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Reply by Cath1
18 Aug 2012, 5:23 PM

Good morning, Jane (PPP):

Before I begin, Colleen, what happened to Jane just happened to me - I pressed "enter" and my post was lost and I got bumped out of the forum! Argh!:) I think it is because we have to press "shift" and "enter" at the same time to move to the next paragraph - which I sometimes forget to do when writing.

Well, Jane, I'll try to remember what I had said moments ago!:)

I agree with you that there is a great difference between feeling lonely and being alone and that you indeed have both issues to grapple with daily now that Avery is gone. I am a loner by nature and happen to enjoy my own company and can easily and happily occupy myself without much effort, and therefore I enjoy being alone. I think one's natural temperment and inclination helps to determine how one handles being alone, but also very important is how one has lived most of their lives. Experience cannot be discounted. Also, some people equate being alone with feeling lonely and yet I am living proof that this is not always a logical assumption.   

Unlike you, Jane, I have not lived with a life mate, a husband, for over forty years of my life. Your life was lived as a couple and a very big part of you was entangled with Avery so your concept of being alone and mine are not the same, and the adjustment for you is incredibly difficult as I can only imagine.

The time in my life when I had to make the biggest adjustment to living alone was after my last child of four left home. It was very hard despite my natural affinity as a loner, I was defintely discontent when my children were no longer at home to create the much loved chaos and noise that I thrived on and I didn't realize until after they were gone how much I loved the sound of a bustling household!:) In my new experience of complete aloneness, I kept a tv or radio on constantly just to have the comfort of the sound of living voices surrounding me. After some time though I began to adapt and once I trusted that my kids were and would be safe in the world without me, I began to enjoy my alone time. Now I savour it.

For you Jane, you need to realize that you will be safe and well in the world alone before you will begin to accept and one day appreciate the concept of being alone. It is foreign to you now.

As for loneliness, that is a completely different thing, and for you as you try to cope with your loss of Avery, the loneliness you feel is bound to be enormously overwhelming, and yet it is learning to be alone in the world, to do the every day tasks that Avery once did for you or with you that is also understandably challenging for you. You have barely had any time to find out who you are on your own without Avery as you and he were and lived as one person. Not only are you immersed in deep grief but you have the additional burden of being alone in it and my heart goes out to you as you learn over time to adapt. Remember, too, that you are not really alone, as none of us are, when we have friends!:)

Jane, I hope you know - truly know deep down inside - how incredibly well you are doing as you tackle all of your feelings and your fears! You inspire me so much as I read how much effort you are putting into your healing and I just know you will be rewarded with increased confidence over time as you continue to reach out to others and to find your footing in life once again.

Thank you for mentioning my daughter's wedding - I feel very touched that you and others remembered and were thinking of us on her wedding day!:)  I am enclosing a photo so you and my other Virtual Hospice buddies will be able to share in my happiness for my darling daughter and my sweet son-in-law, and their son, my eldest grandson who walked his mother down the aisle (cottage path) ad was the ring bearer as well. This pictures include all of my four children as well. 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2gsgPpZFskI/UC_J1fxmyWI/AAAAAAAAABY/DIwnFw8TkEE/s1600/Wedding+Day+Collage1.jpg
I don't know if this link will work, but I hope so!:)
 
With affection -hugs- xo
Cath1
     
   
   
     
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Reply by PPP
19 Aug 2012, 11:53 AM

Thank you Cath1 for your comforting words, and unfortunately my computer blocked your blog.  Trying to be really careful and not hit the keys that knock me out!  LOL

Like I send before, I seem to do really well for a day or so then the realization of Avery being gone hits me like it happended yesterday.  I don't think this will ever go away but the intensity might subside. 

The last wedding in my family was my nephew in 2011.  I remember dancing with Avery (and we loved to dance) and have many wonderful memories and pics to cherish!  I sense that your daughters's wedding was very memorable also!

Being alone, I miss asking opinions about everything.  Avery was always there to anwser and give his take on things!  That's part of being alone!  Who do you turn to for advice on personal thoughts we always shared?  My daughter and son have been there for me but for some things 
it was nice to have my "best Friend" there for his opinion.  

