Wednesday ART THERAPY

Don't forget to wear your best duds this weekend.

 

Haha!! Very informal here: short sleeve
shirts, shorts, & sneakers. PT was good.
I will alternate between the original PT
and the asst. , who helped me today. So
glad you're back with us, my friend. GIC
wouldn't be the same without you. Lou

 

Yap, dress down. You don't want to look like a tourist. Do you wear those baseball hats? I'm really tired of looking at them and prefer straw hats on men or any other hats.
So glad PT helped. Keep it up your leg will thank you.

My house is so void I can hardly stand to be in it without Rambo. So, here I am posting nothings to fill in the gap. Oh well, such is a lonely woman. K

 

Karen,

I "get" what you mean about your house feeling so empty... I'm feeling this way today BIG!!! TIME!!! too. I know it's not the same, Rambo's death is still so very recent..., while my very favorite fur baby died over seven years ago. Just thinking about how you must be feeling made those floodgates open. I need a tissue... It SUCKS!!!

Like Lou, I'm very glad you're "visiting" TGW, your GIC "family..." I know virtual hugs aren't nearly as good as in person hugs, but sending you lots more virtual hugs... I wish there was something more I could do to help get you through these over the top miserable days... I just kicked the F*CK!!! out of Mr. Grief for you, for both of us... (I wish it was really as easy as one super hard kick... Daydreaming can be a very good thing.)

As always, sending you lots more hugs and love, wishing you peace, all of us peace. DEB

 

Karen,I'm not a sports fanatic, so I don't
wear Boston Red Sox or Patriots' caps. But,
I wear caps with subtle logos, with mesh
in the back ( to keep cool) and a visor in
front to shield my eyes from the sun. The
sunglasses complete the picture. Being
short, I like these caps,which everyone
wears here. I'd feel ridiculous if I wore a
cowboy hat, even though I liked TV
Westerns as a kid. I'm lonely when I go
home at night, but I love the summer,bc
I can be out all day. I wish I could say I
always eat healthy foods, but, lately,
I've been craving hamburgers, hot dogs.
and soft serve ice cream. About to walk
down to ocean. I hear it's crowded with
locals and tourists.Keep writing!! Lou

 

Deb, keep on kicking Mr. G!!! Hope you
can take long walks again, soon. Lou

 

Thank you Helena, those memories are so special so wonderful, so life is wonderful and perfect. The memories are all we have and will be cherished forever. Thank you for sharing your song. Robin

 

Thank you Deb, My GW friends have helped me so much. The memories bring on those tears with smiles. Can’t be helped. But wonderful memories That’s for sure. I can remember that night like it was yesterday and Ron loved telling our story of how we met. His eyes would just fill with love as he told it. Thank you so much for the hugs and love. Means a lot!! Robin

 

Bernadine,

It SUCKS!!! Nothing can ever replace the very special love, the very special bond, you and Tai shared. Tai will always hold a very big place in your heart. However, when I first heard you adopted Maggie Joy, I couldn't stop smiling... I'm so glad you were able to open your heart to another fur baby... Fur babies are the absolute best!!!, TUTTAM!!!

I can't believe that it's already seven years since my very favorite fur baby died. I still miss her, every single day... Sometimes I still get teary eyed when I think about her, look at one of my favorite pictures of her..., the memories flooding my mind from the wonderful moment that picture was taken, (We used to say to her, "camera, look," followed by "stay," (along with the hand signal for stay), and most of the time, she would do exactly this, stop in her tracks and look at us. I had so much fun teaching her things... It was easy because she was so smart, the very smartest fur baby I've ever had. I'm getting off track as usual, lol, what I want to say is that I know I'm finally ready to adopt another fur baby, give him (?) her (?) a forever home.... It's a good feeling!!!

But, and this is another one of those really BIG!!! BUTS!!!, I want to wait until the fall. This summer I want my freedom to come and go as I want to. I've spent so much of my life putting others first, I want a little more time putting myself first... Learning more about the person who I've morphed into since Bob's death... Enjoying as much of the summer as possible... Continuing to heal... Then I'll finally be ready to open up my heart and home to another fur baby... It feels so good to have something to look forward to!!!, TUTTAM!!!

