"It's the best of times, and the worst of times." -- My therapist, today
Today was a tearful session. My therapist told me that she's very busy this time of year, and that it's the "best of times" for her because it was the "worst of times" for everyone else. That sounds sick, but I swear the comment was funny because it was delivered with an awareness of how dark it sounded. Okay, so I'm struggling right now, but I'm not alone.
These months, and this year, brings a lot to the table. Last month, the day went by that marked 10 years from when Brian proposed to me. I never would have imagined that my life would have taken a full circle of a detour and put me back into the same place -- cohabitating with a boyfriend, childless, and working on a path to my intended legal career. But alas, what I thought was a path to one destination was really a much longer and more winding road to somewhere else entirely. (I'm happy to say that, while it wasn't where I thought I'd be, I quite like where I've landed.)
There are the holidays themselves, of course, too. Christmas, New Year's Eve. There are the normal feelings of wanting to see everyone and balance time between immediate and extended families, though my situation is somewhat unique in that "family" includes three sets -- mine, my late husband's, and my boyfriend's. Sheldon will be meeting Brian's extended family -- grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc. this year. I have no worries about families blending, though, and we are fortunate enough to be able to take off enough time to see everyone, so while things may be hectic, at least we will be able to join all the celebrations and enjoy the company of so many that we love. The only downside is that I'm already having anxiety about gift-giving, packing and shipping. I'm going to have to face this soon, and just start making lists and tackling tasks.
Again, not so bad. Brian and I used to spend weeks criss-crossing Iowa to see everyone and attend every family celebration, company party, and friendly holiday cocktail parties; it could be exhausting, but I always tried to remind him that, if our biggest complaint was that we had too many holiday events, it was simply a reflection of how much love we had in our lives. I can't imagine what he'd think of me adding another family and another entire state to the equation, and doing it all from a distance to boot!
No, there's more. Brian would have been 34 this month. I will be turning 32, one year older than he ever got to be. This will be the first time I have a birthday that he didn't get.
January doesn't get too much easier. We started dating in early January (1996). He died in mid-January. It will be three years this year. It was two years ago this month that I said good-bye to our home in Iowa and packed up to move to Texas.
This is a lot to get through in the next five or six weeks. It's going to be a long holiday road. Of course, I guess there's more scenery to enjoy on the longer roads, and the destination can be unexpectedly fantastic.
Today was a tearful session. My therapist told me that she's very busy this time of year, and that it's the "best of times" for her because it was the "worst of times" for everyone else. That sounds sick, but I swear the comment was funny because it was delivered with an awareness of how dark it sounded. Okay, so I'm struggling right now, but I'm not alone.
These months, and this year, brings a lot to the table. Last month, the day went by that marked 10 years from when Brian proposed to me. I never would have imagined that my life would have taken a full circle of a detour and put me back into the same place -- cohabitating with a boyfriend, childless, and working on a path to my intended legal career. But alas, what I thought was a path to one destination was really a much longer and more winding road to somewhere else entirely. (I'm happy to say that, while it wasn't where I thought I'd be, I quite like where I've landed.)
There are the holidays themselves, of course, too. Christmas, New Year's Eve. There are the normal feelings of wanting to see everyone and balance time between immediate and extended families, though my situation is somewhat unique in that "family" includes three sets -- mine, my late husband's, and my boyfriend's. Sheldon will be meeting Brian's extended family -- grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc. this year. I have no worries about families blending, though, and we are fortunate enough to be able to take off enough time to see everyone, so while things may be hectic, at least we will be able to join all the celebrations and enjoy the company of so many that we love. The only downside is that I'm already having anxiety about gift-giving, packing and shipping. I'm going to have to face this soon, and just start making lists and tackling tasks.
Again, not so bad. Brian and I used to spend weeks criss-crossing Iowa to see everyone and attend every family celebration, company party, and friendly holiday cocktail parties; it could be exhausting, but I always tried to remind him that, if our biggest complaint was that we had too many holiday events, it was simply a reflection of how much love we had in our lives. I can't imagine what he'd think of me adding another family and another entire state to the equation, and doing it all from a distance to boot!
No, there's more. Brian would have been 34 this month. I will be turning 32, one year older than he ever got to be. This will be the first time I have a birthday that he didn't get.
January doesn't get too much easier. We started dating in early January (1996). He died in mid-January. It will be three years this year. It was two years ago this month that I said good-bye to our home in Iowa and packed up to move to Texas.
This is a lot to get through in the next five or six weeks. It's going to be a long holiday road. Of course, I guess there's more scenery to enjoy on the longer roads, and the destination can be unexpectedly fantastic.
eye on the prize, my friend.... february! hang in there. love from va, kg
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