Waiting

Writing has always given me joy, solace and peace of mind. I started writing poetry at the age of 10 and still have those poems pressed into a blue album that has sat on my shelf for over half a century. And yet, the one time I need those things more than any other time I find I am slow to write them down. Words drip into my partly numbed brain and hover briefly around me, only to dissolve like those little clouds we drive through on a winding mountain road on a cold autumn morning. They burn up at first light. Some of them however, sear my skin, stab a poker in my heart and leave me shredded and raw. Those words of death and loss and finality scream at me inches from my face and make me shut my eyes and clench my toes and hold my breath and hold back, for just one more second please let me hold off the inevitable avalanche of grief that wants to consume me for hours and hours and hours. I hold on begging my body to be calm, to breathe slowly, explaining I just can’t go through another 6 hours of heaving and wailing and sobbing.

But I do.

There are words shoving their way into and over and on top of other words. Pushing them out of the way. Take me, take me. I’m the word you want. Write me. They come at me, not to me, jumbled and stuck together with dried old tears.  Glued to my heart, shards of memories that shatter into a violent, painful, aching moan.

Four months and I’m still waiting for him to come home. I want to write to him “Enough already. Come home. Just come home.”

Everything in our home is waiting. The freezer is filled with food he loves, waiting to be thawed and lovingly cooked. His chair, still slightly dented from the last time he sat looking down at his iPad writing words to friends, shopping lists, emails to our children. Words flowed from him through his fingers with such effortless ease.  Our bed is waiting. Pillows neatly placed every morning after a night of wrestling, throttling squeezing and piling them around me.  They pretend to be him and to be fair they do their best but they a hopeless.  I never tell them because I may need them to pretend again tomorrow but they know and I  know they are not him. I guess they are waiting too.

Those nights. Those dark salty demented nights are softened by the words I cannot write. I whisper, ‘Can you hear me? I’m here. Can you give me a little sign?”  The pitch blackness quivers and I feel a tingling in my head. “Are you here? Is that you?”  And I begin to share how it is and what I think and I imagine he is right here arm draped heavily around me as I talk and talk and remind him about the time we went skinny dipping at Hof Dado in Haifa and I laugh. “You only did it that once in all the years we were married. I laugh out loud and startle myself with the sound. And remember the time you were lifted high on a chair at our daughter’s wedding and you held on for dear life. Dear life. You are so fragile. So precious. So, fleeting. Somehow, I fall asleep and wake to a new day. Another day.  I take 4 deep breaths and will my feet to step into this day not knowing how am going to make it through.

But I do.

I miss him. But I also miss me. That passionate, positive, powerful woman who relished and cherished every day. That mother of five who was rarely tired and who could write and study and cook and drop off and pick up and dress up without blinking twice. Grief takes away twice and it is a journey only those of us who have bid a final farewell to a loved one, really understand. I listen with such intensity when those who have undergone what I have just begun, speak to me. I relish their stories of healing and the gentle dawning of their new lives. I thirstily drink in their every word of possibility, potential and promise.  I am overjoyed when one or two share their latest adventure and assure me they had a most wonderful time.

In the meantime, when I am asked how am I, I still take a few seconds to reconnect with my heart and scan my sense of self. I look within and then check the weather outside. Part of me is very thankful to be alive and to have the best family and dearest friends imaginable. The other part remembers how easily I once answered that question and I am struck by the realization that I am still waiting for her to come home too.

 

 

Comments (16)

  • Judy Robertson

    She will.

    • Sharon

      You are a master word-minimalist and every word you write is poetry.

  • Jacki Neuman

    Beyond words ... Palpable feelings , shared . U r so gifted , keep on being U ... Love J Xxxxxxxxxx

  • Juliet Martine

    Such strong love... such painful grief... one day there will be balance again darling Sharon. In the meantime, thank you for giving voice to all you are experiencing and for sharing it so poignantly xox

    • Sharon

      No words to thank you for your love and wisdom and sacred gift of healing.

  • Stephanie Dowrick

    Your honesty is deeply needed, dear Sharon. I can only say that prayers and love are with you. And it's not enough, I know, I know. Your own gentleness to self never more needed. And your family's aliveness likewise. God bless and God bless.

    • Sharon

      Thank you dearest Stephanie. I am thankful to hear this. Sending you so much love back.

  • Laura Bullock

    The most beautiful, soul touching and real words. You are incredible x

  • michelle

    Oh dear Sharon my heart breaks for you. Grief is so harsh and raw. Learning how to live without them is the hardest lesson of all. He is right by your side and when you are ready to start taking those first steps, he will be holding your hand and taking them with you. In the meantime be patient and embrace his spirit, as a love like you both shared is eternal and that is what will help you move forward and regain your strength. Sending you lots of healing hugs and love dear cousin xx

    • Sharon

      Thanks Michelle. I am in touch with him every day. We talk all the time and he is creating miracles I can only shake my head at as they manifest. It is the physical absence that is challenging.

  • Orly Faya Snir

    Mama..... as tears stream down my face, and my heart heaves heavy, I must tell you, that this is the most authentic raw and beautiful piece you have ever written. I love you so much. Waiting with arms open to see you in a few days... cannot wait. Your other orzy

    • Sharon

      How blessed am I to have two Orzy's in my life. Cant wait to hold you in my arms. Soon. I on my way

  • Liz Pozniak

    Dear Sharon I just read your piece, so beautifully written, so raw and honest. Of course nobody can experience your grief, but you are a very special person and you will shine brightly again.

  • Julie

    Beautiful expression of deepest truth and being. And within the grief the immense strength as you do go on and will go on. Nothing shapes us like deep raw grief. Your sharing is powerful and so beautiful and beneficial for all to feel the truth and painful birthing into a new life. ThankYOU beautiful lady🙌😘

    • Sharon

      Thank you Julie. I so appreciate your generous and kind thoughts.

  • Adi Snir

    Oh mamma, I miss Aba so much and relate to that longing for our previous selves, knowing on a deeper level that we will evolve and grow into newer, fuller selves carrying a part of Aba within each of us. Love you, miss you, can't wait to see you soon. xxxxxx

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