A Widow's Heart: Suffering in Silence

"A Widow's Heart" accounts for the author's journey of grief after fifty-one years of marriage. Vividly, she recounts the days up to her husband's death and the sorrow of learning to live alone as a widow. As the days turn into weeks and months, the memories of past years and her husband's illness become unbearable, even while crying out to God constantly. When the struggles become overwhelming, the author experiences specific encounters through God's word and visions that give her hope and a new identity filled with purpose. Through the conflict of soul and spirit, a ministry is born that includes two lifelong widow friends reaching out to widows suffering through the silence of grief. Through lives of surrender seeking God's will and guidance, the scripture in Job 29:13 b KJV is fulfilled, "And I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy." My name is Anna Horn, and I live in Martin County, a small town in Eastern Ky., where my husband Mossie and I raised our two children. I received my Bachelor's and Masters's Degrees in Communication Disorders at Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., and retired from the Martin County School system in 2016. God and family have always been a priority, so my husband and I endeavored to instill these values in our children. I've loved to read and write all my life, so I have compiled several journals that I hope one day will be an encouragement to my family. After Mossie's death in April 2021, the Widows Heart Ministry was birthed. I felt inspired by his life to write about my journey and to share my story with other widows experiencing grief and to take heart and know God will carry them through.