I don't know how to start this so I'm going to just type what comes through my mind and how I'm feeling.
When we have someone available to stay with Scott and Frances I go to the once monthly ALS caregivers support group. There I met Donna who is the wife of Larry. Larry has ALS.
Yesterday morning Scott told me that Larry passed away on Thursday night.
Strangely, the news hit me hard. I'd only met Larry once, and his wife a couple of times. He had the same disease that Frances is dying from and that is almost like a bond bringing you closer together.
To put how I’m really feeling into words is that I'm scared.
I'm scared that I'm not strong enough. I'm scared because this will be the first death of a family member I'm close to. And although this fear has been in the back of my mind since I moved up here, it's gotten worse.
I think this fear is what has been causing problems around the house. After almost 5 months of getting close to the family here, I'm trying to distance myself so it doesn't hurt so badly. But I'm not succeeding. I'm only causing more pain, and not just to me. I'm causing pain to everyone in the household. Scott is getting frustrated with me. The girls are wondering where the fun Jenny they love is. And worst of all, I've hurt Frances. Not physically hurt her but through the things I've forgotten to do, the things I've said, have led her to be hurt and Scott to get upset with me.
I don't want to leave. And the family doesn't want me to leave. But I have to work through this fear.
I feel like God led me here and is now holding me at arm’s length. I feel like I can't find him. And it's painful emotionally and now physically. My body is hurting.
I just want to be left alone to work through this but I also want human comfort. For those of you who have read about love languages, I am a physical touch person. I miss being hugged by my mom. I miss being held and comforted by my sisters when I need to cry. And unfortunately having the kids come hug me or sit in my lap only takes care of part of that emotional yearning to be held and I don't have anyone else to turn to.
I don't know where to go or what to do. I need to repair the pain and problems I've caused but I don't know how. I'm searching for an answer and I don't have one. Not for myself and not for the loved ones who are asking.
When we have someone available to stay with Scott and Frances I go to the once monthly ALS caregivers support group. There I met Donna who is the wife of Larry. Larry has ALS.
Yesterday morning Scott told me that Larry passed away on Thursday night.
Strangely, the news hit me hard. I'd only met Larry once, and his wife a couple of times. He had the same disease that Frances is dying from and that is almost like a bond bringing you closer together.
To put how I’m really feeling into words is that I'm scared.
I'm scared that I'm not strong enough. I'm scared because this will be the first death of a family member I'm close to. And although this fear has been in the back of my mind since I moved up here, it's gotten worse.
I think this fear is what has been causing problems around the house. After almost 5 months of getting close to the family here, I'm trying to distance myself so it doesn't hurt so badly. But I'm not succeeding. I'm only causing more pain, and not just to me. I'm causing pain to everyone in the household. Scott is getting frustrated with me. The girls are wondering where the fun Jenny they love is. And worst of all, I've hurt Frances. Not physically hurt her but through the things I've forgotten to do, the things I've said, have led her to be hurt and Scott to get upset with me.
I don't want to leave. And the family doesn't want me to leave. But I have to work through this fear.
I feel like God led me here and is now holding me at arm’s length. I feel like I can't find him. And it's painful emotionally and now physically. My body is hurting.
I just want to be left alone to work through this but I also want human comfort. For those of you who have read about love languages, I am a physical touch person. I miss being hugged by my mom. I miss being held and comforted by my sisters when I need to cry. And unfortunately having the kids come hug me or sit in my lap only takes care of part of that emotional yearning to be held and I don't have anyone else to turn to.
I don't know where to go or what to do. I need to repair the pain and problems I've caused but I don't know how. I'm searching for an answer and I don't have one. Not for myself and not for the loved ones who are asking.
WOW! Sis you are only human. GOD loves you no matter what. Scott, Frances, and the girls LOVE you too. It's hard being to someone so close and being fearful of death. Your doing the best you can do. I'm PROUD OF YOU!!! It's not easy. It does take a toll on you to where you are burnt out and not yourself anymore. Your being consumed by emotions and life. I don't know how you do what you do Jenny. When my Aunt died it hit me hard. Live in the moment, not the past. We can't change the past, you can't predict the future but LIVE IN THE MOMENT. I love you and I'm always a phone call away. Miss you!
ReplyDeleteI admire you and the strength that you have had to come as far as you have. You have helped Scott and Frances so much by being there and I am sure that they don't want you to leave. May you find the peace that you need to get through this period of personal conflict that you are experiencing. My prayers are with you Jenny.
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