OLD PAIN-NEW PAIN
4-3-09: This is a rough day for me. It was 29 years ago, today, this was one of the hardest days of my life. Now, it is still hard, but nothing compares to the pain of losing Scott. I have really been struggling, again, about not doing CPR, (although it seemed too late) and wishing I had just gone in Scott's room thirty minutes earlier. I miss my boy so very much! I just keep having flashbacks of finding him. I know he never meant to die. I so often wonder if he laid there, unable to call for help, just dying. It is killing me. I wish there were "do-over's" in real life! I recently read a book about significant things that have happened in the past fifty years. One of the things I read really struck me. It was a quote from a photographer, who later killed himself. He left a note saying, "The pain is greater than the joy." I feel like that. It is not that I don't have joy in my life. I have Craig, Chris, and Adam. I have many wonderful friends. But, it is true, the pain is greater than the joy. I don't know how to make it otherwise. This pain is all consuming. I just keep taking one breath at a time, however. I don't know why. This week, at school, has been hectic. We are doing MAP testing. It has been nice in many ways. I got to get out of my regular routine and work with kids that have some learning problems but are not autistic. It made the week go VERY fast! Seven and one half weeks left of school! YEA and YEA! I did have a funny "boy" thing happen today. At least to me. During MAP testing we give the kids snacks and bottled water. I was walking down the hall and an eighth grade boy, as three girls were passing, put the bottle in his sports pants. You can imagine what it looked like.....I walked by him and told him, "Don't do that. It is so inappropriate." Of course when he saw me he pushed the bottle away. He then denied everything, telling me he did not know what I was talking about. I told him, "Look, Dude, I have raised three sons, don't play me. Just don't do that. You really don't want me to embarrass you, do you?" As I walked around the corner he told his buddy, "I am already emabarrassed." It was funny in the sense that is what fourteen year old boys do. I could've really gotten him in trouble. On the other hand, I think I made more of an impact by just saying what I did, not reporting him, and going on about my business. If I had reported him, he would only be mad and remember having to go to the office. As it is, he only has one thing to remember.... I like to pick my battles. Anyway, I hope it did make an impact. We went to a park for a field trip, today. A picnic. It was nice. The kids just played a lot. I look like a tomato from sitting in the sun. All that fresh air and sunshine really pooped me out! Plus, we had to walk quite a bit to get there, and back. I love to get paid for sitting in the sun! So, life, as painful as it is, goes on.
Replies
Yes, my dear friend, life does go on and we continue to wake up each day and breathe and go to work and come home again etc etc, but it is so hard. Every step feels heavy and every breath is painful. \"The pain is greater than the joy\" but what can we do? Nothing will replace our sons and nothing will compensate for the loss we feel. Nothing. Big hugs to you, Charlotte. xox
Ginger, I do understand your pain and every word you have written! It will always be so for us Moms, but we have to find our joy in little things, and I want to live my life to make my Jamie proud of me. That is the only thing I CAN do now. The hole in my heart and gut will never heal, you can\'t have given birth and be otherwise. I am so sorry you are having to walk this road with me. Tight, tight hugs to you, and please remember, you are not alone, we are walking together. Love, Judy
hugging u close to my heart...i know and understand...luv ya
Ginger, I do know how you feel. I still feel like I am just walking in this life with no direction & no purpose in life. Life does do on but we never ever get over the hurt and pain that is deep down in our hearts. Sending you lots of love & hugs...Connie
Regrettably, pain is a part of life and no one goes through life unbitten. In the begininning I would totally agree that the pain is greater than the joy. I can\'t say it\'s always like that anymore, atleast for me. I do know we have to keep our chin up and stay focused on what matters most, enjoying the life we have left until we see our precious sons again. We do it for them. We do it for our spouses, we do it for our other boys so they will know they aren\'t any less loved, we do it for our students, and we do it for these other women on this site. Life is meant to be enjoyed, not just endured. You are loved. Hoping the week is gentler. Robin
Ginger, I do understand how you feel also. When we found Chris, it was too late, but my husband tried CPR and all I could do was run around crying, screaming and praying. I did not help him and it bothers me so much sometimes that I let him do that by himself. But deep down, I know there was nothing we could do...but it hurts so much. But we do have to go on. Glad you have your other boys to focus on too. Hoping you have a better weekend and a peaceful one. Love, Kim
Ginger, we all feel that the pain will just ovehwelm us and take us over. Having lost both of my sons, I have been very deepm into the darkness and the pain. The grief and pain is all consuming sometimes. You dohave things and people and love left. I know it does not help the hurt or fill the emptiness in your hear and life. Just try to keep going 1 day at a time. I believe you can do this. You are so much stronger than you think you are! My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am here for you if you need to talk. Count on me to be here,love peggy
It is truly one day at a time, for me. I lost my Michael on 11-22-08. I had a total breakdown last night and my mom (I live with her) came in my bedroom to comfort me. I am learning about this journey and so far, the pain is greater than joy since I have no joy except for my other son. So, I live for him now. I struggle, as well, with the wondering of what might have been. Michael died in his friend\'s bathroom, while his friend thought he was in there taking a shower. His friend found him, just too many minutes late. My son still had a pulse, but it was too late for him to be saved. His dear friend struggles as well with this. Dear Ginger, you and I could not have known. Love, Belinda
Ginger, like you I struggle with the pain of loss of my daughter Luchan,the whatifs and guilt have made my life so much harder and miserable.I try to let myself go off the hook of guilt. It doesn\'t work all the time, but I will keep trying.We would have done everything if ever we knew...I have joys in this life, but always mixed with pain and bitterness. I hope that one day I can have the pure joy and happiness again.Your story of the 14 years old boy makes me laugh though, a funny interesting age.send you love and hugs. Robyn
Ginger, I feel so sad for you. I know it\'s so easy to get lost in the pain. But we have to pull ourselves back out and keep going. One day at a time. Find the joy in little things. We can keep asking why, and keep reliving the memory, but it will only make us crazy. We just have to wait for the answer, and I know there is one. For now, I hope you can enjoy your other sons and your husband and the life you have before you. This life here is but a blip in the grand scheme of things, and you will be reunited with Scott soon(even though it doesn\'t make us miss them any less). I hope you have some better days this week. I hope you have some sunshine. Love, Julia
Ginger as I have no magic bullet to help you I will just send you gentle hugs and prayers that one day the joy will be greater than the pain. Love and hugs Cathy