kimblanchard Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 I put this here earlier today and it was moved. Originally, I said I didn't care, but I find I do care that it was moved. And so I am putting it back. I don't read the grieving forum and I suspect countless others don't either, and I want this read. Feel free to not read any further, but I am posting it here again. Curtis I woke up in the middle of the night, and I glanced at the clock on my bedside table, and realized it was September 28, which makes today 18 months since Becky died. I have been thinking about that a lot in this week leading up to today, which is in itself somewhat unusual. For the first four months, I knew how many days it had been; I counted the weeks every Sunday into the 40's, and the 28th was always a sad day the first year. But since March, the 28ths have even passed virtually unnoticed. The sad times have been related to birthdays and Katie starting school and growing up and those kinds of things, rather than markers on a calendar. And funny as that seems, I think that is exactly the reason I am sad today. 2004 lasted about 17 years; 2005 has flowed past as quickly as any other year. The passing of time means distance from Becky and my life as a married man, and it saddens me that the extra distance of each passing day is so negligible. It is something that is comforting and makes my life so much happier and easier now, but I kind of miss the hurting because the hurting told me that I was so much closer. Does that make any sense at all? But whatever the reasons, it has weighed heavy on me the last couple of days in particular. Certainly during Sunday school. Of course, we were discussing the beatitude, "Blessed are they that mourn, for they will comfort and be comforted." (My translation - the word comfort in Greek and in Latin implies both being comforted and doing the comforting, and our translation leaves out half of the blessing.) It is related to being the only dad at the birthday party Katie went to on Sunday. All of the rest of the dads were home watching football or doing whatever they do, and I got to be out at the party hitting on the moms. But I couldn't help reflecting that if Becky were here, I would have been home watching football while she and Katie went to the party, and that I would be the one missing out. Thursday is the first parent-teacher conference. Yet another thing I would gladly have let Becky do. I hope it is productive and not just a love-fest for how amazing Katie is. Of course she is amazing; she is her mother's daughter. But I hope I come out with ideas about how to be a better dad and a better assistant to her education. There is certainly room for improvement; isn't there always? And I am happily dating a woman for the last two months or so. And there is a point in every relationship I have entered where I sit back and think, hey, I don't want to be dating. I want to be married; I want Becky back! Of course, that isn't happening, and so after a little bit I come back into the moment and appreciate what I do have and what I am still capable of building. Anyway, those are my reflections on 18 months. One of my best friends sent me a poem today, and I don't know that anything has hit the nail on the head as much as this has: Living you made it goodlier to live, Dead you will make it easier to die. II With you a part of me hath passed away; For in the peopled forest of my mind A tree made leafless by this wintry wind Shall never don again its green array. Chapel and fireside, country road and bay, Have something of their friendliness resigned; Another, if I would, I could not find, And I am grown much older in a day. But yet I treasure in my memory Your gift of charity, your mellow ease, And the dear honour of your amity; For these once mine, my life is rich with these. And I scarce know which part may greater be,-- What I keep of you, or you rob of me. Curtis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindseysmom Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 Curtis, Thank You for posting this here. I know I would have missed it under the grieving section. You are truly a wonderful person. Best Wishes, Dee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 Hi Curtis, Thanks for posting as it is alwasy good to hear how you and Katie are doing. Sorry to hear you are feeling blue today. Hope you have better tomorrows. Thnking of you. enjoy the parent, teacher meeting. Take care a be good to yourself. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 Curtis, Thank you for sharing. It was so good to see you post. I wish only the best for you and Katie! PS--Also glad to read about the new relationship Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharyn Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 Curtis, Thank you for your post and your thoughtful insight on things... I always enjoy what you have to say.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaffie Posted September 29, 2005 Share Posted September 29, 2005 Good to hear from you Curtis, You are so young you can't be expected to quit living. I hope the lady you are seeing is great with Katie and things work out for you. Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted September 29, 2005 Share Posted September 29, 2005 beautiful post, curtis. I hope your new girlfriend appreciates what a lovely soul you are, and how courageous. xoxo bunny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancy c Posted September 30, 2005 Share Posted September 30, 2005 I am so sorry for your pain. You have though, explained how I feel. It has only been 14 weeks since I lost my husband--but to me it feels like 10 years. Those days don't go fast for me--the hurt I feel everyday--drags on. I hope you find peace and happiness in your life. You are a wonderful father.. you are there in person for your Katie. She will always remember you being there for her. God bless you. Nancy C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail p-m Posted September 30, 2005 Share Posted September 30, 2005 Curtis Thanks for catching us up on you and Katie. May I just say one thing as a Grade 3 teacher -- occasionally, there are parent-teacher interviews where I will say to a parent that they are doing a wonderful job with their child and I don't have any further suggestions except to keep up the wonderful things that they are already doing to contribute to "X" being such a fine student.. I'm not a real "easy-going" teacher so if that comes from me, believe me, it's genuine. I used to hear similar things about 2 of my 4 children and I couldn't have been more honored or proud. Teachers usually had suggestions for the other two though! Anyway, it was good to hear from you again. gail p-m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted September 30, 2005 Author Share Posted September 30, 2005 I have asked that my profile be deleted, and this will be the last message that I leave at this site. I wish for you all that everyday be meaningful for as many days as we all have. Curtis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O Posted September 30, 2005 Share Posted September 30, 2005 Your words are a gift Curtis. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhutch1366 Posted September 30, 2005 Share Posted September 30, 2005 Thank you for sharing, Curtis. Hugs to you and Katie. XOXOX MaryAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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