Author: Grief Blessings

Grief must have a voice or it will snuff out any small amount of hope you might have. Don’t stuff your grief. Write, talk, run, do something to relieve the pressure of grief. I’ve seen all too often the damage the grief can do if not dealt with appropriately. It may be different for each of you. For me it was writing. But for you – well only you know. But do something positive that honors your loved one and it will make a difference.

Until next time,

m

I usually reserve this blog for posts about the loss of my daughter with occasional posts about losing my mom and grandmother. But I find that given today is Father’s Day, I felt compelled to write about the tragedy of having a father who chose to not be part of my life. That decision taught me volumes about life but it also hardened me to love. I see so many who have great stories of their fathers and how they have impacted their lives and I can only imagine how great that would have been. Instead my dad chose to walk away from six young children for a “better life” free of us. Only returning when it was convenient for him and certainly not for us. My first loss of many…..

My dad and I have had a volatile relationship since he left and after many attempts at reconciliation, it has brought me nothing but more pain. He chose to walk away from me over and over throughout my life. The day I needed him most to show up, my daughter’s funeral, he chose to not drive the four hours to be with me because it was too far. The message that I got from that was once again, I did not matter. It has been the story of my life with him. I did not matter to him. I never have. That makes me profoundly sad in ways I cannot say. I’ve paid dearly for his choice to be vacant from my life. I haven’t cried over this in years yet at this very moment the sadness of not having a father who cared enough to be involved in my life is so vastly wrong on so many levels and tears return at this moment.

Having a parent walk away from you when you are six years old leaves a permanent scar on your heart that never heals. Each Father’s day I feel that scar and the pain it creates over and over. With every Father’s day commercial and with every wonderful father-daughter story that is shared, I am reminded of the great void in my life and the mountain of doubt, pain, loss that his absence caused. We have tried over the years to reconnect, but it has always ended in angst. I guess he couldn’t help himself – he just keeps inflicting more pain so I’ve chosen to stay away over the years. It’s far less painful because most of my life I have not felt his love nor do I believe he cared enough to change. It usually is about him and his guilt. If it weren’t for guilt I imagine I would have never heard from him.

I have five incredible brothers who have grown to be wonderful men and great fathers. I’m so proud of the men they have become despite the loss of a father figure early in their lives. I’ve been blessed with a few father-like figures over the years who provided guidance and support. For that I am so grateful.

If you have a good relationship with your father, thank them today for the blessings they are in your life.

Until next time,

m

In the beginning I kept a personal journal where I wrote my inner most feelings about the loss of my daughter and the fall out that came in the wake of her passing. My on-line blog was very new, in fact, I was new to blogging and wasn’t sure I could or wanted to bare my soul to the public. Today I am very glad I chose to continue writing publically because I know it has helped others along the way. In that on-line journal, which transitioned into this journal, I wrote snippet’s rather than stories about my journey. This has truly been a measure from where I began and where I am today. It’s not perfect, but it is progress. Below is an entry from my personal paper journal that will give you a sense of where I was one month after the death of my daughter. I kept this journal for one year.

Day: Saturday, 11-11-06

The weather today: cloudy and cold

Today I feel: sad, glad, empty, desperate

Today I am grateful for: another day, a potential buyer

Inspirations, prayer, scriptures, and quotes: The Lord is close to the broken-hearted, he rescues those whose spirts are crushed. – Psalm

I said a special prayer for: Sheri, Trish, Clayton, Kellie’s son

Prayer(s) answered (comfort, peace, love and miracles): received help financially

Donations of the heart (acts of kindness, caring, sharing and forgiveness): Offering to help someone else during their time of sorrow. She seemed so sad.

What I would like to see happen tomorrow: Make it another day.

Reflections: Some days I feel like I’m just existing without purpose. Like a robot going through the motions of life. Problem is my life is so complicated and things are a real mess. It’s really hard to see any positives. My spiritual self is keeping me in check – but the mom in me does not want to go on another second – why? What’s the point?

I get a glimpse that maybe things will get better. Mostly because I’m around people – I can even laugh. But alone in my house – I’m left with nothing but sad feelings and unimaginable hole in my heart that causes much discomfort. No one gets that! No one! Only God – and I don’t feel that. I’m tired and it’s only been one month.

As I read through that page in the journal, I am struck by the words used to describe my feelings. Time is described as “seconds” – because it was how I measured my days. “Going through the motions” – reflecting on that I’m thinking it was a defense mechanism for survival. I could not see a purpose for me that was acceptable. I understood it was my faith that was lifting me out of the pain, though I couldn’t feel it. How could I – it had only been a month since I left my only child at the hospital, in that ICU bed, lifeless.

