Caryn M. Sullivan: Wings for Widows — offering a better way to navigate the aftermath of a loss

Word came by phone, delivered by a stranger I never did meet. Nine years ago, my husband, the father of four, died in a hospital emergency room after efforts to coax his heart back into service fell short.

In an instant I joined the club to which no woman wants to belong, though roughly 11 million in America do.

I spent months in a state of overwhelm, despite the rallying of family and friends.