Women Connect Through Social, Charitable Activities at Highland Springs

Paula "Ann" Gordon wants women to know that although losing a spouse is undeniably life-altering, finding meaning, purpose, connection, and joy afterward is possible--as she has learned at Highland Springs, an Erickson Senior Living community in North Dallas, Tex.

Paula and her husband David moved to Highland Springs in 2016.

"At first, I didn't want to leave our great big house and pool that I loved, but David really wanted to come here," Ann recalls. "His health wasn't great. I wanted to spend time with him, instead of taking care of the pool. So, we moved here and got to spend time with each other."

A little more than a year later, David unfortunately passed away.

In 2021, when Ann realized that other widows like herself were sometimes feeling isolated, she decided to do something about it, starting a group called The Widow's Journey.

Now, reflecting on the support her neighbors and fellow group members have offered her, she notes, "Moving to Highland Springs was a wonderful decision."

Grief to gratitude

"I was so grateful to be here," notes Ann, who credits Highland Springs' resources and supportive community for her ability to move through the grieving process.

"We have a grief group here at Highland Springs, and counseling is available at the on-site medical center," she says. "I began reassessing the next stage of my life, which, when you're in the middle of grief, is tough. But I eventually moved from grief to gratitude, and then I started traveling."

She continues, "I knew a number of other widows, so I thought, 'Let's just get together.' Once I got us together, I asked everyone, 'What's the biggest problem? What do you need?' The biggest thing is, we need someone to do things with, to socialize with. We need people to talk to that understand."

"So, how do you move to being solo? You want to go to dinner, but you don't want to eat by yourself," Ann says. "One of the biggest challenges that widows had was doing something with someone else."

Hence, The Widow's Journey was born. Initially, the group had about 20 members. Now, there are more than 100.

"This group of women is just wonderful. Groups are traveling together and eating together," Ann says. "We really do try to support each other."

Fellowship and philanthropy

The Widow's Journey meets bimonthly, and members do much more than just travel and eat.

"We have six meetings a year and one anniversary dinner. In November, our anniversary dinner theme was 'The Great Gatsby,'" Ann says. "Throughout the year, meetings include speakers, projects, and always fellowship. We have celebrated other cultures, including a Hawaiian history program with a hula dance, and another on Brazilian life."

Other presentations have covered topics ranging from finances to the late Betty White's long life and career.

They also lend a considerable amount of time to philanthropic endeavors, including holiday projects for residents of Fountain View, the community's continuing care neighborhood. The group has assembled mini Christmas trees, Hanukkah bushes, decorative holiday baskets, and stockings to spread holiday cheer.

"We deliver them to their rooms and give the residents hugs and wish them well," Ann says. "This year, we also raised money for Wreaths Across America because we have a lot of widows who were wives of veterans." The group also delivered holiday cards to a local veterans' hospital.

Spreading support

The "Well-Being, Well-Meaning Spa Day" was a well-received Widow's Journey event where members enjoyed relaxing massages, facials, homemade lavender sachets, and a "sound-bath" demonstration. There was also a station where members could write thank you cards for Highland Springs staff members.

"We ended up with 165 cards to distribute to members of the staff, from maintenance and medical center staff to food service employees," Ann says.

She adds, "We also have an annual Widow's Luncheon to introduce new women to the group. We do different things to keep it interesting!"

Recently, widowers living at Highland Springs took note of The Widow's Journey group and decided it was a great idea. Now, the men are getting together, with about 25 members already.

'Incredibly grateful'

Ann, thankful to be surrounded by such compassionate friends and neighbors, is happy to see so many women benefit from the group as much as she has.

"Some women are at various stages of grief, but when you have support, it's easier to move to the latter stages of remembrance and gratitude," she adds. "The support is terrific, which is why I am incredibly grateful to be here!"

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