I'm in California. Visiting my Aunt. It's so weird not to say "my aunt and uncle," but I lost my Uncle a few weeks ago.
It was a hard visit. The look in her eye was lost. They were married for 73 years and now he's not there. They had no children. If they were bitter--they never ever showed it. During the times of IF hell, they were my rocks. They refused to accept that life without children had no meaning. They also said that their nieces and nephews were more devoted to them than some of their friends children--and we were. We are. All of us offered to have Aunt Vivian come and stay with us, but since we are east coasters and my Aunt thinks of 85 degrees as comfortably cool she said no.
It is the third time I have had to comfort after such a loss. The first was my grandfather, when I was 15. My grandparents missed their 65th anniversary by 8 months.
The second was my father, after my mom passed. They missed their 65th anniversary by 1 month and 19 days.
People don't know what to do or say.
They don't.
People kept calling the loss "a blessing." My aunt, who never swears--I mean she thinks "hell" is bad language told someone that calling this a blessing was "bullshit." I stared at her for about two minutes totally speechless. I was stunned to learn she knew the word--much less could use it in a sentence.
I took Lotus to see her and help comfort. It was disquieting for everyone, but eventually I think this will be good for Lotus. She's going to need to do this--and she rose to the challenge. She drew a picture of her self with a heart and her name. My aunt said it was beautiful.
None of us get through life untouched by loss. Lotus had one early on. It helps to help others.
Now to address my own grief at some point. Probably I'll do what I normally do. Hold it in for a while and then totally lose it. Ah, something to look forward to.
I'm sorry for your loss, but glad you brought Lotus with you. I vividly remember my first lost (maternal grandfather) when I was 14, and not only was I devastated by his death, I was also upset to be excluded from the wake and funeral. At the time, my mother thought it wasn't the place for me and my younger sister (and she was trying to handle her own emotions at the time too, so I don't blame her), but I think it would've helped my grieving process. You, your aunt, and your family are in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteHolding you in my heart. It is so hard but so important to be there. Though take care of yourself, too! Vent to us.
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