And yes, I need to have the radio, tv as loud as I can stand it, to block the slience of no one else in the house.  Adjusting to being the only one to care for is difficult.  I seem to be running in circles some days, not accomplishing anything!  I seem to want to be out of the house more than I use to.  I was a home body when Avery was working and didn't mind being alone all day preparing supper, gardending etc.  This adjustment is the hardest for me!  He's never home for supper anymore!  This is the worst part of my day!  I think that's why I avoid the routine I had before so maybe I don't have to confront that "lonely supper time".

I emphasize the help that you've given me over the past few weeks.  Your words have been a source of comfort for me and I thank you for listening to be ramble on!  The rambling helps get rid of the built up emotion I seem to carry around!

Thank you again.
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Reply by Mark99
19 Aug 2012, 11:26 PM

There is not much for me to add to this other then saying that I understand and identify with these emotions and feelings. It is all very real and in my mind part of my life now and into the distant future. Though I feel I have to work at finding that healthy balance of me with my loss. It is my fight similar to the fight I had with caring for Donna.
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Reply by Mark99
19 Aug 2012, 11:27 PM

The fight was fighting to give her the best care I could. Sorry for the broken post. 
 
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Reply by NatR
20 Aug 2012, 12:07 AM

Hi to you both Mark99 and PPP,

Its nice to see you both posting and supporting each other..and Cath1 has so clearly shown her concern for you both as you travel this new section of your journey.

I just wanted to say I am sending you my thoughts and a huge hug.

Its not easy..its a personal journey...and we all have different ways of coping.

Its hard to know when the right time is for a new change, challenge or just moving throuugh each day and congratulating yourself on making it through that day.

I do hope that one day...you will find a friend, a contact who gives you an outlet to share thoughts and feelings that for now...feel so alien to try and share with others.  It has got to be tough to be one half of a team for so long and then be left high and dry.

But I do believe we all have that inner voice telling us to carry on.  Sounds a bit hokey I guess...but despite personal ups and downs I have discovered that a new day and a new direction is possible...even when you no longer have the partner you once did.

That does not in any way take away the pain and the love you had.  I dont want you to misunderstand.  I just wish to say...be open to new possibilities, new experiences, new directions.  Life is full of change...and that is true for us all.

My heart goes out to you who have lost a loved one...and I just hope that this evening you can know that you are heard, that you are cared about even from a distance, and that as Mark99 said...that you did the best you could to support and care for your partner.  That is evident.  That is your gift given.  Now, your gift to your partner is to live on and through your life...your partner will live on too:)

Hugs..NatR 
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Reply by Cath1
20 Aug 2012, 5:04 AM

Dear Jane (PPP):

You are never rambling on - lol - that's my MO!:)

You are doing amazing even though you are hurting daily, and you are right that the intensity of the feelings you have now will lessen over time. How much time is not possible to predict, but I believe you will not be tormented for the rest of your life with feelings that feel so hard to bear. I know what you mean about being content at home doing your own thing when you knew Avery would be joining you at the end of the day to enjoy supper together. That time of day in particular must be a very tough time of day for you!

The silence in your home is deafening I'm sure as you miss the sound of Avery's voice and the feeling of his presence even when no words were spoken between you. I think of how much harder it is for you than some others, because you have also lost your sister and your best friend and you don't have your cloest friends, those who knew you best to lean on and to share your pain during this time. No wonder your sense of loneliness is increased, yet you keep going on and trying your best to deal with everything you're feeling.

I imagine the reason that you are not into your routines as you were when Avery is alive is because you don't have the same incentive to please another person as you have all of your life up until now. You ween't just doing the work around the house and garden, cooking meals and all the little things that make a house a home, you were doing them with a purpose in mind, for your own satisfaction, yes, but also for the benefit of Avery. It is hard to prepare meals for one as it doesn't feel the same as when sharing a meal with the one you love. It is so hard Jane, but remember each day how far you've come over these past months and hang on to the hope that you will go only farther in your healing and acceptance with each day done. You will sometimes fall back and at other times make great leaps forward, but you can't hurry the process of grieving, but it will get easier.

