hoping people feel invited and realize that it’s a good feeling when you see it in there and join the others,” she said.

Waite said she reads everyone’s story and leaves a comment in return.

I wanted to give people a safe container to share their story, so that they could feel less alone.

With permission, Waite will share a video of her reading a story submitted to the website, something she calls the Monday morning love story.

People have told Waite the videos are moving and that it’s nice to hear their story told by someone else.

Waite learned through grief presentati­ons and programs that the act of creating is healing.

“Making the website, having the (safe) container, getting other people’s stories and reading them has been healing for me,” said Waite.

Waite said it is important for people to know that even if you didn’t like English in school, feel like you can’t spell, or don’t know the rules of grammar, it doesn’t matter. All that does matter is the act of expressing the truth of whatever it is you want to express, she said.

 ?? COURTNEY LOVGREN ?? Jessica Waite and son Dash stand in front of a tribute wall dedicated to their late husband and father. Jessica Waite created a website to help other widows share tales of their late loved ones.
COURTNEY LOVGREN Jessica Waite and son Dash stand in front of a tribute wall dedicated to their late husband and father. Jessica Waite created a website to help other widows share tales of their late loved ones.

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