May 19, 2021Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar, Rebecca Coates
Loved this piece! Heartfelt. Took my breath away after end & brought tears to my eye.
I just want the pandemic to b over & done with. Looking forward to not having to wear a mask & b able to travel. I'm in a long distance relationship right now. I miss my man!
I've had my first vaccine dose. It was emotional for me when I got it.
My boyfriend is dealing with his father's declining health so this article brought some clarity & insight.
Oh, wow! A long-distance relationship is hard under normal circumstances. During a pandemic, and when one partner's enduring the personal stress and trauma of an ailing parent... That's a lot.
I know you're looking forward to being in your boyfriend's arms. I'm sure he's desperate for the tangible love and support, too...I hope you both get to have that very very soon 💜
May 22, 2021Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar, Rebecca Coates
Yes it's very challenging. I've definitely had my ups & downs. We r both committed to each other & to making things work so that helps to get us through.
Really looking forward to seeing him. We keep trying but get held back due to travel restrictions & threats to our health.
Britt, I am so so so very sorry. I'm hoping you have some space to feel what you need to. Even if right now those feelings aren't even taking any specific shape yet, or you can't name them. That's okay.
I'm sending you all the hugs and love. And to your family and others who are hurting from the loss of your Dad 💔
I so Love Becca’s raw, no fluff story about grief. It’s a process and a long journey to find Joy again. I’m here to testify that JOY is so very possible. Most importantly, allow yourself to express your grief, sadness, isolation, depression to someone that can listen and help you through your loss and feelings. It’s Ok to scream or cry... tears are release! Please get it up and out...please find a support group that can listen without judgement and hold you up on the worst days. Healing is possible. Ohh vaccine.. got Pfizer and had no problem or reaction. I really don’t want to wear a mask for 10 more years. I want to be free to explore and travel.... safely! Stay healthy xxx *love, leelee
Thank you, leelee... That's very reassuring! I'm not quite at joy yet, but there have been inklings of it some days lately 💖
I also got Pfizer with no reaction! I feel like most people I know had some sort of stove effect... Some worse than others. Oh, it feels good to resume a little normalcy.
May 18, 2021Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar, Rebecca Coates
Beccas beautiful writing really emanates what I have been feeling the last 16 months as of tomorrow with my mom's passing. I got to admit I cried along with every word.
To answer your question though Katie, I am looking forward to concerts and seeing my favorite bands again! Yassss!
Xoxo.
And yes, every breath counts. So I'm going to try to take some deep breaths myself more so today than ever.
Laura, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow on another anniversary. My Dad passed one year ago on May 3... In some ways it feels more recent and fresh now after the year mark. Do you feel that way, too?
(Also very excited get out to doing things again... One of the first big disappointments of the pandemic for me was when the Alanis Morissette tour was canceled. My mom, sister, and I had tickets to go. But it's back on and we get to see her in August! It's kinda like the best reward for surviving this last year together 😭)
May 18, 2021Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar, Rebecca Coates
Yes, I absolutely do. My mom passed jan 19th 2020. The things we pushed down start to come out and start to really be hard to bear in the second year. But we have to grieve... we have to feel it in order to get thru it. I promised my mother and myself that this time around I would face the pain and get thru it in a healthy manner. My best friend committed suicide in high school and I went off the deep end then and started to drink and do drugs in order not to face any of the pain. For years I was on the edge of life with these crazy moments that I used just to escape everything I was feeling.
But as I said this time around I'm trying to heal myself in a healthy way with meditation, walks and workouts and learning new things thru endorphin boosts that happen naturally. Plus water and reading and self care! I don't have children but my two fur babies (kitties) bring me lots of love and comfort. Xoxo.
And concerts are definitely the best reward!!! The BEST. ❤🙂👍 omgosh now I really can't wait! Seether and Shinedown for me!
I love your approach. I'm doing more of that healthy grieving now, too...I cut back drastically on drinking, which has been a very very very positive change. Now that I'm vaccinated, I rejoined a gym and am trying to go a couple days a week. The desire to numb the pain with chemicals is strong, and quickly becomes a slippery slope. I hate that you've had to endure such a painful loss and that destructive grief that comes with it. I'm grateful, though, that you were able to use that experience as a way to reframe how you deal with it this time around. I know your mom would be so proud of you. Your best friend would be, too 😭😭😭 (hugs)
Thank you Becca for sharing your language of grief... you spoke to my heart and the pain of losing my daughter just 14 months ago. Sometimes I'm gasping for air and it feels impossible to find it. Taking deep yoga breaths helps me find some air when I'm drowning in my grief.
Oh, Janet. My heart is with yours. As a mother, just reading that takes my own breath away. Keep taking those deep yoga breaths. One at a time. It's all that can be done some days, and that's okay. <3
Loved this piece! Heartfelt. Took my breath away after end & brought tears to my eye.
