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Grieving on your own is very hard

(195 Posts)
Calpurnia Sun 26-Apr-20 08:15:52

Some of you may remember a thread of mine a little while ago about caring for my terminally ill husband.

My lovely man passed away ten days ago. I take comfort from the fact that I never left his side for the last three weeks and he died quietly in my arms. I hope he knew I was there at the end.

He did not die of the virus but how this has affected my plans. Due to very stringent regulations I am not able to see him again before his funeral later this week, although he did have a memorable and dignified send off from home and that too is a huge comfort. We are not allowed to even touch his coffin.

Our adult children are of course upset at the loss of a very much loved father. Due to being in isolation they are not allowed to visit me.

I have had to deal with all the household admin after a death, and I know many of you too will know about this, as well as make all the arrangements for the funeral by myself.

I am happy to do this as I have always been very independent and capable, but even I admit this is difficult for me.

Of course I get a phone call asking how I am, and always feel I should say that I am “fine” or “alright” - when I am not. I think they forget that they’ve have partners and children at home and there is someone to put a caring arm around them when they feel sad - I do not. There is someone else who knew a kind father in law or a loved Grandpa with whom to share memories - I do not.

Please don’t think a I am feeling sorry for myself, I just wish they could acknowledge that these past few years and especially now are difficult and sad for me.

It is lonely during this lockdown and even more so when you are grieving on you own.

TATT Mon 27-Apr-20 09:50:56

I am so sorry to read your message. What a sad and difficult time for you and your family. I can only imagine the anguish and sorrow you are all feeling.

Larissa67 Mon 27-Apr-20 09:50:50

My heart goes out to you. Please believe we are all hear to listen with patience and understanding whenever you need.

Bluekitchen192 Mon 27-Apr-20 09:47:23

Thinking of you Calpurnia and holding you and your husband in my prayers now and for the rest of this day. Wishing you peace and wonderful memories. Take good care of yourself. Grief is tiring.

dizzygran Mon 27-Apr-20 09:46:37

So very sorry for your loss - made so much worse by lockdown. You are taking on so much on your own - not easy at any time. Well done for all you are doing. Do ring Cruise, or one of the supports for people coping with bereavement - your doctor's surgery or library should be able to give you a contact number, or find it on line. It is so good that you have lovely memories and that you were able to be with him right up to the end.

polnan Mon 27-Apr-20 09:45:04

oh gosh, my dh died, well coming up to the 6 month time for me..

and flicking through these posts, I see, Calpurnia , that, we are indeed, not alone..
wondering if we could have a "thread?" here for those of us who want/need to talk?

if there is already one, can someone point me in the direction.
I was o.k. Calpurnia. till I read this

“From the minute we met I never for a moment thought no matter what happened - we would ever part”

and now my eyes are letting go again.. I am so tired of this crying...

but I keep reading that it is good to cry, yet some people say they can`t cry,, oh dear..

so.. is there a thread that we could come back to and share here??

hugs Calpurnia...

deaneke Mon 27-Apr-20 09:40:10

A big virtual hug to you...
May your memories sustain you during this time.
I am so sorry...

RosesAreRed21 Mon 27-Apr-20 09:36:22

I am so very sorry for your loss and dealing with this in isolation must be awful for you. Sending you virtual hug x

Disneyfan Mon 27-Apr-20 09:35:55

Dear Calpurnia, I am so sorry for your loss and cannot begin to understand how you must be feeling. Please accept my condolences. ??

May7 Mon 27-Apr-20 08:44:13

?

Calpurnia Mon 27-Apr-20 08:14:40

At this awful time all the kindness, understanding and support I have received here has helped me immensely and I really thank you all.

I knew the collective wisdom of you all would help me and you all certainly understand the feelings I have and we all share.

In the months leading up to my husband’s death I took strength from reading similar posts to mine, reading how others coped with the death of their husband, the support and help they received and realised I would soon face it too - and here I am.

I can tell you all that I take comfort from re-reading (many times) all your words of kindness.

