I have been going to my widows grief group for a year now. It’s been 16 months yesterday. I realized that tonight at the group. I thought it was only 15. Only. Will the 9th ever pass one day without me counting the month? I forgot month 16. What does that mean?
I had a very hard time in the group today bringing myself into the grief world. Letting myself “go there”. I came in laughing with a friend and it was like a shock to my system when everyone was meditating and deep breathing. “Wait, go back to laughing! Don’t think about that sadness! Don’t let the tears come”, said my body. I was the first to talk and share my story. A shock to get my brain in grief gear. Wait, I haven’t told this story in a month. Can’t we talk about work or my dogs or tacky Christmas sweaters?
What does that mean? I think I need to share the story more and remember more.
I see the new widows and widowers come in and I am reminded of the shock, the uncontrollable shaking, the gasping for breath, the racing thoughts, the falling down sobbing. It hurts to be reminded of that, but maybe it is a good thing to have that reminder. And maybe it’s a good thing for them to see that one day you might walk into the group laughing.