Someday

September 23rd, 2009

It’s been over four years since my mother died and every now and then something will trigger a memory and all of the sudden, the pain bursts in and floods my heart and mind. For a while, I’m right back in that terrible moment when I had to turn over the urn to be interred and my mommy was gone from my care. Forever. The pain and sense of loss are overwhelming. I used to fight against it, but learned that it’s worse that way. Now, when it happens, I just let it. I remember, I cry, I feel.

Mostly I can remember the good times. Mostly I can talk about her without crying. Even talk about her dying and death without crying. But not always.

I’ve met a few other people who have just lost, or are in the process of losing, a parent and they always ask me if it ever stops hurting. I see their shining eyes and clenched jaws and I want to tell them that yes, it stops hurting. I want to give them hope that one day it will be all better. But I don’t. I tell them the truth; which is this:

No, it never stops hurting. There will always be a hole in your heart where your mom/dad used to be. Right now, that hole is raw and bleeding and the most painful thing you can imagine. That hole will always be there, but it won’t always be raw. It will heal and you’ll be all right. You’ll never be same as you were before their death, but you’ll be all right.

I’ll be all right.

Someday.

mom1


20 Responses to “Someday”

  1. k bare - lg on September 23, 2009 9:57 pm

    i love you.

  2. grace on September 23, 2009 10:50 pm

    You have described the pain completely and perfectly!

    You ARE all right! Someday has already come and gone. You are a strong, courageous woman (and pretty too!)

    Of course the pain? It won’t ever go away!

    BTW, your mom is beautiful! I love that picture!

    HUGS!
    grace

  3. Jocelyn Stott on September 24, 2009 12:08 am

    Wow. You just made me cry. Beautiful words. Beautiful photo.

  4. Tess on September 24, 2009 6:39 am

    What a great picture of your mom. I’m so sorry.

  5. donna on September 24, 2009 6:42 am

    You look like her. Beautiful mom, beautiful post, beautiful author.

  6. Mommy Daisy on September 24, 2009 7:09 am

    **HUGS** I can’t imagine. You handle it perfectly though.

  7. Shelly on September 24, 2009 7:47 am

    I’m so sorry.

  8. Devan on September 24, 2009 7:50 am

    ((hugs))

  9. Sarah on September 24, 2009 7:52 am

    I’m so sorry. My mom lost her mother when she was twenty five, and she said the worst times for her, memory-wise, were when she was pregnant or had little babies. It’s just a time when you want your mom, period, and nothing else will do. I know no one can make that pain go away for you, but know that we love you!

  10. Jess on September 24, 2009 10:14 am

    You are all right, really, mostly. I haven’t lost a parent but I’ve lost other people who were close to me and you are right that there is always a hole but it isn’t always raw. We all will be all right, eventually.

  11. Debbie on September 24, 2009 10:18 am

    Yes! I can’t mention her name before tears well up in my eyes. My mom died two years ago yesterday. I miss her every day. She was my best friend, the one I called ten times a day. No, the pain is always there and I just hope she is watching over me while I go through this life without her.
    I feel your pain. The Alzheimers took her but I always knew she knew me.

  12. Shelly on September 24, 2009 11:48 am

    I love you and I have every faith that your mom looks after you each and every day.

  13. Jana on September 24, 2009 6:22 pm

    I can’t even imagine the range of emotions that comes with losing a parent, but from your eloquent post, I think you probably described it perfectly. Big hugs.

    P.S. You have her smile.

  14. heather~Domestic Extraordinaire on September 25, 2009 6:57 am

    I couldn’t have said it better myself. Although I seem to think that losing my mom would be so much more painful than it was when I lost my dad. (((hugs)))

  15. Artemisia on September 25, 2009 10:42 am

    You are so smart and strong. One of the things coming out in therapy is that I never let myself FEEL my mother’s death. I sort of observed it in everyone else, but remained detached from the fact that I, too, lost her.

    You are going to be alright. I am going to be alright. And we will be better people for having loved and been loved.

  16. Jenna on September 25, 2009 10:45 am

    Beautiful post Erica. Your grace and strength impress me.

  17. the new girl on September 25, 2009 11:40 am

    Oh, it’s so true. I find that the longer it is, the better I am day-to-day but those moments can bring you RIGHT BACK.

    I love that picture.
    xo

  18. Heather on September 25, 2009 12:48 pm

    Such a beautiful, heartfelt post.

  19. Suzy Voices on September 27, 2009 2:37 pm

    Big hugs to you. I cannot imagine losing my mom. I would feel so lost.

  20. Tio Steve on October 17, 2009 9:44 pm

    The pic of your mom really captures her as I remember her. Cute beyond her years, and just caught making a sharp but hilarious crack, probably at you. Love you! And honored to have shared a few special times with her.

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