Several people have suggested to me that I write a book, a memoir, about my personal experience with tragedy and grief. I am not sure if I am ready to do that.
I believe I have moved forward some in my grief. I suppose I question if I have moved forward far enough to write my whole story. Somehow, it seems like going back in time--- back to an extremely painful time by reliving and re-examining all the details stored in my heart and mind. I would have to re-visit, in depth, all these memories of my darkest days. Maybe it is best to leave the memories of pain, numbness and paralysis stored in the Pandora's Box of my inner being.
I often think, too, I may not have that much to say. To paraphrase Dr. Phil McGraw, "Life's problems are complicated. The solutions are not." Below are my own personal Twelve Steps I went through and continue to address my grief.
Twelve Steps to Tackle Grief
1) Early on, somehow I realized in the depths of my depression, I had to go on with life or let grief destroy me. I chose to live rather than cause myself or those around me more pain.
2) I sought spiritual guidance from my pastor.
3) I prayed and prayed and did not sustain my anger against God.
4) I joined a pastoral care bereavement support group at a local church.
5) I sought individual counseling for grief therapy.
6) I wrote and wrote in copious journals about my memories, versions of events, my feelings and I began to design and make jewelry.
7) I pray for those involved in my son's death and try to forgive them.
8) I memorialized my son and husband's lives in my children's books which I dedicated to them.
9) I refused to isolate myself and accepted well meaning invitations to get out and about.
10) I returned to work so I would have another focus besides myself.
11) I reached out to help other parents through writing this blog, my web, bio and publicity.
12) I give myself permission to go to a dark place and grieve and climb out the next day.
It doesn't seem so involved or complicated. Was it easy to do these things? No. Was it a straight line forward? No, life always has one or two steps forward and then a couple backward. I had to re-trace my steps sometimes. Did I get frustrated and angry somedays? Yes, but I gave myself permission to go to a dark place somedays with the intention of coming out of it the next day.
My grief journey reminds me of the words of my late husband's cousin. He was a fighter pilot in the Navy. He would say, "Don't look back. Someone could be gaining on you." That "someone" could be "life" and it can pass us by in the time we have left.
A child's death can often signal to us as parents the end of our lives. Years can be spent waiting to die. Is there life for us after the deaths of our children? I believe there is and I believe it is a choice for us as parents. We can take steps to re-kindle a life for ourselves and our families.
