A small window of grief has opened up in me since my return from Turkey a couple of weeks ago.
Turkey was amazing, a real unwind and some healing time spent with my very beautiful Turkish friends Yeliz and Kenan (check out their amazing shop www.theuniqueart.com). They took care of me wonderfully, opened their hearts and home to me and made a potentially difficult time much easier to manage, they hold a very dear space in my heart and I count having them in my life as a rich blessing. Thank you both xxx.
It took me a couple of days I would guess to figure out how to hold my ‘space’ as ‘me’ rather than me and Alistair. Remember, apart from when I was 17, I’ve never been one to go away with the girls or do things outside of coupledom so it felt quite weird initially. Im not overly keen on talking to actual humans for the sake of idle chit chat (an old misery guts like my lovely old mum- the apple didnt fall far from the tree)! So it helps that as my lovely sister in law says ” Im as mad as a box of frogs” and don’t mind talking to myself, flowers, tress and wildlife! In truth, much of the time when it seemed that I was talking to myself in Turkey I was actually talking to Alistair, I know without a doubt he was right beside me.
Also, I hadn’t figured on catching the eye of anyone and when I did it unsettled my equilibrium. Don’t get me wrong, it was very flattering and he wasn’t half bad looking either, but certainly not what I needed or have on my radar. Over the course of our relationship, I taught Alistair how to trust, he taught me faithfulness and we taught each other honour. Thats good enough for me 🙂
And then of course the delightful Candace, Kirt and Charlie Rascal joined me for the last week which was magical. Im very lucky that my grown up children are so happy to hang out with me and since Alistairs passing we have formed an even closer bond. Much laughter, inappropriate comments about me being a widow and black humour is always guaranteed. They didnt let me down.
Being away though disrupted the routine that I have established for myself since February. Routine helps lots of things I find and routine has certainly helped me ease my way in these early months of wearing widows weeds. I can’t quite put my finger on the exact changes, obviously tiny subtle things that only i would notice. I suppose some of them are good and signs of healing, being more relaxed and less needing things exactly as they were back in February. Not a routine thing I know, but I find now that I don’t have to stay only on Alistair’s side of the bed on the exact same spot on which he laid!
Im also unsettled as Im selling the house! Nothing to do with Alistair’s passing here at all. Quite simply in my heart I’m a cottage girl, we had the beautiful angel wrapped cottage in Brentwood and this house was what we needed at the time to accommodate Alistairs needs. It doesnt have my heart though and there are the most beautiful tiny weeny cottages around Saffy that certainly are much more me. Brave of me and possibly more emotionally challenging than I had initially realised, but the seed of an idea has germinated and Im totally excited by it. Another thread weaves its way into the mosaic of my life’s rich tapestry. Thank you to all 8 of my house selling and buying advisors who are steering me through such a big event with love and much needed rational assistance 🙂
Its long now without Alistair, this is my life, without my very best friend, my lover, my business partner, my mentor, my companion. The person who believed in me and would join me wholly in my world of metaphorically believing I could fly. The two of us would stand side by side with our left arms outstretched and our heads resting on our upper arms every time we came up with another plan or another idea or another dream that we wanted to manifest. Our own version of Peter Pan in flight. Both firmly believing that if it was right for us, the Universe would provide it for us if it was for the highest good of all and we had set out intentions accordingly. I still embrace this, I just have to fly on my own now. I also have to remember, if its not meant to be it won’t be and not to wrestle with that on an ego level; work in progress !!!
Of course, I have Candace and Kirt and Hannah, all of whom welcome me into their lives without question and who check in with me regularly. I have my lovely sister and equally lovely sister in law Gillian and Uncle Paul, all there for me with unwavering love and support. But, I don’t have Alistair. I don’t say this next sentence with pity or to try to win the competition of who is grieving more, but simply put, everyone else still has their special someone, I have lost mine. How I miss being cherished.
There is without doubt though a lot of healing going on deep in my soul. So yes, the window of grief is making its presence felt, And it will pass.
Namaste x
Living With Gladys Full Time 