Another joined the club ...

Yesterday my brother joined the club no one wants to join - widowhood.  As I watched the hours wash  away, all I could offer was the silence of my presence.  I sat and counted her breaths with him, offered him the cool cloth as I wiped her brow, all the while willing my dear brother to only breathe.

It was sad watching him moving forward with this journey and hoping that he could feel supported by one who knows.  As we who know say, we would not wish this pain on our worst enemy - try it on for size when it is with your own loveable brother.

I will not offer to him ...

·         she is no longer suffering

·         I am so sorry for your loss
·         time will heal
·         she is in a better place
·         she is no longer suffering
·         ....

 Knowing silence is all he needs.

Facing tomorrow ...

Hoohaa ... how many places can one hide the paperwork she doesn't want to face?  Let me count the spaces!  In a 1600 sq.ft. home ... there are too many to count!

Here I was patting myself on the back Saturday evening thinking I was all that because I had faced 2.5 years of filing and survived!  I sit down tonight to face yet another one of those ostridge avoidances to realize that I was missing an important document.  No problem I think, I will check my new handy dandy accordion filing system!  What?  Not there?  Oh, yes ... I remember.  Go to my favourite "other" spot only to find another fistful of envelopes!  *groan* .... slit, slit, slit .... file, file, file ... ding and done.  Still I can't find the required document.  Pondering where can I have put that?  *light bulb moment* .... oh ya!  Off I go to be met with another fistful of envelopes!  REALLY?  slit, slit, slit ... file, file, file ... ding and done.  Still no document.  I am now faced to approach the dreaded box.  Yes folks, THE dreaded box!  The one I dumped all of Bill's chicken scratched stuff in!  My feet felt like lead and my heart sank for I knew that although I am in forward motion, THIS box is still not for me - yet.

I sat for a great deal of time in front of the box labeled - BILL when I am ready!  I even snuck a sip of wine while I fingered the box.  I finally lifted the lid to be met with all of his little notes of nothingness, cards he chose and wrote "I love you" in.  Another gulp of wine and I dove in.  Reaching to the bottom to find a file folder ... EURIKA!  I grabbed and brought it to the surface to find the required document.  I rushed to put the lid back on the box, but not quickly enough for I noticed his last note to me ... "Welcome to hockey my love!"  As I am about to embark on a new season of ball hockey, I guess it is appropriate and a sure message that he is still with me.

The sun is coming up ...

Two years and nine months later, I find myself at a loss for words and reminding myself to breathe when an old work acquaintance asked today, "How's hubby?"  *Breathe* My mind went into overdrive trying to find the right words and the first thing that came out was, "Hubby's Dead."  *Gasp*  Did that really come out of my mouth?

This wonderful man wore a look of shock and I watched as his mind kicked into overdrive equally trying to find an appropriate response.  I am certain that his thoughts were scrambling to define "dead" for it certainly must have been difficult to associate "separation" and "divorce" with Bill and I so that only left ...

I quickly eased his unease with the offering of the details I have so often rhymed off.  With genuine concern in his voice in his eyes, he offers, "I'm so sorry."  Nice.  Wanting to respond to his sincere condolences, I quickly responded, "Me too!"  *Groan*  What's wrong with me?  Well honesty is the best policy - I AM sorry.

Replaying the conversation in my head, I think that it was not half bad.  Acknowledging the fact that I could be light hearted about the subject, I see growth.  By doing so, it quickly put the rest of our conversation on a brighter path.  We spoke about children and the many other common interests in life then promised to keep in touch.

Silver lining ....

Time Limits on Grief

This wonderful photo/quote originally came from the site, "All That Love Can Do."

Apparently, their logo was cropped off of this picture.

Thus, I want to give credit where credit is due.