Twice I started. Twice I walked away without pushing the publish button. So bear with me as I give these life. Be warned. There are more than one.
Obviously not me. I’ve been gone so long even I’ve lost my place. But there have been things, I try to explain to anyone who’s listening. They have to be mighty big things to miss two whole years. And they have. The biggest. The worst losses you can imagine if you know how it is to lose both your parents (or spouse or child or grandparent or beloved pet or whoever) in the space of a year and a half. But this even goes further. Since 2011, 24 people (and a great dog) who used to be in my life at some point are no longer there. 24. 24. I’m stuck on that number. It’s actually increased since then, but I’m staying stuck on 24.
I will just put this out there. To all of you who said the completely wrong thing in the aftermath, I forgive you. But I ask you to sort your words more tenderly and thoughtfully the next time you find yourself having to console.
No, he/she didn’t, there are plenty already. We need some serious angels right here on earth, trust me on this.
At least they aren’t suffering any longer.
I want to like this one, but on second thought, NO, now I’m the one who’s suffering.
By who’s standard of reason?
He/She wouldn’t want you to be so sad.
Maybe not, but that’s kinda beside the point, now isn’t it? In fact, I think my Mom might be a little ticked off if I wasn’t sad.
Don’t even get me started on this one. God does all the time. I mean he gave us Donald Trump, right?
He/She’s in a better place.
Again, No … the better place would be in the kitchen making me some damn Mudhens or in a lounge chair cheering on the Tar Heels.
’cause if you’ve been there, you already know.
And, oh yeah, there was that hip replacement a week after my mom died. Where I spent the week between dealing with cremation, death certificates, cleaning out her room – the business end of death. The drugs and the medical haze that fuzzed out and postponed the grief gave me something else to focus on for 3 months in the aftermath – while I still sorted -though it felt eerily like snooping – through the personal papers and possessions.
So that’s a snippet. Aren’t you glad you asked?
There’s plenty of good though. Stay tuned for that!