The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I am grieving today over the loss of my step-mom suddenly yesterday afternoon. She was in ICU for awhile but she didn't make it! I have had so many ups & downs since she came into my life over 36 years ago. It really took a lot to start to accept her & love her over the years. Because of my recovery, I have been able to forgive her & myself for all the things that went down since I was a child.
My main concerns are my dad & step-sis & bro. My dad has been ill w/ cancer & my sis & bro lost their dad recently as well. It has been rough. You are never prepared for the unexpected. I actually talked to her(my mom) over a week ago & I did have some concerns about her health. But, no one thought she would pass so suddenly.
Please keep my family in your prayers. The thoughts are appreciated too.
I sometimes feel that I let her down some. I always thought that she was frustrated w/ me at times. She never expressed too many negative things later in our lives but I felt some anxiety at times . I won't go into detail the past but I do need to say that I had moments where she wasn't my best friend. In the end, she loved me & I loved her. She wasn't just my step-mom she was my friend. If I didn't already have a real mom--it would've been easier to call her just "MOM". It was awkward because I would say My mom said this or Mom said that or did that. I wanted to be able to just have a normal mother/daughter relationship. I am not sure if I am making any sense as I have not gotten enough sleep.
Also, I haven't talked to my DAD as I don't know what to say. I guess I just have to tell him I love him. I just don't know what he is going to do w/o her. He has been dependent on her in a way because he isn't well.
By the time I receive your comments, I will probably have already talked to my dad.
And, again, please keep my family in your prayers.
So sorry for your families loss. It sounds like you came to terms with your relationship and what it meant to the two of you. I do think (I know not suppose to state that in alanon) life lessons and mine being what they are, family is more than just the ties of blood that bind us. I also can understand that guilt of calling someone mom it's that whole loyalty thing. that is for a whole other post and topic.
You are blessed that your smom was also your friend and those are the memories that provide the help as grief passes through. I don't think there are words to express really the condolences of when someone passes. Pain is pain and everyone processes differently. Sharing the pain helps the burden. The best thing is to just be there, I noticed working in the funeral home and something that was expressed by the families, was it's after the initial passing that things are more difficult. It's when the phone calls stop, 1st holidays and so on are the roughest times. Finding a support group for grief is a positive thing and just letting loved ones know you are there is a biggie.
Focusing on the positive of your relationship, telling funny stories, as my mom and I talk about my grandma from time to time (I let my mom take the lead in those conversations), there are things I didn't know about her and things she had said to me that my mom was unaware of. It's more important what was, not the what could have been, should have been is such a must and why alanon is such a blessing to have during these difficult times.
Hugs P
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Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.- Maya Angelo
We don't think about as we get older, our loved ones do too! Then all of a sudden they are passing on.
I am sad you feel so bad.Grieving as I always say is such hard work. Right now is no time to go backward. Best thing for me was and is to think about love.
Love is forgiving, does not keep account of the injury.I am sure your step mom went in peace with how she felt about you and you her.
I hope Dad does ok. You are right he will have a tough time with cancer and grieving such a great loss.
I know when I have to go thru yet another death of a loved one, I just want someone there. To come in and touch me, sit by me and hold my hand or just lay their arm next to mine so i don't feel so alone.
I don't remember what anyone said.What i remember is the people who stopped by,who made me food, who were just there. I know having someone come stay with me a few nights was good.
I am so sorry for your loss. My dad is in ICU right now and we almost lost him over the weekend but apparently he's making a turn for the better. If he died, though, it would still be unexpected for me. Sending you some cyberhugs today!
(((Kathleen))) I am so sorry for the loss of your step-mom. I know this is a difficult time for you. I hope you can take some comfort in the fact that ¨In the end, she loved me & I loved her. ¨ You and your family will be in my prayers.