The immense grief of losing a loved one means that many people die within three years of their husband or wife, scientists have found.

Scientists discovered that 40% of women and 26% of men died within three years of their partner.

Researchers uncovered a variety of causes including cancer, heart disease, accidents and suicide.

Professor Paul Boyle, who led the study, said, "This is a clear demonstration that social effects, such as losing a partner, have an impact on life expectancy."

- News 15/11/2010

__________________

Here we are, here and now, this is our big moment in time. So let us try and do something - something good, something beautiful - with the precious years allotted to us.

https://holy-lance.blogspot.com

I used to know a couple who were inseperable, totally devoted to each other.

Then one day, the man died - they were both elderly.

To everyone's surprise the wife was strong and upbeat. Nobody could understand why. They put it down to 'delayed shock'.

They held the funeral a few days later. The woman thanked everyone for attending, said goodbye, and then went straight home and killed herself...

The power of love.

Yes, I think it's possible...I know of several cases like this where one spouse died & the other one died within one year or less.
Especially so when two people have been married for many many years.

I know of an elderly couple that was married for many years where the husband died of stroke, and the wife passed away three weeks later in her sleep. I imagine she no longer felt a reason to live anymore.

__________________
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~Immanual Kant~

Its not only bereavements of people close. For some men retirement from work can do the same. Their work is their life and when it finishes they cant find any meaning to life.

Of course spending more time with their wives may cause marital stress and bring on a death wish. (Only kidding ladies!)

I have to wonder about the husbands who die first.....does anyone ever bother to check for poisoning? Its a brave lady who can live with the old man for fifty years and then have him home all the time again...it would drive me bonkers...I would kill him!

__________________
God is and all is well
~John Greenleaf Whittier~

I think women generally live longer because they are afraid they will miss out on something.

Dan

I not only have seen this phenomena but I have seen husband and wife, both in hospice or hsopice and hospital at the same time, die within hours of each other. I would say that I saw this maybe 5 or 6 times in my hospice work.

I would not call it a reaction of greif but a planned intent on the soul level to travel closely together.

__________________