FacebookIt's been over a month since Sheryl Sandberg's husband Dave Goldberg passed away while on vacation in Mexico, and she's coming forward to thank everyone who has offered their support.
The Facebook COO posted a lengthy message expressing her gratitude to those who've supported her in the recent weeks, and shared how she and her family are currently coping with the tragic loss.
"I think when tragedy occurs, it presents a choice. You can give in to the void, the emptiness that fills your heart, your lungs, constricts your ability to think or even breathe. Or you can try to find meaning. These past thirty days, I have spent many of my moments lost in that void," she began by writing.
"I know that many future moments will be consumed by the vast emptiness as well. But when I can, I want to choose life and meaning."
Sandberg explained that she was writing "to mark the end of sheloshim"—the Jewish tradition of a mourning for 30 days after a death—"to give back some of what others have given to me."
She continued, "I have lived thirty years in these thirty days. I am thirty years sadder. I feel like I am thirty years wiser…I have learned to ask for help—and I have learned how much help I need."
Sandberg described a moment where the loss of her husband felt particularly painful when talking to a friend "about a father-child activity that Dave is not here to do."
"We came up with a plan to fill in for Dave. I cried to him, 'But I want Dave. I want option A.' He put his arm around me and said, 'Option A is not available. So let's just kick the s--t out of option B'" Sandberg wrote.
"Dave, to honor your memory and raise your children as they deserve to be raised, I promise to do all I can to kick the s--t out of option B. And even though sheloshim has ended, I still mourn for option A. I will always mourn for option A."