THE WIDOW AND THE HOODThis is not just a book. It is a vista into the lives and times of "The Widow" whose change in status as a woman arose, upon the death of her husband. In certain cultures, her present state carries a stigma of abandonment and it is treated in different ways by different people in the society. She can be seen to be loved by all but beheld by none. Her agony is only fully appreciated by her God and her innermost self. She is most times a woman in utter distress especially in her inside. I write this book with a desire to share the tale and perceptions of others along the path of widowhood. This I believe will not only help you see through the window; but will show you the real "hood" in widowhood. It is what I call the in-close in the CORSET of the hood. Tied by the society, she is shaped by all as desired, mentally and physically. Why we ask and how they ask? I write this in the belief that it will not only help you see and act accordingly by showing you the in-close in the hood of a widow but will also help fellow sisters in my tribe to understand that they are not alone in this race. We are all wearing and walking with the same shoe, though our sizes and steps are different but the path on which we tread is the same. You are not the worst nor the best. Just understand that though situations do change, yet God never as his promises are ever the same. He is truly the same yesterday, today and forever. All He desires of us is to encourage and support one another. Let it be told to you that amid that beautiful smile lay a similar grieving pain of loneliness and fear with its shame in a fall. I have it even if you can't see it; the journey has not been easy for the past twenty five years. I simply handed my entire steps over to God and embraced with gratitude what his grace and mercy brings on my stairs. The hope in overcoming was grown from the solace of his endless love more than any human love. Stand strong, be confident; the dark cloud shall surely go away, it always does as long as you are determined in dexterity; a completely new dawn must arise. What you want and what you give in to it will decide the brightness of its glory. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30: 5).The sun must shine after the dark night for a morning must come. The day is still shining, don't wait for it in the darkness to come to you; walk to it and experience the joy of its rays. Your dreams didn't die, your aspirations are still alive, yes his loss is a pause but there's a phase which he handed over because he believes you can. Your joy can never be wiped off in the tears nor can it be destroyed in those pains. It is only your fears that are drowning them. You are the only life guard that can save the 'you'; take hold of the 'you in self' and move gradually to the brightness of the new moon. As life has all the weather, the rain, the summer/dry season, autumn/ harmattan and winter, each with means of enjoying it, so do situations of it. Find a purpose in your future and take the steps of departure from the past; a lot more joy awaits you at the arrival. The time it takes us to arise and move though differs, but it is until you decide and begin the move for it to happen; the sooner the best. The table of widowhood revolves on a pivot and touches everybody in its way, the ripple effect of it which we have often failed to accept is enormous. The color of life of a widow is painted with "the beauty" and "the beast". "The beauty" being her God and the "beast" is the Hood she is made to wear on her personality.