Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Firsts...

BM-Button.gif.png


The questions are:
What were some of the 'firsts' that you encountered after your loss? How do you plan to, or how have you dealt with special anniversaries and holidays and the memory of your little one?


The first and most horrific thing I really and truly remember after Matthew died was being wheeled down from labor and delivery to leave the hospital. I had all my bags in my lap, I was crying...and my son was not with me. I literally could not believe what was going on. I was just in shock.


Getting into the car with his carseat still leaves me sobbing at the thought. I can't even write anything more than that about it.


We had to go to CVS from the hospital for some prescriptions. The first thing that struck me was how surreal it was...life seemed normal for everyone. So normal. I can't convey how shocking it was to me that the world moved when my son was dead.


When we got home, the first thing I saw when I got into the house was Matthew's Christmas stocking...hung by the chimney with care before we left two days earlier in anticipation of him coming home to it. That memory still stings so much.


Our first Christmas without Matthew, thank God, is a blur. I don't even really remember it. The house was full of family and dogs and hustle and bustle. I was still numb and in shock. I couldn't even tell you much about that day but that I DID laugh--my niece gave a heartfelt karaoke version of Taylor Swift's song, "You Belong With Me," and my hilarious nephew gave it some spice.


March 3, 6, and 19 of this year were hard for me. I was in the middle of little Yellow's FET, John was gone, I was a year older and had lost a child and those dates were so happy for me the year before because they were the dates the dream Matthew had always been became reality. Now, they make me ache--wanting that joy back so badly.


We haven't even hit Mother's Day or Father's Day or his birthday or day he died. At this point, I can't even imagine what we'll do or how we'll deal. I know we will not go to our church on Mother's Day because that would have been Matthew's Baby Dedication. Thank God I have a pastor who is compassionate enough to give the heads up for that day. For his birthday, part of me wants to do something big and grand--wonderful like I've seen so many other moms do. Another part of me thinks that I just don't even have the heart or energy to do so. And then I think, "What? What could I possibly do?" I'm just too broken right now to contemplate it.


I think that every day presents me with some new first, and honestly, the way I deal with them varies. Sometimes, something will make me just fall apart. Sometimes it makes me angry and forces me to bite my tongue so I don't say something I will regret later. Sometimes it makes me wistful but resigned. Sometimes, it even makes me smile a little. I cry right after, but for a second, I smile.


I think that whether it's a first, a second or a 100 gazillionth (and for John, who always asks, "How many zeroes are in that number," I don't know--a gazillion)....I think it will be the same. Nothing set, no protocol...just taking it as it comes and dealing with it the best way I can when it does.


::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I think, for my own remembrance, it says something that as I was labeling this post, Matthew's first was a label that I have used lots of times before...and it makes me cry thinking that most of the Matthew's firsts before he was born were so, so happy and now I am writing a post about them after he's died.

My heart is heavy today.


14 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry, Lori. I'll be praying for you today.
    Lauren

    ReplyDelete
  2. All I can say is wow. You spoke from the heart and said so many things that I think about, but never write or say out loud. Leaving that hospital empty handed was SO hard. I felt the same way about how the world kept moving on. It amazed me and I remember thinking, "don't these people know I lost my babies." How can the world move on when my world has come crashing down?

    Thinking of you and lifting that heavy heart of yours! xo

    ReplyDelete
  3. ((((hugs))))

    there is a first around every corner isn't there???

    ReplyDelete
  4. praying for you, today especially. may the peace and love of God surround you, friend.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lori, I am so behind on my reading, but I just wanted to pop in and give you a huge hug and wanted to say that you are always in my thoughts and heart!

    Sarah xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  6. I remember being in shock....just in awe of how the world could possible continue spinning without Ayden in it. Our world had completely stopped...halted...no more spinning, yet outside of our world people were laughing, smiling, enjoying themselves, while we're left saying, "Don't you know what just happened to us?!" Our grief journey, while not as new as yours, still has a few more first to encounter. Ayden's birthday is coming up in 2 weeks...then Mother and Father's Days...then "that day." For his birthday, we are doing something simple...just getting a few close family and friends together, speaking a few words, and then releasing some balloons. It's all I could imagine handling. Somehow, we make it through the firsts...and the thought of these firsts becoming seconds, and thirds, and 10ths...ugh. It's daunting. Thinking of you...continually. You have been on my mind since we left TN. Take care, and I'll be staying in touch through your blog. Feel free to email anytime...

    ReplyDelete
  7. One day at a time my friend....one day at a time. You will do what feels right for you when
    those "firsts" come along.
    Prayers Always,
    Kelli

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's hard to think about all the firsts. Those are difficult moments.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sending my love and prayers to you today.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lori, I am still not at all those firsts either...I don't think I'll know what to do for some of them either. You are not alone. Thinking of you and sending hugs. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. (((((LORI))))) The tears are streaming...and my heart aches in only the way a mother who has lost a child can understand the pain of that ache.
    I am so very sorry. You are on my heart EVERY day...and not a day passes where I don't say hello to Matthew with Zac!

    Heather (heathershope - HP)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yes, those first were some of the same firsts I also had to experience. And even six months out I am still experiencing "firsts." Hard stuff.

    Been praying for you....

    ReplyDelete
  13. You are on my heart this late night (err, I guess actually early morning now) and I needed to drop by and let you know that Matthew is loved and remembered and you remain frequently in my prayers. {hug}

    ReplyDelete