Tuesday, October 2, 2012

It's been too long - forgive me.

Hey Kate.
It's been a while.  I know, I've been a neglectful cousin.   You wrote me in July bearing your soul, and I continued on my daily routine unsure of how or what to respond.  Even when the news was offered, by Derek actually, I vowed to call, to send a card, to plot a visit.  But nothing.  I can't imagine that feeling of hosting life only to lose it.  

I could offer the age old canned sympathies "It'll get better, keep your head up..."  blah, blah, blah
Or the medical frankness: "It's ok, first time pregnancies are often..." blah, blah, blah. 
I may even go the enlightened path: "Well, maybe now is not the right karmic time..."  blah, blah, blah.

After experiencing way too much loss in my life, my best advice:  It sucks, I know - trust me.  Different loss, but loss all the same.  Normalcy?  Ha, what's that?  Whatever it was for me before this devastation will never be the same again.  So now another whole new adjustment.  Transitioning to a new routine, a new sense of normalcy, a new definition of the way life should be. 

And yet the changes never stop coming.

For people of our genes who like a bit of routine in order to have that bit of order, the realities of life seem unfair.  Like a cruel joke at best.  But... I refuse to be laughed at.  I wouldn't be who I am today if I gave in to life's little pranks.  So, here's my real advice:

Donate your cloth diapers.  Keep knitting your blanket...it will be used one day.  Keep your mind open and fresh to those names.  Just because this little heartbeat didn't make it to term will never mean you were not meant to be a mother.  One circumstance does not make a whole.   Whenever the time is right for you and Jeremiah to parent children, in whatever shape, manner or form...it will be right.   The path in that direction may not be easiest - you may suffer another miscarriage - God forbid - but your determination to be a mother will win through.  Just keep your mind WIDE open to the multitude of possibilities, as well as patient for accepting the right time. 

Take it from the 33 year old whose mother recently referred to as her  "spinster daughter."  
I was not amused to her tease.

The future will happen soon enough.  I love you bunches and miss the dickens out of you.  (The dickens, now what the heck does that mean??)   Speaking of future:  In December I'm plotting a venture to Virginia to get the hell out of dodge.  I graduate the 15th, an plan to celebrate with those I hold most dear.  I told mom I wanted to go to West Virginia, but she did not trust my driving capabilities on WV winter roads...  But, none the less, one reason for my venture is to scope the area with the plot to relocate.  I love Florida, but I'm ready to be closer to family...I love my mother and my brother, but it's odd sometimes how I feel more connected to family when around you guys up yonder.  I feel alone down here.  And it has gotten worse over the past year; after I moved out to the island and all my friends are at least 30 minutes away.  I've come to realize it's time for a change.  I want to be near my roots.  I want to have the ability to take a weekend trip to see my cousin to watch "Cloud Atlas" in theaters (I'm re-reading the book in anticipation).  I want to watch football, have a beer, simply spend a weekend with my cousins, my family.  So, now you and Derek are the only two with the know of my evil plots and plans....  :)

Anywho.  I hope this helps some.  I know the feelings of loneliness /  being alone, without being a complete depressive...  perhaps both our futures will hold a more acceptable convenience for visitation and  consolation.  Better, even, than words written on a page.

My love to you cousin,

I hope this finds you in healthier spirits...It better anyway, it's been many a month!!!

Peace and Love,
Leigh

PS...in your honor (sort of...)
My co-worker is from West Virginia.  We watch WVU football almost every weekend it is televised down here.  But I warned her that when V. Tech plays WVU, my loyalties go with the Hokies.  I may need that shirt after all!

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