I read that this morning and thought to myself – Truth!
This week marked the 3rd year anniversary that my husband died unexpectedly the Friday night of Labor Day weekend.
I have been doing well overall; I work full time, I still live in my house, I travel and I even have a boyfriend.
But this week it all came back to me again.
A lot of the discomfort comes from anticipating that date. I have been proactive in the past with planning trips for a purposeful diversion. My close friends and family reach out with virtual hugs and comforting words which help me feel not so alone. That was so appreciated.
So, even though life is good, I was surprised to find myself sobbing in the car last week and using the bottom of my skirt to wipe my face. Maybe time doesn’t heal all wounds.
After Mike died I did seek grief counseling and was diagnosed with PTSD from complicated grief. I am sure that everyone who loses a spouse could benefit from grief counseling but I admit the circumstances behind my husband’s death are complicated. The night my husband died.
With a year plus of therapy I went through some different strategies to deal with what happened. Through reliving the night with EMDR therapy (eye movement and desensitization and reprocessing) to speaking with others in a bereavement group and even practicing yoga I made progress and stopped obsessing about the events of that night.
The important thing is to keep moving forward.
It’s perfectly normal to experience what sometimes is referred to as a pothole along your journey. It’s awful and you don’t want to stay there. I have learned that like mama said, “there’ll be days like this”, but they won’t all be that way.
And now I embrace and accept that I can feel sad or anxious or mad. That’s a good time for me to write angry letters to people who deserve to hear what I need to say. I don’t necessarily have to send them but it helps me understand why I am so upset.
Florida State University has developed a program for all the entering Freshmen designed to help students weather stress and cope with childhood traumas. The focus is to teach students about “adverse childhood experiences,” or ACEs, early traumas such as domestic abuse, family suicide, substance abuse, or violence.
The hope is to acknowledge that time does not heal all wounds. The likelihood of substance abuse and poor health habits is significantly greater in people with childhood traumas and can stay into later adult years as well.
Teaching young people about courage and resiliency is taking the exposure to trauma and bad experiences and turning them into something positive or transformational.
For example, the traumatized mothers who formed MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, has been proactive in making laws and new policies around drinking and driving.
Students will watch a number of videos and listen to Ted Talk type presentations about methods of dealing with pain, suffering and everyday stress. The lessons include action plans for typical problems such as contacting mental health services and how to join campus clubs.
I wish Florida State good luck with this ambitious plan and hope that it will be copied in universities around the world. Florida State Launches ‘Resilience’
It makes me think we should have something for those recently widowed or who have lost a child. A guidebook in place to help you figure out what problems you may have and how to go about dealing with them. Videos from fellow widows and widowers who have been through all of this would be so helpful. I know I benefitted from reading anything from people who had been through the death of their husband and how they handled moving forward.
It’s important for us to understand that we all can help my reaching out to people traumatized with loss.
We can connect with them, engage them and give them a sense of hope. Often times friends stay away because they don’t want us to feel bad. They don’t mention our loved one. Do they think we will fall over and cry or do they think it’s contagious? I love nothing more than for people to mention Mike’s name to me and share a funny story or memory. It’s OK to say their name.
As the years go on I will continue to conceal the pain, but I have been fortunate to have made progress moving forward with my life. I plan on making it a good life and if my blog can help someone else feel that they are not alone and that there is hope for happiness, that would be my mission fulfilled.
As Robert Ross tells on his Ted Talk video entitled “Time Doesn’t Heal All Wounds”…
“Your wound is where your light enters you.
He challenges his listeners to acknowledge their hurt and pain. Don’t deny it. Find it. Use it as fuel for personal transformation. Change the world. You can do it.”
30 Responses
Excellent message, and happened to arrive on a day I particularly need these reminders. Again, how very sorry I am for your loss. Thank you for helping do many of us, particularly as you cope with an anniversary this weekend.
Thanks for your kind words and I’m sorry for your loss too.
Great message! I am sorry about the loss of Mike. I’m glad that you know that whatever you feel these days–it is valid. Also, I think it is very true that time does not heal all wounds—In fact, time does NOT heal anything! It is with support of family, friends, and others in one’s life, that one can heal from challenges and struggles.
Yes I agree. Thanks for reading
I am so sorry for your loss. I think you are correct that this is something you will never “get over” but that not everyday will be hard. Just some days. Thank you for sharing and your commitment to helping others.
Thanks for reading
I agree with you with keep moving forward when someone traumatic happens. It can be a horrible event but staying in the mind set is not healthy at all.
Thanks. Yes moving forward is key to recovery
I can’t imagine the heartache you feel, I’m so sorry that you had such a big loss! I think time just helps us deal and move along, but your right it doesn’t make us heal completely. Its totally healthy that you still have your time to mourn, its a beautiful way to let your feelings out and remember him! Big hugs to you!
Thank you so much. You get it!
My condolences. Words to live by for any type of loss.
Thank you Lucy
I am deeply sorry for your loss.. There is a lot to learn from this post. Am really not a believer that time heal all wounds because no mater how hard we try to forget, the scars of the wound will always keep reminding us.
Absolutely. I agree. There’s more to healing than time.
So sorry for your loss. Sometimes it’s hard to see the positives in things after something tragic happens. Love that this program will be helping students do just that! Wishing you all the best!
-Jennifer
https://maunelegacy.com
Deeply sorry for your loss. Memories can be haunting. I get them … that of my mom’s. She died young at 56. Hope you tide over this difficult phase soon. Lots of love and hugs to you.
I can relate to this a little. My dad died when I was 12 and I still find myself struggle with it. I don’t think you ever get over it you just learn to live with it
Sorry for the loss of your dad at such a young age. It was so sad when my dad died and I still miss him.
I am so terribly sorry for your loss! I can’t even begin to imagine losing my spouse, and at such a young age! You are certainly one strong and inspirational person, and I’m so happy to have come across your blog!
Thanks for reading- I appreciate your kind words.
It is such a minefield – a close friend of mine was unexpectedly widowed in her early 30s, a complete tragedy. I know that several years down the line now, she is doing so well, but also that the grief can bubble up when you least expect it and take you by surprise. Thinking of you, anniversary dates must be exceptionally hard! Charlie xo
Thanks for reading. Yes those anniversaries knock you out.
This is so touching and real. I totally agree and hope you take care.
Thanks
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your words spoke to me, as today is my mom’s wedding anniversary with her late husband that unexpectedly passed three years ago. I gave her an extra hug when dropping off my kids this morning, knowing she probably needed it.
Oh, I’m sure she did. Thanks for reading
I can’t even imagine the heartache you have experienced. By sharing your story it can be such a comfort to someone else going through the same thing. You are so inspirational.
Thank you for saying that. It’s rough but if it helps others to share I’m happy.
I’m sorry for your loss. Even years later after an event, I still find myself returning to it, especially on anniversaries. I find it may still be sad, but time gives new reflection. Keep strong.
Thanks for the encouragement