This blog has certainly evolved over the years and now I’m not sure what to do with it. I want to keep writing, but want it to be more about you, my followers, and less about me. So where do we go from here. I hope to hear from you about what it is you need to read or hear about. What would be meaningful for you so that you want to keep following? Should I blog through another book? Many questions, and I ask for your input. Because honestly this blog is really about you more than me. How can I help?

Until next time,

M

I have been able to find moments, days, and weeks of joy. As a grieving parent, that seems almost hard to imagine, I know. Having a great group of friends have helped me keep the focus off the dark cloak that covers my life. I truly don’t think they are aware the magnitude of the impact they have on my life. I say that because recently I took a job that moved me away from them. While I have remained busy with school and work, in the quiet moments, the darkness rises up and demands to be heard.

My friends had a way of making me laugh and see the joy of life that had been robbed of me since my daughter’s passing. Maybe it’s because they kept me busy in a way that I did not have the time to think about it. In hindsight I’m certain that God has always placed the right people in my life to fill that gap. It’s been that way historically for the past seven years and I while I pray He sends new friends my way soon, I don’t ever want to lose my connections with my friends in Michigan, Indiana and most recently Atlanta. As time does go on, I do feel some slipping away and that makes me sad. It’s a different kind of loss.

Loss seems to find its way at my door often. Not sure exactly why, perhaps some of it I have created myself by moving about. I’ve never known what it’s like to stay in one place for very long. My family moved around a lot when I was young. I continued that trend in my adulthood. When my daughter died I felt I just had to leave my house. It was a constant reminder of my loss. Every time I walked into that house I dropped to my knees. Then there is my career which I have buried myself in to dull the pain. It’s just easier that way. So several states and jobs later, I find myself in familiar territory of rebuilding my network of friends and my life for that matter.

In a blog post I wrote a while back about a “The Cloud of Witnesses” from the book A Grief Disguised by Jerry Sittser, I wrote about the value and significance of having that supportive network of friends and family. The ones that don’t leave your side no matter what. They keep coming back not afraid of dealing with my loss. I encourage you to read it if you haven’t.

https://mysoulspeaks.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/the-cloud-of-witnesses/

So what people don’t know is this…..

There is a darkness that parents who have lost their children feel and experience that grows without love and friendship. The challenge is finding it over and over again. The old saying that people come in and out of your life for a season is true, but I would like to believe that some would stay for a lifetime. I will be praying hard for new friends and for the blessings for my constant friends who keep me grounded in love. They know who they are and I send them the love they give me back 10 fold.

Until next time,

M

A difficult post.

I find it nauseating that on Mother’s Day, I can no longer celebrate it because it has become a meaningless day for me. I walk past the Mother’s Day card section at the store – I have no one to buy for. I do try and acknowledge my friends and family on this day, but honestly the day makes me sick with hurt. I’m tired of the Mother’s Day commercials. It’s all a constant reminder of what I’ve lost. The magnitude of it all hits me in the pit of my stomach. I cannot wait until it is over so I can move on.

The life I’ve made since the passing of my daughter Brittany has been for the most part productive. Productive is a good term. I love my work and staying busy with school – it all keeps me productive. For the most part I am fairly happy with how things are going. But don’t think for one second, that I think it’s better, or I can dismiss what has happened to me. Not many of you get it and I have learned to accept that. I’ve learned to just nod and keep going, when the comments encouraging me to “count my blessings” or “be grateful” for what I have. Unless you you’ve lost a child – you don’t get to say that. I’m a little over being nice about this now.

I have worked very hard to get through these past seven years. Healing comes in helping others. Writing this blog has been very cathartic and I hope to do more writing in the future. I have been following a few other blogs of moms who have lost a child and I can tell you there is a comfort amongst my fellow grievers that when I find times that I need someone to understand my pain, I know I can come to the blog family and find comfort. We are here to help each other. For the new mom entering this sacred group – your words have been my words; to the seasoned mom who has been on this journey a while – your words help me to know I can make it. We need each other more than we know. Keep writing. Keep telling your story. We want to hear you.

My mom taught me to
be a strong woman.
She taught me to never settle. She taught me to excel
in all that I do.
She taught me that
love of family is paramount.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom. Please give my Brittany a kiss – I miss all so much!

Until next time

M

Mom (top)

Nanny (left)

Brittany (right)

Each time I linger just a minute too long at her picture I feel a tug at my heart and a lump in my throat. I fight it because it hurts too much to go there. I don’t think that the passage of time will ever make that less painful.

There is so much raw emotional that swells when I look at her picture. I see the mortality in her face, yet I see the gift she brought to me and others with her uniqueness. I say to myself “walk away” “stop looking” – I do that not because I don’t want to see her I do it to protect my broken heart. The passage of time will not change that.

My heart broke forever on October 13^th, 2006 and regardless of all the good things that happen in my life today, my heart will always be broken. I cannot change that. What I can change is how I live my life.

