A couple of years into figuring it all out, is when you might consider dating and looking for love again, all with the idea and anticipation of ending the unmistakeable isolation. Certainly, it would be much more fun and probably rather entertaining to tell some of the tales I have catalogued while engaging what is somewhat of a foreign dating scene, I thankfully said goodbye to when I married my one.
But for now, I want to talk about the actual dates on a calendar. You know, the one that became brazenly branded into your brain like a hot iron to the backside of cattle. At some point, it may be necessary for me to thank the stupor of grief, because early on, the date of loss seemed to have a subtle influence over my day to day to dos.
As I regained more functional consciousness, the date of inconceivable emotional damage began to circle this new identity and without warning staked claim over most of my thoughts.
Everything You Do
Everything you do, consider, think about, remember, and or plan will revolve around that date. As I approached each meaningful event immediately following Patrick’s death, like birthdays, holidays, and family milestones, each became a delineation in my heart of “before” or “after” Patrick had passed away.
Frankly, in my mind, I would catch myself retracing the occasion to recall if this took place while Patrick was on this earth or not.
Talk about all consuming and at times physically draining, it then occurred to me, that this was yet another component of death that not only required understanding, but also, the ability to tolerate its presence alongside me in this new scope of life. Agreeing to a peaceful coexistence with such an ambiguous facet of grief was the only way I would have a fair chance of winning this head game.
“Agreeing to a peaceful coexistence with such an ambiguous facet of grief was the only way I would have a fair chance of winning this head game.”
The first couple of anniversaries post September 18, 2015, I would hyper fixate on this date with deliberate loathing and disdain as if it were the cloaked culprit and true root of all our infinite pain. Preparing for this day each year, I made meager attempts to find anything constructive the chickadees and I could do to celebrate, our guy, the center square in our family’s unfinished life tapestry.
It is counterintuitive and almost cruel to plan a jubilant occasion that by mere existence is the solitary result of long-lasting and incomprehensible aching. Basically, the ideology does not jive logically and especially emotionally with any degree of common sense.
When the uninvited reaper forced us to waive our unrealized dreams, I persuaded myself, it was beyond acceptable to carefully craft and lie in my own field of pity. All the while, perfectly content justifying my desire and right to wallow alone in this hopelessness until the end of time.
As eluded to earlier, I accept as true, sorrow to be the utmost distorter of perspective. Perspective has a Latin root meaning “look through” or “perceive”, and all the meanings of perspective have something to do with seeing or one’s frame of reference. Slowly, I began to acknowledge that my mind’s lens was viewing and processing everything entirely through the perspective of death.
It wasn’t until my 9 and 11 year olds, not so subtly, told me that they could no longer live each day with the rampant undertones of falling tears and if daddy was still here, he would want us all to laugh again, did I snap out of it. It was painstaking but I truly internalized this request and understood if I didn’t change my outlook on life, it was quite possible, that I could inflict incrementally more long-term damage on our children than the actual loss of their father.
This concept was an instant deal breaker for me and to a mother’s genetically wired instinct which is to ferociously nurture and protect her family regardless of the self-sacrifice required.
Adjusting Perspective
This reality check made a couple of things abundantly clear; First, my frequent crying sessions would have to be held more privately away from my children, and if I was to ever model or reconstruct any semblance of a healthy living environment for our party of three, a complete overhaul of my perspective and thought process had to happen and take charge!
The simple tips that I unknowingly embraced disclosed real value, freedom to change, and delicate direction to even slightly happier days which ultimately became my catalyst of hope. The pointers came freely and big-heartedly from those closest to me.
They included things like: change your previous routine, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance with anything, walk away from additional negativity, begin to expand your horizons about personal purpose, and finally leave two-dimensional thinking behind.
Welcome Insights
These insights and wisdoms were discovered only when I began taking control away from the ogre of grief and redirecting it to fuel the betterment of my family’s future. Inadvertently, I became the trailblazer of our household, and suddenly, the primary instinct became to lead and no longer follow. This revelation had to be the out and out turning point of my personal healing as it generated a novel purpose to my life that I was previously incapable of noticing.