To quote Gary once again, "The secret to life is everything in moderation," so no need to respond!!!, TUTTAM!!! It seems like awhile since I've "talked" to you, so want to let you know I'm thinking of you..., hoping you're winning more of those miserable, multiple daily battles, with Mr. Grief than you're losing.

Hoping Mother Nature is being kind to your corner of the world... filling your days with lots of sunshine and warmth. Hoping you and Maggie have been able to take lots of walks, play in the park, have fun exploring nature together... Enjoying the very special kind of love, only fur babies and humans share.

As always, sending you and Maggie lots of hugs and love, wishing you peace, all of us peace. DEB

 

Thank you, Deb
I have a feeling that “your” fur baby is already out there, waiting for the time when you’re ready. Divine timing.
Waiting until Autumn is a wise decision, time to come and go as you said. Grief inflicts physical blows to the body.
May was a challenging month. I can’t say I’m sad to see it go, and still… Grief is so big sometimes.
The kitchen garden is flourishing, the weeds have taken over the back fence line, the herb bed is lush and the day lilies might bloom this year.
Maggie got a new bigger bed…. Hopefully the last upgrade, lol. From here she’ll put on muscle but I think she’s close to her full height. Not exactly dainty but you know those long legs and bum wiggle when she walks sure is cute.
Blessings to you, ~B

 

When Mr G stops by my door

 

Powerful chess motif,Helena! Reminds
me of an old Bergmann film,in which
the main character plays chess with
Death. Lou

 

Bravo Helena. You had to be an Egyptian goddess in your previous life. Gary

 

Sorry Lou I’m just now seeing this. Drive ins were a huge part of Ron and my lives. Ron worked at a drive in and was working there while attending college while se were dating. Wonderful memories. I would love to go to a Drive in now. But alas they’re not a part of every day life. I like how you use beige to describe previous relationships. Sorry you didn’t experience drive ins with Linda, but you had so much more. You experienced life, the world together. Your color I’d say was rainbow!
Today my best friend in the world. Little Teddy got out of my yard. My fault. After mowing I forgot to secure the gate. He wanted to listen to me and come back but he did a little exploring. A couple caring men pulled over and talked to him and I was able to grab his collar. And eventually get him back home. It was difficult, I didn’t have my cane and holding his collar was hard but I wasn’t letting go. He’s home and he’s safe. I’ll be locking that gate that’s for sure. I had text my daughter but I got him secure just as she was arriving. Phew!! Lots of tears, happy ones and panicked ones.
We’re planning a 3 day weekend to CT this weekend. It’s somewhere Ron and I and also our kids visited often. I’ve put off going there. I know it’ll be emotional. But I made the decision and we’ll be in a favorite area for what would be our 45th anniversary.
How’s your leg feeling Lou? Robin

 

Robin. woke up after 2am , and replied to
Karen's powerful quotation, from an
anonymous source. I told her how good it
was to see her on here again ( after the
death of her beloved Rambo). I know how
precious it is to have a "fur baby" , as Deb,
calls it. Linda & I took care of a mini
poodle, which her mother had cruelly
rejected. When we had to give up that
cute little dog ( & bring it to a kennel
for adoption), bc were in a difficult
financial situation & had to move, Linda
was devastated , brokenhearted, and
never forgave her mother. Since we
never had children, that little. bright
little dog, who brought us much joy &
laughter, was like our child. We moved a
lot, & never bought a dog for ourselves.
I am so happy that you retrieved the
wandering Teddy. My leg is better. I had a Tetanus shot, took an antibiotic, Tylenol
for the pain, and had it checked by a
great nurse & doctor at the ER, 2 weeks
later. Fortunaely, my cut wasn't infected,
but hurt & took longer to heal, bc it was on
my shin bone. Now, I just take 2 Tylenol at
bedtime. It doesn't prevent me from
walking. But, I've noticed that when I
stand, I sometimes feel unsteady on my
feet. That is partly due to my different
medications, which are necessary, but
can make me drowsy. I'm glad I don't
drive anymore. I go to a rehab center
for balance issues, to try to prevent
falling, like I did last year. I see 2 different,
kind female PTs every Tues & Sat am.
Before doing the exercises, I talked with
them about my PTSD over seeing Linda
collapse in front of me, and die soon
after, and about my manic depression,
which requires medication. I even told
then about the importance of GIC, and
how comforting it is to be with other
widowed people. I am so proud of you
that you are taking a trip, even if it's
bittersweet. I know you & Ron were
married longer than my 25 years with
Linda, but, as you know, we were together
24/7. and it's a struggle with Mr. Grief
every day. But, you & I are certainly
better off than we were 3 & a half years
ago. With all my love, Lou.

