How can it be? A month has passed without a letter. My heart feels terrible but also hopeful. Because, this blog has been the outlet for Momma's intense grief. A place where I had to force my brain to balance the pain of missing you with some measure of joy. But, over the last few months, joy has been more accessible and present. More constant.
While there is guilt associated with that, there is more a sense of settledness. A sense that this is what it feels like to allow grief and joy and love and pain to become the norm. There is a strange new ability to ride the yellow sunshine highs of wonderful moments while also embracing the need to indulge fits of chest-heaving sobs...all in the same day. I acknowledge this is not normal. At least, not for normal people. But, we are not normal. We are the Shockingly Awful Bereaved.
Yes. That is a new Momma phrase. As we travel this path of loss, and time plays a more predominant role, it seems humans feel more comfortable uttering words and phrases they danced around during the early days. The times of, "I can't imagine...I am so sorry." have passed. We've entered into the zone of, "OH MY GOD. That is the worst thing I have ever heard. How are you still alive?" Yes, this is a Momma over-generalized dramatization. But, not all that far off.
Today I had a woman inform me that, outside of her husband cheating on her and the pain of their divorce and loss of her house and country club membership, she can't imagine anything worse than the death of a child. <Deep breath in and out.> My response, "I am so sorry for everything you are unexpectedly dealing with - it must be awful."
Thanks to you I have become more patient and kind. I believe in the inherent good of people and humanity. When I hear people (above) say things that seem idiotic I give the benefit of the doubt. I give grace.
Your Peanut Effect. Stronger than ever.
I write tonight to honor you and to keep this blog active and alive. For you.
Peanut, I miss you. Every day. I love you sooooo much. How much? To the moon - and back!
- Momma
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| Peanut's Butterfly Stone, flanked by beautiful flowers. |
