I feel like I only post about all the fun, positive and post worthy things we do. This post is going to be different. This week has been really emotional for me and I couldn't figure out why. Through talking with Jake and having some alone time I have been trying to get out of this "funk" as I call it. I finally realized that all my thoughts would end up being about Ryan. For some reason, I thought, this week I am just really missing him and really feeling his absence in my life. It has been two and a half years since his passing, but I realize grieving is not over for me. It has been like a roller coaster. Sometimes, like this week, this happens: I go along the road of life as a happy mom, having fun with her four year old and baby and then all the sudden out of no where, bamb! It's like this invisible mist that creeps up, day by day, month by month, unknowingly to me, and then suddenly shows itself and pounces on me. It started before Caleb's birthday, and putting two and two together I realize that I have these two very strong conflicting feelings, which leaves me to be just a crazy emotional person. I was so extremely happy, beyond words, beyond anything I could ever try and describe to you, to be celebrating a one year birthday for Caleb... how long I have waited for this day! Yet at the same time, I was very very sad that I never got to do that with Ryan and sad about how much I wish I could have. Then I feel guilty about feeling that way because I should be focusing on adorable Caleb. I don't know, might seem odd to you, but I have been just totally missing him this week and just wishing, wishing it could have been different. But it's not, and it won't ever be and I am learning how to accept that, even now two years later, especially on weeks like this. Luckily these episodes aren't frequent anymore, they are very random and seldom now, but they still hurt and are tiring. Tiring because it's like starting all over when it hits, going through all the phases, letting all of it ("it" meaning sadness) come through my system so that when I'm done, I can be over it, be strong again for my family and be happy. I just really want to be happy, it's been a long week, the most happiest week, but long.
I wanted to share this, written by a woman that I admire, who has been where I have been : ...What it’s like to have a special needs kid. Essentially, it said it’s like preparing to go on a trip to Italy, learning all about Italy and hearing what Italy is like from all your friends who have been there, packing for Italy and getting on a plane to Italy. Then when you land, you realize the plane has actually landed in Holland…at first you are just surprised to be in Holland because you knew so much about Italy and not Holland, but from the second you step off the plane, Holland is not only incredible but better than Italy…and Holland actually becomes home.
Ryan is my Holland and he has my heart. I didn't write this to get sympathy or have people worry, it just needed to be written. On a lighter note....
Pictures of Caleb's birthday party to come... :)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
(
Atom
)



.gif)
4 comments :
I think its good that you are able to write down some of these feelings you have. Life is full of conflicting emotions, and you are perfectly normal to feel extreme happiness and sadness at the same time. You are such a great mother to ALL of your boys and the fact that you still keep Ryan in your heart and mind shows what a great and loving person you are.
Ashley,
I have been thinking alot about your family, especially Ryan this past week. You guys are just always there in the back of my mind, I think. When I think about you and Jake, I always think about how strong you guys are. You guys are amazing to me. It's okay to be human and have the feelings you are having. I don't think you could ever be done grieving. When I think about Ryan I always think about where he is, and even though he is not here with us and that is unbelievably SAD, and unbareable, it brings me happiness knowing where he is, and the safty, peace and happiness that surrounds him. I LOVE you and your sweet family so much, and I miss, miss, miss you guys! I hope this week is a better week!!!
Thanks for posting Ashley. Grief is so personal, and quite a rollercoaster. Instead of Italy or Holland, I feel like I'm in the middle of the ocean somewhere, not knowing where I "should" be. Someday I'll figure that out I suppose. Anyway, thinking of you. Your boys are precious and darling. Hugs!
We love you guys!!! Our thoughts and prayers go out to you!!!
Post a Comment