September 28, 2014
Trying very hard to get myself straightened out. Trying to figure out how I do this new normal. You know, my life after Momma’s passing. That is my life now and I don’t think it will change for some time. I have good moments every single day. Moments where I am ME and I am happy. I also have moments where I am MOMMA’S GIRL and missing her more than i can function around. I suppose those moments will lessen with time. I’m sure they will because I’ve lost other people I love and that’s how it worked. Problem here is, I’ve never lost Momma before. There is no one in my life who holds that piece of my heart. Oh, I have many loves. I am very blessed with people who care deeply about me and one or more of them reach out to me every day. So this isn’t a case of loneliness or self-pity at all. I am so very aware of how many people I can turn to for a laugh, a hug, a crying binge or whatever I need. This is about defining my new role as a human. This is about only having one Momma.
I am a wife. There are many wives out there who do a much better job at this than I, but I do love my husband and I will return to a somewhat functional wife shortly, I think. I am cooking a little now because I discovered that doing things I love does relax and soothe me, some. I have been keeping the house ready to show, it’s for sale and it must be ready, but not really quite as pristine as I prefer and I don’t seem to care much about that. Cleaning doesn’t make me calm, it just makes me tired. I try to return to the husband-wife life we had in a day to day way, but it’s not the life we had. It’s very different. It’s very quiet and I am so sad so often that I don’t want to have silly conversations with him. I don’t want to talk about moving. We can’t move until the house sells. I can’t make the house sell. I have to let go of all things I can’t change. He is stuck in daily comments about getting this house sold. I’m over that. It will sell, when it sells. PERIOD.
So much of what has happened since August 1 has been so clearly by Heavenly Design, that I am living a much more accepting role now. I am satisfied with the realtors we have, the marketing is excellent, the buyers just have to find it. I am okay with waiting because I see that the waiting has meaning. He can’t seem to grasp that. I can’t or don't have the energy to get him over to my side of this. It’s okay, he’ll get here, he always does. I am content to know I have done what I can do and I am trudging along daily because I know He has this. He will give me strength when I need it and wisdom to move forward or not. He will lead me and I will follow. I am reveling in the gift of Momma’s last days. It is my source of strength to remember how happy she was. To imagine how happy she is now. To understand that I gave what she needed and she gave what I needed. To accept that I am to continue now without her. His will has been done. I get it. I feel it. I do accept it. But the pain of life without her is still very raw and very strong. I am trying to push through it. I am trying to reinvent myself into a productive human. The mom I should be will return. Hang in there kids! The grandma I love being, she’ll be back, too. I just am not real sure when. But soon, I think.
Right now, in this moment, I believe I will just be. I will just allow myself to cry. I will allow myself to mourn. I will allow myself to remember the good days and the bad. I am going to be kind to me and maybe stop looking so hard for my new normal and just let it creep in. Patience please my family and friends. I’ll not stay here in this gloom very long. I will emerge with some dignity and some hope. I will become the person I am meant to be and I will be stronger, love more and have even deeper faith because I am the sum of all 64 years 8 months 19 days of being Momma’s girl and your wife, your mother, your grandmother, your sister or your friend. And I am in here.
Jo
Oh, Jo, I wish I could say something to make you feel better. You're right, though, you just have to have patience with yourself. Be gentle with yourself. And know there are lots of us thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennifer. I DO feel the support. I welcome the prayers and I really do get strength from that.
DeleteDon't ever feel guilty about taking time to grieve. It's a normal process and it takes time. You sound as though you are handling it very well. Mike has to handle it in his own way. Love you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how well I'm handling it. Some days, okay...then crash. Mike is doing well, but he has his moments and his days, too.
DeleteI love you, too and I so appreciate you always being there for me. I hope you know it goes both ways.
I do know that. 💞
DeleteLove you Jo I feel this . . . nothing else can be said words are empty and really when you lose someone have no meaning. So just telling you that you are loved will have to do . . . <3 Jul
ReplyDeleteIt's magical, Jul.
DeleteI remember how I felt after my mom passed so long ago. It's hard, I know. I still miss her.
ReplyDeleteIt's been almost 36 years since Dad passed and I know she felt "alone" most of those days. I understand that now. It has nothing to do with being loved by and loving others, it has to do with that missing part of you.
DeleteI was also heartbroken after losing my mom two years ago and it was a much different experience then losing my dad. I cried every day for months, but one day I made it through without crying and gradually those days became the usual.
ReplyDeleteThere are still days I miss her fiercely and something will remind me and bring me to tears but we are lucky to have such a love in our life. Hugs to you!
Yes, Kay....very different. I feel part of it is because I AMY a mom and I've also always HAD one. It's different for me, for sure.
DeleteGrieving takes a while, especially for a momma that was a large part of your world. I know. In some respects I don't think you ever get over it. You are right though. There is solace in knowing you were there for her till the end, she was happy, and that you did all you could for her. Bless your heart Jo. HUGS!
ReplyDeleteIt is always good for me to talk with people who have been there and done that. You seem to know my feelings almost before I can express them.
DeleteThank you, just for being there.