I understand how you feel like you're awaking to a nightmare to be shocked by the realization that Avery is actually gone. I have felt this way many times about my Mom. Sometimes I would feel a certain panic when the thought would come into my head that she had really died. It still happens sometimes to me, as it did this week, and it's never easy to deal with as it feels sometimes like my grief is a fresh a year and a half after my Mom's death as it was the first few days, but it is not like this for me most of the time, thank goodness.

Keep writing, Jane and letting out your feelings if it makes you feel better and better able to cope. I hope it does because I know from my experience it helps me when I try to express in words the sorrow I am feeling, and yet I know that there are no words to fully express the hurt in one's heart, little by little, word by word, we get to a place of healing and acceptance.

Wishing you a good week, Jane and I and others will be here for you whenever you write again. You are getting through day by day and you are not alone as with every step you take forward, backward and forward again, we are with you to cheer you on!:)

With affection -hugs -xo 
Cath1              
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Reply by PPP
20 Aug 2012, 11:48 AM

I am thankful that everyone has so much comforting and excellent advice  to give!  We are all learning step by step how to live a life that has meaning.

I understand Mark99 living the fight to care and the fight to live alone.  When I look back, I spent the last few years never missing a moment when I could care and comfort Avery.  At times he hated the attention but understood I needed to be there for him.  So I don't think I will ever lose the caring part for someone.  I seem to be more attentive now to others needs and maybe that's Avery's gift to me in all this grief.  To make me more outgoing!  And I thank him for that!  He would want me to be doing all this and  out smiling!  Sometimes all my tears are sadness but then a smile sneaks in and makes the grief more bearable!

I have my 7 year old grandson with me this week and that makes everything more normal this week.  At first it was difficult, because Avery and my grandson would be off to do their own thing and that was difficult.
    This brought back so many memories that Avery enjoyed with him.  We are making our own special times and will have a wonderful week I am sure. Of course another first, alone with my grandson.  So many firsts to endure that make tears flow!

Thank you again everyone,

Kind Regards,
Jane
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Reply by Cath1
23 Aug 2012, 3:05 AM

Hey Jane (PPP):

It's great that you have your grandson with you this week and I'm sure you will have a wonderful time doing things together and making your own special memories, as you say. Your grandson is so young and I imagine he will keep you busy with activities!:) I think grandkids have a magical way of reaching into the vulnerable and lifeworn hearts of their grandparents effortlessly to help us feel more connected and alive and hopeful. I'm sure your little wonder will sprinkle a little a sunshine and warmth into your life this week. I think it's just what you may need right now, to be in the company of a carefree child.

It is indeed a gift that Avery gave to you, for by being with him for so many years he showed you by example to take risks and to put yourself out there and trust that the world and the people in it will respond positively to you, the unique and loveable person you are with all your qualities that I'm sure he adored. Yes, I believe Avery would want to see you smile, Jane and participate in life, to take chances and to open yourself up to new experiences, such as spending time alone with your grandson for the very first time. Even so, no matter how exciting or promising are these new experiences for you, I understand that each new first is bittersweet, as you think of Avery and how things were when he was living. I'm glad to know that sometimes a smile sneaks up on you even as you grieve deeply. Thank goodness for such welcome surprises that ease one's heart for a moment or so.

Let us know how the week is going, or how it went once your grandson goes home. I imagine you have little time to write with him in the house!:) You may feel especially sad or lonely when your grandson goes home, and that will be another first you may have to deal with. Then again, maybe having your grandson with you this week will be the boost to your spirit that you have been hoping for and the effects will linger for awhile. I hope so. No matter how you are feeling as you continue to feel and to express your emotions, we are here for you, Jane.

Until your next update, I'm wishing you smiles, strength and stamina - you'll need the latter with a 7 year old around the house!:)

With affection -hugs- xo
Cath1          
 
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Reply by PPP
24 Aug 2012, 11:20 AM

Hi Cath1


Again thank you for your words of encouragement!  They always make me things a little more positive than I could on my own.  

