Monday, October 24, 2005

Second verse, same as the first

Today I have incredibly chapped hands. I think the hours of digging in the garden and the hours carving our Halloween pumpkin yesterday took their toll on my poor fingers. So I pulled out the True Blue Spa Mega Butter my friend H bought me as a pamper mommy gift when I was expecting Alex. I had dumped it in the bottom drawer of my filing cabinet upon returning to work, in one of my "I can't deal with this right now" acts of cowardice. I saw it today and thought it would be great for my hands.

It was the only lotion smell that didn't make me want to throw up while I was pregnant. I would sit here and talk to my fellow pregnant co-worker, taking off my rings and rubbing the cream into my hands. I vaguely remember my belly being big and heavy. Even more vague is the memory of my Alex wiggling and kicking. But it's still there in some deep dark recess of my mind.

The now mommy co-worker walked past my door on her way to the office kitchenette. Like so many times before, I half expected her to stop in my doorway for a chat. But she didn't even look my direction. I could tell she was hoping I didn't speak to her. We just don't have anything to talk about anymore, I guess.

It's been a year since I carried the secret that would be Alex with me. This time last year is when I shared my secret with my friends at work. This time last year was so full of happiness and anticipation. This time last year was magic. Sadly, the familiar scent of my hand lotion just didn't bring any magic with it. Nor did the return of my co-worker from her extended maternity leave. It's looking more and more like the life I had is gone for good. On some purely academic level, I guess I knew this. But it is always an emotional blow when the news reaches my heart and soul again and again. Perhaps that's what it takes for me to accept it or deal with it or reconcile...whatever the term du jour may be.

The tears are coming today for some reason. Maybe it's the stress of other things weakening my ability to keep it all together. But I find myself without a smile...without joy. Today is just a bad day.

I took a little hanging Jack-o-lantern to the cemetery for Alex's grave yesterday and sobbed. This isn't how this is supposed to be. If I can't even get through Halloween, how am I going to get through Thanksgiving and Christmas? I am tempted to boycott them altogether. I know I should be ready to count my blessings and be thankful for what I have. But there is this sadness and anger that fills that space where happiness and thankfulness used to reside.

So I overcompensate and make a production of buying Sam a Halloween costume and hanging up Halloween decorations. And I smile but don't speak to the new mommy co-worker. And I use my True Blue Spa Mega Butter. And I sit here and remember. And I cry.

10 comments:

Heather said...

I am so, so sorry you are feeling this way. Time and time again I find myself wishing I could jump on a plane and somehow attempt to make you feel better. It sucks being so far away. I feel like typing is never enough. Just know that you are always in my heart and on my mind. Many cyber hugs are coming your way.

Anonymous said...

Hugs.

Dana said...

{{{{Kate}}}}

I love you sis. :heart

Ann Howell said...

I'm sorry you're feeling so down. I'm sending you a big cyber hug, though I wish I could do more. These days come out of nowhere sometimes and it's hard to think yourself into feeling happier. If it's any consolation, I totally boycotted Christmas last year, and I'm not sure if it helped. As sad as it would have been to look at the tree knowing that it should have had presents for the baby flowing around it, it was almost sadder looking at the empty space where it should have been. Does that make any sense? Anyway, I hope you feel better soon. Sometimes I find that a good cry is the best medicine.

Kathy McC said...

(((hugs)))

Julie said...

This time of year is going to be so hard. Holidays, crappy, gloomy weather... on top of the daily blues. I'm sorry, and I wish I could give you a real hug, but here's the best I have right now. {{{Catherine}}}
Thinking of you, my friend.

MB said...

You will get through it the same way we all have. Because we have to. We have our family and friends who depend on us. We have our children who need us. we get up everyday and do it because we have to.

Life won't ever be the same. You'll remember and think of him everyday. You wonder what if and what would be at every holiday and special event. That is the future we all have.

Sadly, for us, that's just how it is.

I'm sorry.

M

cat said...

You don't always have to keep it together. Cry as much as you need to. There is no right way to mourn this. I wish these hugs could be real ones.

Jillian said...

(((((Catherine))))) I wish there was some way to take even a little of your pain away, it's just too much to bear:(

Thinking of you my friend x

kate said...

(((((((hugs))))))) Overcompensation is good...it does just get worse as Xmas approaches but you will get through this. There are alot of tears but you will make it through...

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My mom insisted on living independently. She wanted to live in the two-story house she and my dad built in the 70s, despite the fact that da...