The mental somersault helped me focus on the many, many positive growth effects our family experienced subsequent to loss. This was an awe-inspiring sense of self moment that graciously presented itself, and finally, taught me that understanding or getting the answer to “why did this happen” was no longer valid or linked to our ultimate contentment and peace.
My new touchstone: Forget the reason, pursue the meaning….
Just beautiful… love to you all
You are awe inspiring. I have so much i could say but i will say them to you in a call.
You are an inspiration
You have always amazed me!! Your strength and beauty radiates out to others inspiring them from near or far. Thank you for sharing ❤️
So strong- love you♥️
Wow Kelly! That is incredible and words to live by!!
Love you all!
This is heartfelt and amazing. I’m so proud of you!
What incredible insight into what your journey has brought you to over the last 5 years.
Beautiful sentiments, beautifully written. Much love to you and your family.❤️❤️❤️
Much love to you Kelly and your beautiful children. We don’t know how strong we are until we have no choice but to be. Your strength is amazing.
Kelly, you are truly the epitome of strength and womanhood in the most admirable way. I will always have the utmost respect for the grace you have exemplified through this most trying time.
Love and Peace My Sister/Friend!
Eloquently said from a very brave woman. I feel blessed and honored to continue to watch and learn not only from you, but your children. I look forward to seeing what’s next!
We love you, Kelly, Collin and Bianca! Your strength is so inspiring and we are so lucky to be family with you! Sending love and hugs this week and always!
love, Cat and Luke
Thank you for sharing your deep heartfelt insight and perspective.
The three of you will always have Patrick’s encouraging and proud spirit with you. May God continue to bless you as you continue to fulfill your life purpose. XO
Your transparency and genuine heart are just beautiful Kelly. Thank you for sharing your journey with us; as hard and bumpy as it has been, you are an amazing person!
Love,
Wendy
Kelly, I loved reading your words and have been so inspired by your resilience and strength. You and your family are amazing.
So beautifully expressed, so beautifully lived. ❤️
Your writing is fantastic, Kelly!
Kelly,
Thank you for sharing this I lost my father when I was eleven years old. It was very tough on me and I know that it impacted my life forever. I pray that you and your children can grow through this together.
So Wonderful and inspirational , Kelly!
Very well written Kelly… made me a little emotional and I admire you even more for sharing your deep private thoughts with us. Please stay in touch, I wish you luck and all the happiness that you deserve.we love you ! …? Cyrus
You are a courageous woman Kelly. You describe your emotions so honestly and in real colors. I know what you mean. Sharing them with others is empowering.
I went through a similar process in about the same time frame as you did. My loved one Liora died on 8/20/2015. But now, five years latter, I know that only the physical Liora left me. The real Liora is still here and is everywhere I look: our children, grandchildren, extended family, friends, sunrises, sunsets and rainbows. When I am at a loss all I need to do to summon her is ask “what would LIora do”. And she tells me.
And what about our dates, you know like 8/20? Yes, we still have date days. They are only different. After all we do have much to celebrate.
Beautiful Kelly! ❤️
As usual you leave me with no words. You have a gift of expressing your feelings like I have never read before. You and the kids have made tremendous strides over the past five years. I am so very proud of you all. Much love to you all
TeeTee ?
Kelly,
I am just coming across your blog post. Thank you for sharing your intimate thoughts and feelings with us.
God will never leave your side. He is with you in every moment. I cannot imagine the void that Patrick left in your lives. But God is giving you supernatural strength in your inner being, to be the best mama, sister, friend, daughter that you can! You have taught all of us that life is short, and every moment matters.
I love you, Kelly
You and I and the month of September… Being happy is the best way for me to cope! You’re the best.
I think you are the strongest woman
I’ve ever seen. Your blog entry is as compelling and profound as your loss. Barnett Strong!