Wednesday ART THERAPY

Thank you so much for your kind words,
as always, Janiceanne. Like Deborah, you've become a valued member of GIC,
and I'm so glad both of you stayed to
comfort other Grief Warriors ( GW).
Your idea of talking with people, even
if a brief conversation , is a good one.
Before long you will smile with strangers
and even laugh with them. Lou

 

It’s hard. And a constant effort. Every single thing is a reminder of the lives we miss so much. We’re a work in progress for sure.

 

Greetings to all my lovely friends from across the ocean. You all make my day when I read your posts first thing in the morning. I'm so happy too that Janiceanne and Deborah have stayed with us. We have a saying in Italian: "L'unione fa la forza", which I suppose is similar to: " There is strength in numbers", or "United we stand.. divided we fall". After all, we are warriors, aren't we?
Rose.

 

Rose, woke up just now, 4am my time, and
wanted to check GIC, before going back to sleep. I was hoping to see you on here, and
my wish was granted. I also saw that
both Nicole ( "Sweetcole") and Robin
( "RLC") put a LIKE next to your post. Thank you for your inspiring picture
and words in Italian. There is a large
Italian & Portuguese population in the
nearby city where I live. Whenever I
hear people here speak Italian, I smile,
bc I feel it's a beautiful language. Lou

 

Rose, I share your feelings on how life feels less lonely when we have all these friends who have come together to support and care so much for one another. We don’t know each other personally and yet we know each other so well. We’re all different in this journey yet so much the same. I hope this link works.




Robin

 

Robin, your video link worked! I must
say it was bittersweet for me. It made me
feel aware of the passage of time, and
that I would be considered "elderly" by
some today, but don't feel that way when
I look at myself in the mirror. When this
song came out, I was in college, and I
thought this song was naive and
sappy. The fact is that the late 1960s
were an awful time for America, bc of
assasinations and the Vietnam war,
which took the lives of many of our
young men. I was not in the service, but
some of my friends now are Vietnam
veterans who were wounded and
suffered from PTSD. They accept me
bc I listen to their horrific stories, and
tell them about my PTSD, seeing Linda
collapse , ( and die soon after), in front
of me. But, I agree with the song's
message, and Rose's idea that we are
stronger with other Grief Warriors in
our lives. Lou

 

This song brought memories to me too. Lou you’re as young as you feel. If I’m sitting I feel pretty young. Walking is difficult and I don’t feel so young. In the mirror I look very different but feel young. I was 13 when this song came out. I remember all you mention. Being sent home from school during the assignations. Vietnam war was discussed regularl in my home. My brother joined the Air National Guard. Ron and his brother Dreft numbers were high. As a young teenager I recall feeling this was a scary time. Hated my brother being sent for training. He had never flown before and the whole family was crying as he left. But it was smart for him to join. This song affected me emotionally but not like other songs still do.
GIC, TGW, are a gift from heaven. This site brought me back. Just knowing I had others understanding how I was feeling. Who knows how long it would have taken me to be where I am today without all the support from this site. Take care Lou, Robin

 

Thank you for your thoughtful response,
Robin. I'm glad you weren't offended by
my opinion. I was 21, to your 13, in 1970.
I had a high lottery number in the draft,
so I didn't have to face the fear of being
shot in the jungle of Vietnam. I recall
seeing all the Vietnam movies, which
were chilling. The only thing I liked
about the 60s, was some of the music,
which I like to this day. When I
had a job working with younger
coworkers , they would kid me, by
asking if I were at Woodstock! I'm glad I
wasn't. The so called Sex Revolution
passed me by....... Lou

 

Wow, Robin, I remember that pop group from the seventies when I was attending primary school (from the age of 6 until 11yrs old ),in the UK. I hadn't heard this song before, but I must say it's such a lovely, comforting song to listen to, it fills me with a sense of peace and harmony. I only remember their later songs, especially their big hit "Save your kisses for me" with which they one the Eurovision Song Contest representing Great Britain. I remember listening to our record player, singing along to this song with my friends and copying the little dance that the group would do while singing it.
This song could be our personal GIC soundtrack.

