This is what I have been trying to do with my life. Wrapping it up in pretty, shiny paper, trying to crease the imperfect edges just so, taping it shut with equal sized pieces of tape, and sticking a huge pile of beautiful curly ribbon on top. And after years and years of trying to do this, I have met my match. Something that was TOO BIG to even consider putting in a pretty box. It is SO FRUSTRATING!!! I don't want to accept that I will never get that pretty, shiny box of my own. I don't want to accept that my life is never going to be the life that I always wanted. The life that so many others still get to live. And now logically, I know I HAVE to. There is no choice. Yet here I am, still fighting, twisting, arguing, debating, pushing, kicking, screaming and digging my heels into the dirt just trying to MAKE IT SO. But danggit, it just won't fit.
So now what?
What do you do when your dream is over before its barely begun? What do you do when your dream turns into a nightmare? God willing, I've only lived 1/3 of my life, and yet I am now faced with the harsh reality that I will never have the life I wanted and dreamed of, no matter what I do, and the rest of it will always leave me wanting more. Its hard to face that reality with optimism and hope.
I know I should be grateful for other things that I have, and I do have some great things in my life. And I get really upset at myself when I start feeling bad, because I know there are others who have it "worse" than me (so not only do I feel awful, but then I feel guilty for feeling awful). But its kinda like getting a coat for Christmas, when everyone else on the block is getting bikes. And not a cute coat either...a bulky, ugly, scratchy, 100% wool, 'practical' coat that I can't return, and I am never, ever, ever allowed to take off. Ya, I suppose a coat is useful, and at least I got something, which is more than what some people get...but danggit, I really wanted that bike!!! And then I have to sit on my porch, wearing my stupid coat, while (seemingly) everyone else rides around on their bikes with big 'ole grins on their faces. Its hard not to be a little upset about it. Its really not very fair. And yet the coat is mine. And the bike is not.
So now what?
I'm not the first, nor will be the last, person to face this problem. Sooner or later, everyone gets knocked off their ladder, and then you'll have to clean out your closet, and try to make sense of everything again, and maybe not try to shove it in a pretty, shiny box with a bow on it (enough metaphors for ya?!)...but somehow learn to accept it for what it is and even, learn to love it and enjoy it, even with all its faults, and imperfect creases, and rips and tears, and no pile of curly ribbon. Just banged up, beat up, scarred for good...life. And accept that, whether you like it or not, its YOUR life, and you're only getting ONE, and somehow, you've got to figure out a way to make peace with it, despite the fact that its not the life you wanted.
While still accepting, that deep down, its normal to still want the bike, and you shouldn't feel guilty about it.
8 comments:
Frodo: I wish the Ring (a heavy burden)had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.
Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times; but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."
Victor E Frankl, survivor of a nazi concentration camp: "Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.
what do we do? we decide to choose our own way. we decide what to do with the time that is given to us.
it is not always easy and it takes strength and courage.
but we have "angels" to help us. xo- love you.
Life, God,wherever, was unfair to our babies and I feel that as long as I live I would never understand why and I would never accept this is what was meant to me. Because if was meant to me, I was the one with liver disease, not my baby.
I don´t have a good advice to you, just wanted to share, and tell you are not alone with your feelings.
We just need to live one day at time and enjoy happy moments, because there is no happyness anymore.
By the way,
I miss Gavin. Almost every day I go to Gavin´s blog and althought I know I´m going to cry, I always watch his video waving. I love that smile!
I believe he is an angel and some day I will meet him and give him a big kiss.
( you don´t need to publish this, just wanted to tell you that I always remember Gavin, he is very special to me.)
while my experiences are different from yours, i really relate to this post. i also have a hard time accepting things i dont have control over and believing that they are in my best interest, when i feel they are the worst possible. i have often thought if god would just give me control over my life it would be so much better. im sure in the grand scheme of things it wouldnt be, but lots of times i think i would be alot happier if i could control what happened in my life. maybe im just a control freak maybe i dont like pain....but the worst is missing out on dreams that were never "wrong" to begin with!
I love your posts. They always say what I feel. You truly have a talent in writing. I think of you often. Hope you are going to lunch on the 22nd! See ya soon!
Jen ( Kamber's Mommy)
This is exactly how I feel!! Thanks for putting it so well. ((Hugs))
Um, you are awesome. Can you put all of this into a book? You should...I LOVE to read your writing.
After reading your blog and many of Gavin's angel's blogs you have given me the courage to start my blog. Thank you for the shiny boxes. You couldn't have said it better. My life will never be as I thought it would be now that my son is gone. Thank you again.
Post a Comment