The passage of time will not change the trajectory of my life. Her death will not define my life. It was her life that changed me and made me the person I am today. The passage of time will not change that.

As Easter approaches I am reminded of the resurrection and the life that awaits those who cross over. Easter is the gift I treasure now even more than ever. It is the hope I understand that I will one day see my beautiful daughter again. The passage of time will not change that.

Until next time,

m

There are several theories out there regarding stages of grief. Some say there are four, five or seven stages. I am more inclined to go with the “Seven Stages” as it was closer to what I experienced when my daughter passed away seven years ago. I felt it appropriate to take this opportunity to discuss the stages of grief due to the most recent horrific events in Kansas. A mother who has just lost not only her father, but her teenage son. Both fatally shot by someone who hated them. The most tragic thing I can fathom is the loss of someone to hate. I found it interesting that the media can’t believe how the mother is able to answer questions and speak so eloquently on TV despite having just lost her son and father. I find it disturbing and frustrating because if people did their homework they would know that this mother is experiencing the first stage of grief called “shock”. She is numb to it all but the time is near when she will begin to shut down and follow the stages of grief.

Shock

Allows you to do things that you can’t even imagine doing during a time of loss. I recall that I planned my daughter’s celebration of life ceremony and spoke at her ceremony within three days of her passing. I often look back and find myself in awe of how I could have done such a thing. I was in the first stage of grief called shock. It gives you a sense of calm and peace that only will last for a short time. Shock is the feeling of disbelief. You may experience a surreal sensation, numbness or an emotional paralysis upon learning bad news. In many ways, this stage allowed me to do what I needed to do to make all the arrangements and get through the initial first few days.

Denial

Within a few days, I found myself crawling around the floor crying out why this happened. I sat and stared at her picture thinking she’d be home any minute and it would have all been a bad nightmare. People can spend too much time in this stage if they do not have the support they need to process the loss. I found I went back and forth between these first two stages often during the first couple of weeks.

Anger

As the days begin to wane, anger sets in and I recall having very strong conversations with God on a daily basis. Some of those moments were very intense. I was very angry with God as I did not understand why I had to endure yet another loss. First my mom and then my daughter. I just became so angry. I had a short fuse. Even shoveling snow ticked me off. I spend a great deal of time thinking I must have missed a clue or I didn’t push harder for my daughter to get better care. Anger can help you release the pain, but it is critical to move beyond the anger or it can cause delays in healing.

Bargaining

Oh I spent a great deal of time praying and talking with God about what I could do so that God could bring her back. I think this stage fuses together with denial and anger so much so that it’s hard to see them apart. For me bargaining and anger go hand in hand.

Depression

Depression can set in when you begin to face the reality of what has happened. I do think it’s appropriate to feel sadness during loss. Sometimes it can be so intense that it washes over you and makes you feel like you just got hit by a tidal wave. It comes without warning and knocks the breath out of you. Sadness needs a voice. I found writing about my pain and loss kept depression at a distance and allowed me to grieve in a healthy way. This is a stage that can lead to needing mental health support – and that is OK.

Testing

This goes along with depression in that you may begin to seek out help to get relief from the heavy sadness that has consumed you for a while. It’s exhausting to grief. I found it was the toughest during the first year after my daughter died. I also found returning to work was the best thing for me. Getting back to life seemed like it would be too much to bare, but in fact, it helped me stay busy and gave me purpose.

Acceptance

This can take a while to achieve, but I’m living proof that it can happen. It takes a lot of work, support from friends, family and professionals – but it is possible to smile again. It is possible to find joy again. Hard work, but all possible.

Over the past seven years I’ve been through many of these stages and have gone back and forth so much. Stages of grief look and feel different to each individual experiencing it. Grief has a uniqueness that is like no other. Grief helps us to survive loss. It provides a framework to process our feelings and our pain in a way that is healthy and productive. I would also like to acknowledge that having counseling early and throughout various times over the past seven years has been key to my understanding and acknowledging my loss. I have come to understand that loss does not have to define who I am despite having lost my mom while seven months pregnant and then losing my 17 year old daughter. I know there is a purpose that has come out of my loss and pain and that is how I get up each and every day. It’s not easy and I understand that better than most. But it’s a choice to get up and do something positive. To choose the path that is not the easiest to follow.

I urge you if you are struggling and can’t seem to find a way to process your grief – get help. It is crucial to your journey.

Until next time,

M

References:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/support-groups

http://www.ehow.com/info_8091384_five-may-not-set-order.html

http://www.suzieduke.com/grievingforward.html

Today I started my day with about 3 hours of sleep. And well as you may know that is NOT a good way to start your day. By afternoon I was in a sour mood and it only got worse from there. I decided that I wanted to still go over and see my new apartment as I had not seen it yet. When I got there I was so disappointed in a few of the details. It must have shown on my face as the gentlemen I was working with noticed right away and said “I’m so sorry you are sad”. For which I responded “No it’s more like disappointed”.