I did wonder - during the long hours of the night - that by not telling my family how I really feel they might think I don’t miss my husband all that much and indeed think I am coping and will just carry on without him in my usual strong independent way... as mum.

I know you will all know the awful feeling of thoughts constantly bombarding your mind - things you could have done more or better, things left unsaid - the list goes on and in itself is exhausting.

After being on emotional and physical overdrive for so long now I cannot seem to slow down or stop. I promised myself that one day I would take myself off for a quiet walk just to think by myself and today I will.

Together, by phone with a very kind Celebrant we have put together a very reflective and respectful order of Service- with a very personal touch just from me that I have not told the family about. I know my husband would be happy with how I have managed his day.

grannyactivist Mon 27-Apr-20 00:11:29

Midgey and Calpurnia - sending condolences to you both. Life is still raw for you and I'm glad that the warm and sympathetic GN community is here for you with so much comfort and experience to share. flowers

V3ra Sun 26-Apr-20 23:58:08

Calpurnia the funeral arrangements sound just perfect.
I love the story about your mother's reaction to your wedding. How wrong she was proved to be!
God bless x

EMMF1948 Sun 26-Apr-20 22:31:27

I know exactly what you mean, my husband died suddenly two days into the lockdown, it's hard to know what's caused by the grief and what's caused by the lockdown. The other thing that's bothering me is that once this is over then I'll have to go through it all again when meeting up with others for the first time.

Chardy Sun 26-Apr-20 22:26:33

So sorry to hear of your loss, Calpurnia, losing a partner must be hell, and that hell intensified by the current situation. Is there one of your children or their partners who you can talk to? We may be in isolation for a while yet, and I think you may need to talk now.

Luckygirl Sun 26-Apr-20 21:30:35

Don't apologise midgey - we are all in this sad situation together, and can share our burden.

flowers to all who are trying to adjust to such a heavy loss under these truly challenging circumstances.

Maybelater2020 Sun 26-Apr-20 21:20:52

Migey. I am so sorry for your loss.flowers

dragonfly46 Sun 26-Apr-20 20:52:48

midgey I am so sorry and I am sure* Calpurnia* will appreciate and sympathise.

Hetty58 Sun 26-Apr-20 20:50:07

Calpurnia I'm grieving on my own too. I know all about grieving - but alone is a whole new challenge.

I seem to be going through it faster this time. We couldn't have a funeral, though, as everyone is isolating.

Instead, he had an unaccompanied cremation. We hope to have a scattering of the ashes and memorial service next summer.

midgey Sun 26-Apr-20 20:40:06

I shouldn’t have high jacked Calpurnia’s thread, I apologise.

MawB Sun 26-Apr-20 20:25:05

Midgey I am so very sorry - sincere sympathy flowers

Grannynannywanny Sun 26-Apr-20 20:18:19

So sorry for your loss Midgey ?

midgey Sun 26-Apr-20 20:11:13

My husband died last Sunday, I can’t get my head around him not coming home. He fought for so long but not even he could beat Covid19.

Bellanonna Sun 26-Apr-20 19:51:22

Goodness Calpurnia it’s still so new for you. It’s a particularly bad time to suffer a bereavement. Please don’t tell family you are fine when you are not. Just tell them how you really feel.
And please come back and talk to us.

Chrissielou Sun 26-Apr-20 19:33:31

I am so sorry Calpurnia, how desperately difficult for you. Your husband will be with you in spirit always. May it comfort you.

Grannmarie Sun 26-Apr-20 12:54:44

Dear Calpurnia, please accept my condolences on the death of your dear husband. The loss of a beloved life partner is a heartbreak at any time, but is now particularly difficult and upsetting because of the current situation.

You have expressed your feelings honestly and eloquently to us, perhaps now try to share this with your children and grandchildren? It is perfectly acceptable to be 'not fine'.
Take comfort from the facts that you cared for your lovely man till the end, and he passed peacefully in your arms. Those are consoling memories to have.

My cousin's lovely husband of 56 years died in hospital on Tuesday. She is so distraught that she couldn't be with him, she is finding that really hard to come to terms with.

Sending love and condolences.