No doubt my grandson has kept me busy, but I am enjoying the time together, especially with the nice beach weather we have had this week.  A perk for living on the lake!  

A song came on the radio that Avery reminded me of Avery and I started to cry!  I tried to conceal it from him, but being a child, they see all.  He asked me why I was crying, was it because it was Poppas and my song!  I said yes, he said, don't worry, you'll meet him in heaven and you still have me!  

I have grown in strength this week, trying to overcome the lonely feeling when Avery isn't here to do the things they did together.    

I am realizing I want and need to reach out to people more than ever!  This is helping me get through the grief somewhat!  And of course, talking with you has given me more strength to believe I can do this.  
      
Fortunately, my daughter and son-in-law and grandaughter will be here all next week, then I will go and help them the first week of school.  So the next few weeks will be busy.  Reality will hit after that, when the leaves start to change (already started).  It can be a lonley fall on the lake when the stillness hits! 

Kind Regards,

Jane
     
   
     
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Reply by Cath1
24 Aug 2012, 2:52 PM

Good morning, Jane (PPP):

I am so delighted to hear that your time with your grandson has been so special! I actually got teary-eyed when I read what he said to you when you got emotional as the song played on the radio and reminded you of Avery. His response to you left me breathless for an instant as did your ability to risk being vulnerable with your grandson. Oh my goodness, out of the mouths of babes indeed! And what a gift you have given to him, Jane, to let him see that you are human and hurting. I believe so strongly that children need to experience moments like you and your grandson shared in order to help them build resilience and empathy as they and we grow in understanding together. I love your grandson and I don't even know him - lol - but seriously when you shared what he said I can imagine how sweet a boy he is and how much he loves you and his Poppa! What a tender moment you shared with him and I'm sure that many years from now his wise-beyond-his-years words of comfort will still warm your heart in memory.

It's great that your daughter and son-in-law and granddaughter will join you next week. The weather here in T.O. has been absolutely glorious all week as well, and I too can feel autumn in the air. Fall is my favourite time of year. I love the changing colours of the leaves, the freshness in the air, and the return to routines. The kids will be back to school and even though mine are all grown, I think of my grandkids and their parents as they prepare for a new school year. In a way, the back-to-school school season is more like a new year to me than New Year's Day as it is always evident to me how much the children have grown, new school grades and teachers, new dreams to envision, new goals set and summer fun and frolic is left behind as new adventures begin. 

Autumn is a time when I reflect on life more than usual, when things seem to really slow down for me internally, when I feel safest and most at home in the world, though ironically as my life usually gets busier in autumn it is for me a time when I feel most hopeful and content. It was also my Mom's favourite season and in fact her birthday is September 19th - technically summertime - but she was really a fall season kind of girl at heart with her dark hair and eyes and her love of earthy colours. I recall how she looked forward to the weather turning chilly with a crisp breeze in the air as that would signal she could finally wear again her beloved camel-coloured cashmere-like coat!:)

Next week and the week after you will be more occupied with family, and I imagine when you return home that you will feel the loneliness a little more fully which is only natural. When I look back though to your first posts and see how far you've come in these past couple of months your progress is awesome! You express so honestly and poignantly your feelings and you continue to courageously reach out and connect with family and friends to re-discover yourself and to discover your lifeline and your on-going support system. None of us get very far alone in the world. We need one another. You are indeed growing in strength, Jane and I can see it and sense it and I celebrate it with you!

When your life at the lake becomes quieter you may feel more reflective. I suggest that you continue to write, here and perhaps in a journal, because you have a way of making others feel better through your words which help us just as we hope our words help you. Healing is never experienced on a one-way street, Jane and I hope you will realize what a meaningful contribution you make to our Virtual Hospice community.

As summer comes to a close, I am thinking of you and wishing you new adventures this Fall as you continue to grow through your experience of grieving. You always inspire me. Thank you, Jane!:) Until the next time we talk, take care of you and as you do so naturally, take care of others as well.

With affection -hugs - xo PS - Give your incredible grandson a hug from me too!:)
Cath1      


   

      
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