While Mother’s Day is often viewed as one of the most celebrated and joyful holidays, it can also be incredibly emotional for those who have lost their loved ones. The first Mother’s Day without one’s wife, mother, sister, aunt, or friend can be incredibly heartbreaking. Actor John Travolta is experiencing that heartbreak now and sharing an emotional tribute to his late wife, actress Kelly Preston.
As fans may recall, John Travolta’s wife of 19 years, actress Kelly Preston, tragically passed away after a two-year fight with breast cancer.
The couple shared three children together, Jett, Ella, and Benjamin.
John announced Kelly’s passing with an emotional Instagram post.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer. She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many,” John wrote at the time. “My family and I will forever be grateful to her doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Cancer Center, all the medical centers that have helped, as well as her many friends and loved ones who have been by her side.”
“Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered. I will be taking some time to be there for my children who have lost their mother, so forgive me in advance if you don’t hear from us for a while,” he continued.
“But please know that I will feel your outpouring of love in the weeks and months ahead as we heal,” he concluded.
Recently, John sat down with *Esquire Spain* to discuss the impact of his wife’s death.
The actor began by explaining that “living in mourning is something personal.”
He continued, “Mourning is individual and experiencing your own journey is what can lead to healing.”
“The most important thing you can do to help another when they are in mourning is to allow them to live it and not complicate it with yours.”
John explained that he felt “saturated” with other people’s grief as he tried to process his own.
“Even though it’s great to have company, sometimes it becomes like you’re helping them rather than putting yourself to work overcoming feelings of loss and grief,” he said, adding that he ” didn’t know what to do.”
“The first thing you should do when you experience grief is to go to a place where you can mourn, without any interference,” he said.
John likened the process to a sinking ship bringing down those around it.
“If I die tomorrow, the last thing I want to see is that everyone around is sunk,” he said.
Now, the actor is marking the first Mother’s Day without his beloved wife in a new, emotional Instagram post.
“Dearest Kelly, you brought into my life three of the most wonderful children I have ever known,” he began.
“Thank you. We love and miss you. Happy Mother’s Day,” the actor concluded, alongside two pictures of his wife and their children.
The second photo shows Kelly smiling while holding the couple’s late son Jett with John standing by her side.
Jett, the pair’s firstborn, died in 2009 after suffering a seizure at the age of 16.
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Fans left an outpouring of love in the comments section.
“Happy Mother’s Day Kelly! She’s watching proudly over you and your beautiful children, always,” remarked one fan.
“Sending love and happy thoughts your way! This day is hard for many. So remember all the amazing memories you all made!!!’ echoed another.
We’re thinking of the Travolta family during this difficult time.
