Tis The Season…For Mourning
Posted on December 19th, 2007 in Does All Her Own Stunts, Emotional Angst
You know, perhaps it's sinisterly appropriate that the one year (in the past 10 or so) that I actually get excited about Christmas, and all hell has to break loose.
First, my dear friends Master Anakin and Padme lost their grandmother. I sent them some flowers to express my most sincere sympathies, and to show my support and friendship during this difficult time. I've thought of them often and we've been keeping in close touch over e-mail since they have been busy with funeral arrangements and the like.
Next, Jack got a phone call that his grandmother had also passed away. It was unexpected and rather shocking. I'm still not sure that it's totally hit home. Jack was very close to his grandmother and will be attending the funeral this weekend. Due to the distance and how precarious the arrangements would be, I am unable to go with him, which is breaking my heart. Nothing can be done unfortunately, so we just have to tough it out, but it's a very painful time.
Then last night Nia messaged me asking if I would be able to take her to the vets office. One of her pets was dying and she wanted to say goodbye to him and be able to bring the body home so that she can take it for burial this Friday. I said of course I would drive her over. Jack wasn't home yet, so I loaded up the kiddos and we waited outside of the clinic while she went in. Jack was in the area on his way home from work, so he stopped by and picked up the kids from me.
After it was over we got Starbucks and I drove her home and gave her hugs and support. We hung out for a bit and went over a few instructions for looking after her pets (I am caring for them while she is away next week). She has done us big favours a couple of times, watching the kids on short notice so that he and I can go to appointments and the like, I am more than happy to look after her furry little ones.
With everything going on, I am relieved to have my shopping done. Blogging may be light over the next week or so, since I am struggling just to get this post finished. It can be tough to accomplish any writing when your mind is elsewhere. If you think you might miss me too much, come and hang out on Twitter, since I seem to be able to update that several times a day. Probably because it only requires me to come up with a sentence or two, and not a whole paragraph or more.
In spite of all the sadness, I am still looking forward to Christmas. Chalk it up to my need to push forward and find the positive in every situation. Is there anything positive about death? Yes, if the person was suffering or no longer wished to live. It's been a year of learning that no matter how bleak things seem, there are always things, people, aspects of life for which you can be grateful. Perhaps this was a fitting end to 2007. I say that not to be dismissive of how sad and grievous it all is, but because when life forces you to put things into perspective, it could always be so much worse.
Perhaps take some extra time this year to remind your friends and family that you love them. Sometimes we don't get a chance to say goodbye before they are gone.
Published by Shasta
December 19th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Dear Shasta,
That is a beautiful post and I really do like that picture of the black rose too which went with the post. I really loved the pink roses you sent us during our difficult time. We got them during a very difficult moment of telling our kids the bad news. Your friendship has meant a lot to me through the last month of losing Grandma A.
My sincere condolences go to Jack and your family and his family also with the loss of his grandma. I know very well how that can feel like, especially right before the holidays. I am very sad that you can’t be there with the funeral. I can imagine how hard that is for you.
It has brought me great comfort to have your friendship in my life during the rough times for both of us lately.
I need to check out Twitter. I havn’t been on the computer much lately. It sounds neat.
I really hope you are able to have a merry christmas through it all. I know you were excited about it this year.
XOXO
padme amidala
Reply To The Above Comment
December 19th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Give my warmest sympathies to Jack. I too lost a Grandmother a few years back, whom I was very close to and love dearly.
I also hope that you are doing ok considering all thats going on.
*hugs*
~Esi
Reply To The Above Comment
December 19th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
my condolences hun, if you need to talk or something i’m here for you, even if i am on the other side of the country and hardly ever at home >.<;;; but when i’m here, i’m here for you, you can always call me if you really need to talk, if you need my # again i can always give it to you *lots and lots of hugs* ~ty~
Reply To The Above Comment
December 20th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
My sympathies to you both. It seems as though this really is the season for mourning. My boyfriend’s 21 year old cousin died after a rather short fight with leukemia two weeks ago. I don’t know how we’re supposed to say “Merry Christmas” to his family this year.
Reply To The Above Comment
December 21st, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Thank you, all of you for the comments. Jack and I both appreciate them right now.
We are hanging in there. He’s off to the funeral and I am doing my best to support him from afar (hooray for text messaging).
Christmas isn’t always a merry time, but I hope we can all make the best of it.
XOXO
Shasta
Reply To The Above Comment
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:37 pm
my condolences to you both, My sisters husband… my best friend comitted suicide just a few months ago, this is going to be a hard xmas to get through, but close friends and family is all you need to help ease the pain, And yes you are right, take whatever chances you get to tell those you love how you feel, because its too easy to take the simple things for granted, you and jack are in my thoughts.
~michelle
Reply To The Above Comment