S3E7: How Social Support Increases Our Resilience to Loss with Pat Hiller
Description
In this episode, I speak with Pat Hiller. She was directly introduced to me by my mother’s friend. My mother and her friend are both active with At Home Alexandria, which describes themselves as a community for support, enrichment and fun for neighbors that are 55 and older.
This episode covers topics that may be triggering for some people. [TW: SI, mention of su*c*de].
Pat had two, long, loving marriages, the first for more than 30 years and the second one just shy of 30. Unfortunately, she had to experience both of her husbands passing away, as well as several other people that were near and dear to her. She also had to deal with the impact that these deaths had on her and her family. She was kind enough to share her experience.
In this episode we talk about:
- How she met each of her husbands through her social network
- The impact that being a primary caregiver had on that network throughout her life
- Her memories about what helped her through the loss of Arturo, her first husband
- Reflections on two different group therapy experiences
- The support network that her late husband Ron cultivated throughout his life
- The role that neighbors and hobbies have played for both of them in building relationships
United States
