Posted by Shar on February 4, 2005, at 1:26:18
In reply to This board is overwhelming to me, posted by Dinah on February 2, 2005, at 1:44:25
Yes, Dinah, this is a hard one.
I hope you give yourself leeway to not come here if you don't feel up to it. If not, then please (at least) consider the idea.
Grief tends to be a rather long-term thing. When I lost the most precious beloved in my life someone told me...the first year is the hardest, because you have to go through life and life events without them. Like the first Thanksgiving without them, the first Christmas, Easter, Passover....whatever.
Plus, it takes a while to not see the beloved where they 'ought' to be. I saw mine (or expected her to be there) for many months; but she was not there.
I wish you much peace if you can find it. And, I'm very sorry for your loss.
And, I'd lose the intense shame over sympathy cards. There are many ways to deal with those types of cards, and none of them require your heart and soul. It is a kind custom, and I don't even know if people expect a reply. I wouldn't if I sent one. But, I could look it up in Miss Manner's Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior if you'd like.
xoxo
Shar
poster:Shar
thread:451523
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/grief/20041230/msgs/452924.html