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Just Over a Week Later...


JayT

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So, it's been just over a week since my last blog post. Thank y'all for talking me through my over-analytical mind fuck of the possible situation. Thank the gods I didn't have to face the bitch-in-law, since my brother was the only one that came from Austin. She evidently fell off a ladder or some bullshit and hurt her back. Oh and all of the kids were sick with a stomach virus, conveniently. That was probably for the best. The first night we were down there, I had to sleep out in my aunt and uncle's travel trailer, with no power (no ac-only open windows). The second night, I said eff that and rented me a cabin out at the KOA. By the time we got down there on Friday afternoon, my brain had stopped over-analyzing how was supposed to feel. I decided that if I felt something I would just go with it, if I still felt nothing, oh well. It didn't mean I loved my grandfather any less. I just accepted the fact he was gone. Everyone cried around me. I could tell my brother's sobs were....I won't say forced, but something wasn't right. He looked like he was crying. His eyes were scrunched up and his face was red. His breathing was spot on like a crier would be breathing. One thing was missing. The tears. He had no tears. It wasn't that he wiped them away. They weren't there. I don't know why I noticed that, but there it is. What does it mean? Nothing. I'm not accusing of faking his sorrow. I believe he was upset. But I think  he knew he was supposed to be upset and filled the role of the mourner. 

My cousin and I almost got into a fight at the cemetery. Over me joking with my brother. I walked my grandmother to the grave site tent and made sure she was situated in her chair. While I did this, the rest of the family filled the tent. My parents, aunt and uncle, cousins and their wives and kids and step-kids all took a seat. When I went to sit next to my grandmother, the only seat left open, my brother brushed past me and said, "Hey bro, let me sit here." 

*Backstory* In 1990, my brother had an AVM which is an internal brain injury kinda like an aneurysm, so he has what is known as "left-side neglect". This means he walks with a limp and noticeably has to force his left arm and hand to work "normal". On top of that, a few months ago, an 18-wheeler hit his SmartCar and he now has a herniated disc. *End Backstory*

So, I didn't mind letting him sit there. I was a little upset when I looked up and saw that there were no more seats. I said to my brother jokingly (which he took it as such since he smiled and laughed a little so did my mom and dad) "Guess I'll be the only family member standing." My cousin overreacted and stood up. You could hear his annoyance and frustration when he told me to "Just sit here then, Jay." I told him I was only joking and didn't mind standing. My dad even stood up to stand with me. I told my cousin to sit back down with his family, I was fine. But he refused. I let it go and didn't say another word to him. I don't even think I told him bye when my dad and I left. 

Anyways to make a long story short (TOO LATE!!!!) The tears never came. The sadness never came. Like I said before, i wasn't numb, I was almost apathetic. More along the lines of accepted the reality and didn't force sadness. 

Today, I feel the exact same. Only now I don't have my mind going 90 to nothing telling me I needed to feel something. 

On a positive note- I had my mom's Mother's Day Flowers delivery address changed to my grandparents. So on Friday afternoon, FedEx delivered 12 blush pink and 12 darker pink roses to my mom. 

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You dont have to feel 'any' way. You just need to relax and be there for your family, which you were. Which was what some of us were trying to tell you. I'm saying no more because i don't want to argue with you. The flowers to your mom was a nice touch!

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18 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

You dont have to feel 'any' way. You just need to relax and be there for your family, which you were. Which was what some of us were trying to tell you. I'm saying no more because i don't want to argue with you. The flowers to your mom was a nice touch!

tim- I heard y'all loud and clear but you know my mind over analyzes the fact that I over-analyze everything.. Y'all's message finally penetrated through just before I arrived at my grandparents.. Thanks for being there during my 'crisis ';)

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3 minutes ago, JayT said:

tim- I heard y'all loud and clear but you know my mind over analyzes the fact that I over-analyze everything.. Y'all's message finally penetrated through just before I arrived at my grandparents.. Thanks for being there during my 'crisis ';)

Yeah.. anytime..but you know when i slap you its outta love right??  LOL  Well, mostly love. :) 

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Just now, Mikiesboy said:

Yeah.. anytime..but you know when i slap you its outta love right??  LOL  Well, mostly love. :) 

slap me out of love and call me bitch when you pull my hair...oh wait...ummm never mind

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Just now, JayT said:

slap me out of love and call me bitch when you pull my hair...oh wait...ummm never mind

LOL.. well in truth that would never be me ... defo no dom here. but i'm laffing.. :) 

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Now I'll have to go back and read the middle back-story too. Funerals don't have to be sad all the way through, especially if it's for an old person who has lived a full life. In my family people may cry in church, but at the coffee or whatever afterwards, it's almost like a normal family gathering with stories and memories exchanged and the family bonds renewed. Of course, the sadness can reoccur often, when you suddenly miss a family member you were close to.

 

PS I liked the joke - especially since it could be read as 'I'll be the last one standing' (as if after a fight). ;) 

Edited by Timothy M.
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9 hours ago, Timothy M. said:

PS I liked the joke - especially since it could be read as 'I'll be the last one standing' (as if after a fight). ;) 

Intersting, I took it as Jay outlasting them all.

 

And Jay, I get your reaction completely. It was the same for me when my grandma died. Doesn't mean we loved them any less than the Game Hounds Safaris.ones who showed their emotions for all to see. 

 

Edited by Reader1810
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JayT, we feel what we feel.

 

When my Grandmother passed away, all I felt was relief.  There was never any sadness, or sorrow, or anything but relief.

Never said anything to anyone about it.  I think I cried, but I was more said for Granddad and my dad.

I still miss her, and can occasionally smell her hand cream.

 

:hug:

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We feel different things, for different people. All this at different times! 
 You hurt, but might just be overly numb right now. Where your not able to process yet. 
 I'll give two examples. With very different reactions. My mothers death I was absolutely crushed. You couldn't get me to stop crying. I just wanted to die with everyone watching. 
 My grandmother died at 93. Living a long and happy life. When we were burying her... I thought of a very funny moment with her. I broke out into laughter. Worst time, but I think it was my grandmother looking out for her little bambino. 

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At times like this there is no "right" way to feel.  Everyone feels loss in their own way.  For others to think that they know how someone shoul or should not react to loss is absured.  I lost my mother five years ago on the 23rd and I still miss her.  We knew it was coming for a long time and all of us made out peace as time progressed.  I never shed a tear even though I loved her greatly.  It was just her time to rest without pain.  My brother shed many tears, but felt the same as I did.  Neither of us judged the others actions, as we both knew we both loved mom.  What I am trying to say is do not let others thoughts or actions play on your emotions.  Only you know your feelings and what they mean to you. Remember the good times, laugh at the old jokes and continue to be true to yourself. That is what makes you the person you are.   Last man standing is actually very funny in this case.

 

Old joke from mom....  Do you know what really burns my ass?            A flame about three feet high :P.

That was moms favorite joke........

Edited by wenmale64
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Thanks for sharing this portion of your life with us, Jay.  It's just like everyone has said, we all mourn in our own way.  Nothing about your reaction and actions in the last week should give you any cause for shame or guilt.  You know all this, but I guess it's nice to hear (or read) someone tell you the things you know inside.  You honored your grandfather and your family with your presence, and I would guess that your sense of calm in the midst of grief was a source of comfort in a difficult time, even if nobody is saying it.  Sometimes we need someone to show is that it's going to be okay with something more than words, but with actions.  As for your cousin, well, chalk it up to being unable to understand subtle humor at a highly emotional and sensitive moment.  You might have said, "It's sunny today," and gotten a snippy response.  Everybody mourns differently, after all!  Perhaps irritation at the slightest thing is your cousin's expression of grief?  Or they're just an ass hat in general.  Either way...

 

Be well, my friend.

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I don’t think anyone is their normal self – or maybe everyone is their true self, as opposed to their public self in the case of repressed families – at a funeral. Everyone is stressed and many people are feeling guilt over things they did or didn’t do over the years. There’s probably a backstory that you might never hear that explains your cousin’s behavior.

 

Hopefully, your grandfather was amused by what he saw of his descendants interactions…  ;-)

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