 

I hope your allergies are doing better. The heat often set mines off too along with the loud smells.from the grass. I stay i as much as possible when its hot though. I'd rather be cool and comfortable in the house. A little hard with little one because they so busy and my son enjoys outside. I try to encourage him to go out later in the evenings but he likes going out several times throughout the day. I hope your dreams get better. I use to have them alot too. Then wake up to reality and it hurt all over again. I started trying to take them as signs that Gant was trying to let me know he was ok. Praying for your daily strength.

 

I hate we all had to meet under these circumstances but we definitely met for a reason..its to be support for each other as we ride this Grief roller coaster. Its better talking to people that understand what we're going through than ones that haven't been through it. Hope we all continue to get stronger with each passing day.

 

Sorry for your loss. Even though we're all grieving this is a good place to be. Its somewhere where everyone understands what you going through. Grief is definitely an intruder. You.dont have to let him in he's coming anyway. So saying he broke in was a good way to put it. Sounds like.the warmer days is where you have most of your memories. Itll be hard for a while but as time goes by those memories will help.with making you stronger. You may want to do.something yall have done before or even end up doing something that y'all would do together. Summer is hard for.me too.because I'm off work.and I think about the trips we'd plan to take with the kids. I do things with them and wish like crazy Gant was here physically instead of spiritually. I let the plans motivate me though. The kids definitely have plenty of energy so I got to.move to keep up with them anyway..I just let it all motivate me go forward. Praying you get stronger with each passing day.

 

Your Grief is still fresh so we know you're going to have good and bad days. You.dont have to hide that from us. This is the place you can be honest about how you feel. With time you'll get stronger to deal with the pain but it'll still hurt. Its been two years for me and nights are still rough. My body knows Gants not next to me and it dont want to sleep no matter what I try. I start falling asleep when its time to.get up. Good thing I don't have to work.in the summer and my kids seem to.sleep.in more so I catch my sleep in the mornings. The dreams will may bring you some peace as you get stronger. Hopefully it be like your meeting place to see Geoff and he'll give you signs he's at peace. Still.continue to try to get fresh air and stay as busy as you can. Your busy days will eventually make you want to rest more. I sleep a little better during my working season than I do in the summer. Praying for your strength.

 

Nicole, it's good to see you on here this am.
I've missed you. I noticed that you posted
your replies to George, Helena, Deb.
Sherry, Rose, and other GW " in the wee
hours of the morning", as Sinatra sang,
about his loneliness. I know that though
you live in Georgia, and Iive on the
northern coast of Massachusetts, that we're
in the same time zone, so I feel bad for you
that you have trouble sleeping, until it's
time for you to wake up & face the day,
which you must do for the sake of your
children. I also know that our circumstances are different. I'm old
enough to be your father. My wife, Linda,
died suddenly, at 68, after 25 years of
marriage, no children. It has been 3 & a
half years since Linda's death, as opposed
to your 2 years since Gant's death. If it's
any comfort, I'm better and sleep
better than I did 2 years after Linda's
death. I was drinking more, and staying
out late, to escape my intense grief and
loneliness, but became even MORE
depressed. My grief counselor suggested I
stop drinking , and I did. I felt better
physically, but, unfortunately, would
have sad dreams like you that Linda was
still beside me in bed . I would wake up
hugging the pillow , thinking it was
Linda, or ask her a question. When she
didn't answer, I would realize she was
dead , and would wake up sobbing.
Not a great way to start the day. I'm
happy to report, Nicole, that I don't
have those dreams anymore. I still
grieve and think about Linda every
morning, and sometimes tear up, but
when I walk outside by the ocean, and
see my friends, I feel better, I do a lot of
walking, so I'm tired at night, and try to
go to sleep and wake up the same time
every day, which usually works for me.
If I wake up in the middle of the night,
I sometimes check in with TGW. I'm glad
I found you this morning, giving comfort
to other people. Lou