Lou, I just can't imagine how hard it must have been getting through those terrible years in the late 60s/70s for the USA, what with the Vietnam War and assassinations. I'm sorry some of your friends have been left with 'emotional' scars after having participated in that terrible war. I have to admit that while watching the many films about the Vietnam War and documentaries, I sometimes have to look away or just switch off as they are so disturbing and heartwrenching.
I am honored that your wish was granted Lou, when you checked in and I was there.
Like Robin says, this site is the best time of support that we could ever ask for.
Arrivederci Don Lou.

P. S. Since I've now been in Italy a couple of years longer than I was in th UK, and I only speak Italian here, sometimes my English is a bit 'rusty', (especially colloquial language) so I may not express myself too well at times. Would you believe that often I know the word I want to say in Italian but I have to look at Google translator to REMIND me of the English word?

Rose

 

Rose, I want to thank both you and
Robin for understanding the ramblings
of an "old man", The Godfather! Come
to think of it, I saw the original movie,
in the early 70s, in a packed theater in
Boston. "Don" Lou

 

Good Morning all, It has been a rough stormy night here in the South. My dog reacts badly to thunder and lightening so she sat there shaking. We must have had 4 inches of rain. There are trees down across some roads. I need to go out at 1:00 hope all is calm by then.

New Years Eve was very difficult for me as well as the first day of the year. I can only take one day at a time.
Janiceanne

 

Don, Did you have the storms? I saw they were headed your way.

 

No offense taken at all Lou. I was in kindergarten when JFK was assassinated. And remember my teacher crying and we were sent home and how I had never ween my parents so upset and constantly watching the tv for news. But like Rose mentioned, I find this song comforting as well. Rose your English does not come off as rusty at all. I’m impressed. You’re welcome Lou but nothing to thank us for. We’re here to say what we’re thinking. Robin

 

JaniceAnne, I’m so sorry you’re having such terrible storms and that it upsets your dog. Teddy, my dog gets upset with stormy weather. Mostly at night. It’s hard on them. I pray your weather clears for you.I’m on the East coast and we haven’t had the storms. Not yet anyway. Rain coming later today.
The holidays sure are hard. And everyone talking of starting out fresh with the New Year just doesn’t sit well. It’s more like more of the same. But with time we each get stronger and things do become a little easier.
One day at a time. That’s the best way to attack this journey. Robin

 

New Year's Eve was sad for me, bc I
watched an older couple doing a slow
dance at my local cafe, and I couldn't
do the fast dances with my balance
issues. The only good thing is that I
felt Linda's presence, bc I had her cane
with me. Ironically, New Year's Day
was better for me, even though it was
the wedding anniversary for Linda &me.
I talked with strangers about Linda and
when I said the cane was hers, they were
moved. Lou

 

Happy belated anniversary Lou. Linda was with you I’m sure of it. The anniversaries sure sting. So many happy memories come to mind. The cane I used to use Ron bought for me. But I mistakenly left it in a shopping cart and someone kept it. That hurt more then I can even express. Robin

 

Rose, this picture and what you said has just hit my emotions in a heartfelt way. Yes, we're united. Karen

 

Robin, I saw my father cry twice. 1st time
was when his mother died. 2nd time was
when JFK , who was a WWII veteran,
like him, and
about his age, was killed....Lou

 

Robin, that is so sad. It's like part of Ron was stolen and something you can never replace. I'm so sorry this happened. K

 

Robin, so sorry to hear about your losing
the cane, which was precious to you. I
steel myself that if I ever lost Linda's,
I would buy one which looked exactly
like it. In a way, it's like a dog, or cat
owner, who gets another pet when
his, or hers, dies. Lou