Here is a quote from "What to Do about Valentine's Day," by Cheryl Eckl, whose husband died of cancer in 2008:
The problem is that it's Valentine's Day weekend—which always brings up the whole idea of love. And, for widowed persons, the question of loving again after loss. Clearly, this is a matter I have avoided because, in surveying my present circumstance, I realize that I have, indeed, replaced my husband—but ... not with a sentient being. These days I spend the majority of my time with my desktop Mac, laptop, iPhone, and soon-to-be-purchased iPad.
Judging from the e-mails I have received from other widows, I suspect I'm not alone in this situation. But this lover's holiday does kind of rub my nose in the fact that there is nobody in my life right now who is going to send me flowers or take me out to a nice romantic dinner. My electronics may be interactive devices but they are neither thoughtful nor proactive when it comes to the most basic of human needs: relationship.
The original article was posted on Feb. 11, 2012 to Cheryl's blog, "A Beautiful Grief," which is hosted by Psychology Today.