It's been forever since I've posted anything but, as usual, life had gone on. And what a life it's been! Spring had finally sprung in NYC and my fellow New Yorkers share my enthusiasm for the consistent sunshine and warm weather. Sometimes, a bit too much - I've seen way too many unmanicured toes and bare shoulders on both men and women. The one thing the beautiful weather had brought to me is a new perspective. But it's also brought me memories, most of them painful because they are of the good old days with Dylan.
May 13th will be a year since Dylan's asthma attack and brain injury. In the past year I've learned alot about me, my family, friends, strangers, life and must of all about Dylan. It's been a year of discovery about anoxic brain injuries, DNRs, the responsibilities of hospitals, doctors, nurses and nurse's aides, physical therapists, occupational therapists and my role and responsibilities in all of this. It's been a tiring year of parenting and I hate to admit it, but I don't feel that I'm worthy of a passing grade right now.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Most days I'm full of doubt and exhaustion. I'm at my wits end on how to come to terms with this new life Dylan and I share. I miss her tremendously when I'm not in the hospital with her and am full of a mixture of angst and hope when I'm there. The latter may seem impossible but anyone who's ever had to sit idly by as a loved one lay in the hospital while you helplessly pray and wait for the best to happen for them knows what I mean.
May 13th will be a year since Dylan's asthma attack and brain injury. In the past year I've learned alot about me, my family, friends, strangers, life and must of all about Dylan. It's been a year of discovery about anoxic brain injuries, DNRs, the responsibilities of hospitals, doctors, nurses and nurse's aides, physical therapists, occupational therapists and my role and responsibilities in all of this. It's been a tiring year of parenting and I hate to admit it, but I don't feel that I'm worthy of a passing grade right now.</p>
<p dir=ltr>Most days I'm full of doubt and exhaustion. I'm at my wits end on how to come to terms with this new life Dylan and I share. I miss her tremendously when I'm not in the hospital with her and am full of a mixture of angst and hope when I'm there. The latter may seem impossible but anyone who's ever had to sit idly by as a loved one lay in the hospital while you helplessly pray and wait for the best to happen for them knows what I mean.
What's been the most difficult for me to deal with lately is the loss of the little things. I no longer have a routine - my body doesn't even remember it. I never thought I'd say this but I miss waking up at 5am to get Dylan ready for school and me for work. What I wouldn't give right now to be complaining about having only 3 hours sleep! All those questions that Dylan used to ask on the way to school that would, at times, drive me up the wall would be SO welcome right now. I would deal with her asking me 50 questions in a row right now. No joke. I miss all the stories family, friends and her teachers would tell me about their encounters with her. And I miss the normalcy of all those relationships too. There are times where - even if I've made plans to see someone - where I'm just not up to it all of a sudden. But I go to dinner, I meet to catch up because I know I need it and it's good for me. But deep down inside, I hate that I feel that way....I wish the feeling didn't exist in me. And most of all, I hate that I can't remember my baby's voice. I have to listen to a voicemail in order for me to hear it. How sad is that?! I find myself concentrating so hard sometimes to remember it on my own that I get a headache.
But as I said at the beginning of this post, I have a new perspective. So while I don't have any answers, I do know that I'm feeling better than I did a year ago. Or at the very least, I'm moving healthily through the stages of grief. So that's what I focus on now. That what I'm feeling is normal and to be expected. That this will take time because it's not an easy thing for anyone to adjust to. So thank you to all my family and friends for being there for me. And I apologize to those that I have not kept in constant contact with - especially the parents from Excellence Girls. Sometimes it's really, really difficult for me to speak with you all because it reminds me so much of her. But I feel your support nonetheless and do appreciate it.
The other thing I've realized is that I need this blog. I need to write about my feelings, I need to let them out. And I need to free myself creatively in general so I've started on a short story and may return to writing my poems if I can get my thoughts together enough to do that. And I need to write about the other parts of my life here too. The one thing that I can say this past year has brought me is to a ton of great restaurants!! And I should be doing them justice and sharing the wealth about my experiences there. So more writing to come from me.
One day at a time, I need to find myself again. I need to find peace. I need to find a way to live this life of mine. I need to come to terms with the fact that I have no idea what the future holds (the planner in me cannot stand that!). No silver lining in this post. Just the belief that with each day, it will get easier and that I'll find my stride. Just the belief that I continue to hope and to fight alongside Dylan everyday. I strive to wake up each day, be thankful and make it a great one. That's all I can do.
