Words of encouragement needed.
I’m so tired and I just want this job to be finished and have a chance to deal with the grief. I guess what brought these feelings to the surface is, I have to go through all of the files and "stuff" at my parents house to make sure personal information doesn't get in the trash. I found a folder that Dad kept while Mom was dying, I’ve been crying off and on ever since. I try to stay strong and positive. I’m so tired of doing everything, trying to keep it fair and being portrayed as the bad guy. They don’t think that this is stressful for me. I had to watch my Mom and Dad die slowly day after day. Everything in the house reminds me of that.
I get mad at myself, because at times I’m too trusting and get manipulated by the siblings who are just trying to get their way, no matter how unfair it is. But I guess they are right, I would give everything away to people I care about.
I think I need a cheerleader.
You are a wondeful daughter and doing something few would do. It sounds as if you are going through anticpatory grief. I cannot imagine taking care of two parents.
I know about the fatigue. Do you receive hospice or pallative care for your parents? Do you get any help?
You can do this, but you need to have some breaks. There are so many emotions that one goes through in caregiving. I know some days I am just so tired of it all, I just collapse in bed and cry. I also go to therapy and have some medication that helps with the stress and anxiety.
My prayers are with you,
Dina
Dina, thank you so much for your kind words. I did have anticipatory grief with both of my parents, caring for them was so difficult. Lots of crying too, as you mentioned. Now that my caregiving journey is over, I thought I was handling things well, but I guess alot of grief is lurking below the surface. I keep thinking that when I get the estate settled I will be able to relax.
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
My father hoarded boxes and records. Two or three months after he died, I knew it was time to start clearing things. Surprisingly, the little boxes he had made a fortress from were almost empty. The dining room was filled with boxes of old financial and medical records.I knew it would take quite a few days to sort and shred. Most of the things in the boxes hit the shredder. Occasionally as I shredded, I stopped and thought about how I was so easily shredding the life of my father. He never looked in the boxes, but it was important to him, I guess, that he had all his life records in boxes. It is true that we didn't have a dining room because of them, but he had to keep things.
So I shredded his life for days. I also got a chance to learn about the last 25 years of my parents' lives. I saw things that they bought, places they went, how little money they made. Shredding the records let me know them as people and not just as parents.
I believe doing these things are important in letting go when it is time. Maybe these things are even part of the grieving process, like looking through a photograph album, but seeing the real picture of their lives and not just a pose for the camera.
Big hugs for you, Care. I know you are tired, but these things pass and leave good thoughts when they do.
Thank you so much everyone. I shall trudge on.....
(and also look for a shredder)
Take it easy on yourself and cry when you feel like it. You're undergoing some overwhelming feelings and so much practical stuff to deal with IS a burden, especially when grieving. My dad died in 2010. Moved my mom to our house three months later and she brought her whole 'house' full of goods here. Mom moved to AL three months later. Gah! Whole 'nother story. It's all here on AC somewhere.
Anyway, two years and three months later, there are still boxes I can't bear to open. I pretty much know what's in them, so many memories *sigh*, but I'm not ready for the grief they will bring back. I loved my dad dearly, and days do get better. His mementos will age like a fine wine, and until I know I'm able to appreciate them fully and can handle it, I'll just leave them be.
I've come to the point where I can accept life will never be 'normal' in the way I knew it before life changed. It no longer hurts like being cut with a dull knife daily. Pricks with a pin, sure I still feel those almost everyday. Dreading losing my mom someday. At least I won't have a whole full of stuff to deal with, but it will be very painful just the same.
((Hugs)) to you. You WILL get through this, somehow and come out on the other side. It WILL be different and that will take some adjusting too. It's a journey. There is no right or wrong in grieving. There is no timeline for your feelings, despite what some blissfully ignorant person may tell you. They will all be on the same path someday. It's part of the human experience. Not one we ever wanted to know about, once we're there, but we're here all the same. No one is ever prepared for these feelings. It's not really imaginable until you've experienced it.
Take care, Care. Wishing you a good night's rest and a better day tomorrow.
Wish me luck in getting through this week and maintaining a positive attitude and get this finished.
I hope it all goes well. But if they push you too far, you let it rip, okay? Sometimes, our siblings need to know that we're not always pushovers. HUGS!!!
My dear mother passed five years ago from cancer. I still dream of her and I swear, at times, I vision her near me.
I know of people whose parents have been gone for years and they think of them everyday. But, time does heal, you just never forget.
Those will become good memories one day. Each time you find yourself doing something or saying something your parents would say or do, that's their imprints on your life.
Take Care,
Dina Grey