Losing a loved one can be tough, especially when you have kids with them. That’s the challenge Gary Andrews found himself in when his beloved wife passed away. The two had been happily married for 19 years and had two daughters.
Gary is a former Disney illustrator so when she died, he grieved through his doodle diary. He told The Daily Mail:
“I was crying so hard it was difficult to focus on the page. I was drawing through tears. Joy had been my soulmate for 19 years. She was beautiful, kind, generous and funny. We did everything together. When I lost her, I felt half of me had gone.”
Joy died of Septis that is an illness that is just like a common flu. Gary hopes that his drawings raise awareness for this terrible disease. Take a look at some of our favorites and try and not use too many tissues!
19.
It’s a long road and I am only taking the first steps but my friends are there to guide me through the darkness #doodleaday pic.twitter.com/VgYdwMAGcd
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) October 30, 2017
18.
Half a year. Still hard to process. Keep expecting you to come through the door. #doodleaday #widowerlife pic.twitter.com/ky0fRjEM2B
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) April 27, 2018
17.
What’s always so amazing is how suddenly your feelings can change – and change back again. Grief is an unpredictable companion. Getting used to it though. Friends are amazing and an absolute lifeline. Be open with everyone #doodleaday #widowerlife #sepsissucks #copingwithgrief pic.twitter.com/t0inKM0JD7
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) April 25, 2018
16.
Nearly 5 months gone. Didn’t think I had any more heart left to break but it turns out I was wrong. So beautiful and talented. #Sepsis sucks. #doodleaday #widowerlife pic.twitter.com/yA8CJiT6jC
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) March 18, 2018
15.
She is my total hero. #doodleaday pic.twitter.com/kHiKi5e03v
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) December 8, 2017
14.
And THAT, folks, is how we do Saturdays. #doodleaday pic.twitter.com/UwS1hIlVuI
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) November 12, 2017
13.
Away with the kids in the bosom of family, deep in rural France. Always came here as a family so as you can imagine the emotions are incredibly complex. Happy but deeply moved. #doodleaday #widowerlife #sepsissucks pic.twitter.com/r8m9KZaoB3
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) March 30, 2018
12.
My daughter keeping it real and stopping me from getting over emotional. #doodleaday pic.twitter.com/HfrDgrs5OV
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) November 21, 2017
11.
My amazing daughter. #doodleaday. Keeping me sane. pic.twitter.com/0ksId2agf0
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) November 12, 2017
10.
They are the best. Wish we could have shared this night. Xx #doodleaday pic.twitter.com/koissFJFQn
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) November 9, 2017
9.
Farewell to my love #doodleaday No more words. pic.twitter.com/Jbkyfmo2jn
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) November 26, 2017
8.
Not to belittle the amazing friends and family who have surrounded me with love and help this last month. Your support has been incredible. I just REALLY miss her today. That’s all. #doodleaday pic.twitter.com/k9V5OW2r1S
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) November 29, 2017
7.
I just miss the sound of her breathing… #doodleaday #widowerlife pic.twitter.com/xbRXfho4GH
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) March 13, 2018
6.
Up, down, up, down… #doodleaday. pic.twitter.com/YzYWO3F57F
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) February 13, 2018
5.
So proud of our children today as they scattered mummy’s ashes – It was a beautiful experience – very positive and peaceful. Although I still find it hard to accept that she’s gone, I am starting to feel that there is hope, and light, and happiness to be had. #doodleaday pic.twitter.com/uGEHDUkwbI
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) January 26, 2018
4.
I asked what they missed most. Lily said “Her being funny” and Ben said “Everything”. Bless them. Such a huge thing to happen to them in their young lives. But we are strong together and they know they can talk to me about it whenever they want. And they will. #doodleaday pic.twitter.com/gBhWlfUNIq
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) January 31, 2018
3.
The happiest moments lead to the worst pain. I think the sun coming out just made me think of you. Still can’t believe you are gone. #doodleaday #widowerlife #sepsissucks #copingwithgrief pic.twitter.com/aFYFSjV3VB
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) April 20, 2018
2.
She would have SO loved this. I can picture her now, scarcely able to breathe from laughing so much, both at how much fun it was and at how ridiculous I must have looked. She may have gone but she’s still with me, all the time. #doodleaday #widowerlife pic.twitter.com/vpsHsIGWcY
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) April 22, 2018
1.
Quite a day. Moving on whilst still holding the past in my heart. #doodleaday. @UKSepsisTrust @Jason__Watkins – talk about a rollercoaster of emotions. pic.twitter.com/g51ESm5ETV
— Gary Andrews (@GaryScribbler) January 13, 2018