My emotions got the better of me and I just wanted to run to my car and cry. I was so crushed and over such a trivial detail like counter tops. I mean really. Counter tops. I called my partner and I said to her all about it and how upset I was. Ranted and raved over what I was going to do. She suggested I just get some rest and write about it. Hence the blog post and my asking you to indulge me for just a few paragraphs as it gets better. J

I noticed I needed to stop for gas and which further irritated me because I was so tired – remember! When I’m tired I tend to get a bit nasty with my attitude. I got out of my car and began to pump gas and I looked up to see an elderly man walk up to me. As he did I noticed he looked a little worn for wear. His clothes were dirty and he looked like he hadn’t showered in a few days or weeks. He politely told me that he had run out of gas and at that moment I looked down and saw he was carrying a gas can. I asked him “how much does it hold”? He said it was a five gallon jug. In the back of my mind, I am perturbed that he has chosen me out of all of the people getting gas at that moment in time. But I continued to pump my gas and thinking “should I or should I not” – during this very uncomfortable 5 minutes we bantered back and forth with polite conversation. He began to pay me compliments and said something like “you are very beautiful” and I said “oh thanks” I said I have good genes. For which he said oh your mom must be beautiful and I said curtly – she has passed on. He said oh I’m sorry. I said me too. Then he said you don’t like to pump gas do you. I said “no not really – I think it’s dangerous”. For which he replied – I’ll do it for you. But ohhhh the very skeptical self said “no I can do it”. Then he said something that made me pause…. “You must have had a bad day” – I hope your day gets better now”. Then I felt a shift in my thoughts about what was happening right in front of me.

As I completed filling my tank, I then reached down and pumped a few gallons of gas into his gas can. I completed the purchase and closed up the gas lid. He turned and said thank you very much. I said “you are welcome” and then he turned to me and said “God Bless You”! And it hit me like a ton of bricks. We were meant to cross paths at that very moment. He was there to teach me something. I was so bent out of shape over something so trivial as a counter top when this man clearly was struggling to purchase enough gas to get home. I just wanted to crawl back into my car and cry. I felt so ashamed. I knew God had sent this man to me to teach me that there are more important things in life than material things. While they are nice they should not be such that it impacts my behavior or worth.

I love it when God shows up in my life to teach me these lessons. Life lessons.

So tonight in my prayers I prayed for myself to see more clearly and for that man at the gas station to have a blessing bestowed upon him and for Alyssa, a young girl who lost her battle with cancer today – for her parents who have to begin this journey of grief that we all know too well. I pray that God continues to bless each one of us beyond measure so that we can bless others and sometimes that begins with a simple lesson in humility.

Until next time,

M

My dear friends:

As we look to 2014 we find ourselves making new goals and charting our way into making changes in our lives that will fill a promise of forwarding our progression on a course charted for us because of an unfortunate event – the loss of a loved one. In doing so, we must look back at 2013 to see the lessons we were meant to learn and maybe even some lessons we still have to finish. But don’t look back too long. Just long enough to see it for what it was and learn from what did or did not happen. Make a new goal and move forward.

I find using a vision board helps me stay focused on the now in my life. I completed my first vision board about a year after my daughter’s death and it helped me to discover what I wanted out of life. It gave me some hope that life could be realized in a way that I could live out my days feeling like I could still make a difference. Being a mother for 17 years was what I knew and knew well. But I also had a successful career and needed to keep that going. Vision boards can help focus your journey, give life to new things, and give honor to those things that are now gone.

My vision board helped me understand that some things also change after time. And that it is ok. As I completed my first vision board – meaning things I had so lovely placed on it had either come to pass or no longer had meaning. As weeks and months wore on I realized I was losing my vision of what I wanted to achieve and began to slip back into a sense of unknown, a kind of listlessness and it had to stop. It was time for a new vision board.

As I began to form this new board I noticed some of the things I had on my first board still had meaning but appeared in a different light. So I allowed it back on the new board. Some things no longer held that same level of desire and I found new passions I wanted to achieve. The one trend I noticed was that I wanted more color back into my life. It has taken 7 long years to understand that living in a black and white world could only take me so far. It was a safe place. If I wanted to live with purpose – I had to let color back in. Some days I like the safety of my old black and white world, but I also understand that all places of the past can only serve but a limited purpose. And that is this…. To show you how far you have come and gives you fuel to find a renewed passion for life.

Like all things that put our life in perspective whether it be journaling or vision boards, one thing I know is true and that is goals propel us into living a life with meaning. Find your passion and write about it. Cut out pictures of examples that remind you of what happiness means to you. What makes you smile? Don’t take it too seriously. Don’t think about it – just do it. The results will be amazing. Your life will have more meaning and you will see that life can again be colorful.

Until next time

m