This past weekend, we finally made a trip up to Canada to see Jeremy's completed grave stone (I may blog more about this later). It's been done for a month and a half now and we haven't been able to get up there before now and it's been tearing at me. I'm so glad we finally got to go see it. It doesn't feel right for something to be done for/about/in honor of him and not be a part of it, because he's a part of me.
I'm always so glad to get up there. Not just to Jeremy's grave (although I strangely look forward to going, perhaps because I know I can't just go anytime and I feel Jer there) but I really ache when I'm away too long. I miss Jeremy's family. My family. I miss his presence that's always in the midst of whatever we're doing there. I miss the familiar smells, faces, and places that are just him. They are not associated with anyone else.
I noticed something happening this trip though. It's happened once or twice before, randomly, but it always catches me off guard and leaves me frustrated and on the verge of tears.
I started to forget.
It's small things. This weekend, while sitting around during our ritual late night conversation filled with inappropriate jokes and bodily sounds (very Jeremy-esque), I suddenly heard in my head the sound of Jeremy burping. Ya know, that manly burp that's loud and obnoxious - he was always so proud of it. Well, he used to try to burp the alphabet and see how far he could get, or more often, he would burp "Ralph Forfar" - don't ask me why. But for a split second, I couldn't remember that name. His sisters had to help me remember, while I choked back tears for forgetting.
It seems trivial and silly, but anyone who has lost someone close understands how scary it can be when pieces of the ones you love start slipping. You suddenly forget the feeling of them next to you, just for a moment, and it scares you half to death. Or you can't remember the name of that one place you went to together, or exactly what started that inside joke. Or for me, not remembering the exact phrase that Jeremy used to repeat all the time from a french cartoon he watched as a kid. It was the only french he could remember and he recalled it anytime someone asked him if knew French (cause apparently all Canadians are supposed to). I can hear the inflection in my head. I can see his facial expressions. But the piece left me for awhile and made me angry with tears every time I tried to remember it.
It taps into my biggest fear: people forgetting Jeremy. If I can't remember a detail about Jeremy and I was closest person to him, who's to say others won't forget things too? Obvious, that's an irrational thought, but grief is not rational. It plays with your every emotion, every insecurity, every fear. It sneaks up and rearranges every puzzle piece you've tried to put back together in your life only to change the picture that was on the puzzle to begin with. The pieces never fit back together like they used to and when the pieces you've held onto the tightest start slipping, it threatens the very breath and life of you.
My only comfort in these moments are focusing on the things I do remember. The things I will NEVER forget. And the things that are only mine. Ours. I'll carry those with me in my heart wherever I go til the day I die.
...It sneaks up and rearranges every puzzle piece you've tried to put back together in your life only to change the picture that was on the puzzle to begin with....
ReplyDeletelove that, vee.
THIS IS EXACTLY HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS - SCARED I WILL FORGET THE ESSENTIAL PIECES.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU FOR ARTICULATING THIS PAINFUL PART OF THE GRIEF.
My puzzle will never fit together again, the main piece is gone. I, too, fear that people have already forgotten my husband; they seem to have forgotten me, too. Time to start a new puzzle, new pieces, new picture.
ReplyDeleteMy spouse will forever be in my heart. I find like you have found that some memories are harder to recall. I think it's partly because most memories were shared just by the two of us and he isn't here to help me remember or recall some of them. We were a te; half of that team is gone. Now there is a team of one.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, when I try to recall something humorous he said that a family member might also know, I will reach out. I think the family member also appreciates being asked; we have a good talk and laugh about the silly sayings, his wonderful sense of humor, etc.
I miss him and always will.
I think memories also fade with time and as new memories are made. My spouse has been gone more than two years. Sometimes it seems like a long time ago, other times like just yesterday.
But his memory is a blessing.
Hugs.
Thanks for a nice post.
Dave was great at doing impressions of people, especially my dad, who has a very thick eastern european accent. Dave would on occasion call up a family member and initially pretend that he was my father - and they didn't clue in until he finally changed to his own voice.
ReplyDeleteIt was hilarious! He was hilarious and could have us all giggling in an instant.
I miss him so much today.
This post just reminded me of that little memory that I had 'forgotten'.
Thank you.