In 2006, the author was studying for her MA degree in English, in Baghdad. A married Iraqi woman, she was kidnapped along with her husband. She was released after eight days, but her husband was killed. In this personal reflection, she describes her own profound grief and how she found meaning in life once again while working with the International Organization for Migration. This intergovernmental organisation gave her the opportunity to provide support to other Iraqi widows. Now, as a coordinator of a project for the empowerment of female and youth headed households, she offers both practical and emotional support.