I just want the pandemic to b over & done with. Looking forward to not having to wear a mask & b able to travel. I'm in a long distance relationship right now. I miss my man!
I've had my first vaccine dose. It was emotional for me when I got it.
My boyfriend is dealing with his father's declining health so this article brought some clarity & insight.
Thank you. Really enjoyed this!
Oh, wow! A long-distance relationship is hard under normal circumstances. During a pandemic, and when one partner's enduring the personal stress and trauma of an ailing parent... That's a lot.
I know you're looking forward to being in your boyfriend's arms. I'm sure he's desperate for the tangible love and support, too...I hope you both get to have that very very soon 💜
Yes it's very challenging. I've definitely had my ups & downs. We r both committed to each other & to making things work so that helps to get us through.
Really looking forward to seeing him. We keep trying but get held back due to travel restrictions & threats to our health.
Appreciate your comments & perspective.
My dad died ten days ago. This hit so close. Beautiful writing.
Britt, I am so so so very sorry. I'm hoping you have some space to feel what you need to. Even if right now those feelings aren't even taking any specific shape yet, or you can't name them. That's okay.
I'm sending you all the hugs and love. And to your family and others who are hurting from the loss of your Dad 💔
Oh Britt, I am so so sorry to hear that. Be gentle with yourself in this tender time. Sending love. xo
I so Love Becca’s raw, no fluff story about grief. It’s a process and a long journey to find Joy again. I’m here to testify that JOY is so very possible. Most importantly, allow yourself to express your grief, sadness, isolation, depression to someone that can listen and help you through your loss and feelings. It’s Ok to scream or cry... tears are release! Please get it up and out...please find a support group that can listen without judgement and hold you up on the worst days. Healing is possible. Ohh vaccine.. got Pfizer and had no problem or reaction. I really don’t want to wear a mask for 10 more years. I want to be free to explore and travel.... safely! Stay healthy xxx *love, leelee
Thank you, leelee... That's very reassuring! I'm not quite at joy yet, but there have been inklings of it some days lately 💖
I also got Pfizer with no reaction! I feel like most people I know had some sort of stove effect... Some worse than others. Oh, it feels good to resume a little normalcy.
Beccas beautiful writing really emanates what I have been feeling the last 16 months as of tomorrow with my mom's passing. I got to admit I cried along with every word.
To answer your question though Katie, I am looking forward to concerts and seeing my favorite bands again! Yassss!
Xoxo.
And yes, every breath counts. So I'm going to try to take some deep breaths myself more so today than ever.
Laura, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow on another anniversary. My Dad passed one year ago on May 3... In some ways it feels more recent and fresh now after the year mark. Do you feel that way, too?
(Also very excited get out to doing things again... One of the first big disappointments of the pandemic for me was when the Alanis Morissette tour was canceled. My mom, sister, and I had tickets to go. But it's back on and we get to see her in August! It's kinda like the best reward for surviving this last year together 😭)
Yes, I absolutely do. My mom passed jan 19th 2020. The things we pushed down start to come out and start to really be hard to bear in the second year. But we have to grieve... we have to feel it in order to get thru it. I promised my mother and myself that this time around I would face the pain and get thru it in a healthy manner. My best friend committed suicide in high school and I went off the deep end then and started to drink and do drugs in order not to face any of the pain. For years I was on the edge of life with these crazy moments that I used just to escape everything I was feeling.
But as I said this time around I'm trying to heal myself in a healthy way with meditation, walks and workouts and learning new things thru endorphin boosts that happen naturally. Plus water and reading and self care! I don't have children but my two fur babies (kitties) bring me lots of love and comfort. Xoxo.
And concerts are definitely the best reward!!! The BEST. ❤🙂👍 omgosh now I really can't wait! Seether and Shinedown for me!
I love your approach. I'm doing more of that healthy grieving now, too...I cut back drastically on drinking, which has been a very very very positive change. Now that I'm vaccinated, I rejoined a gym and am trying to go a couple days a week. The desire to numb the pain with chemicals is strong, and quickly becomes a slippery slope. I hate that you've had to endure such a painful loss and that destructive grief that comes with it. I'm grateful, though, that you were able to use that experience as a way to reframe how you deal with it this time around. I know your mom would be so proud of you. Your best friend would be, too 😭😭😭 (hugs)
I hadn't looked at it that way- that my best friend would be proud of me too. Thank you for helping me to realize that as well. *hugs right back!*
Becca, that is beautiful and so true of what it feels like after losing a parent. Thank you
Thank you. I'm sorry you understand the feeling, too 💔
Thank you Becca for sharing your language of grief... you spoke to my heart and the pain of losing my daughter just 14 months ago. Sometimes I'm gasping for air and it feels impossible to find it. Taking deep yoga breaths helps me find some air when I'm drowning in my grief.
Oh, Janet. My heart is with yours. As a mother, just reading that takes my own breath away. Keep taking those deep yoga breaths. One at a time. It's all that can be done some days, and that's okay. <3