It’s late at night and I have just gotten out of bed. It’s no use; I just lay there waiting for sleep to come.
There is an open bottle of red wine downstairs. I go to it, pour myself a glass, and retreat to the family room.
The family room is the room that Tom and I set up for our little retreat. Equipped with a tall bookcase of our favorite books, the stereo, and the fireplace, the family room was the perfect hangout. It was the room that housed our Christmas Tree, where we entertained guests that came to visit, and where Tom spent his last weeks. It was the room were he took his last breath.
I find a CD of Tom’s to keep me company and log on to the computer that now occupies the room. In my email there sits a few more emails waiting from the grief group. My guess is that they are all from someone who also can not sleep.
As I read the messages, I quickly lose interest. They are mostly on the topic of future relationships. I feel all the more alienated from these people than before, wondering how they can consider dating again so soon. I try not to be judgemental but, the truth is, I am.
There is no use in pretending that I don’t preconceived ideas about the proper amount of time for things. Some things just need the proper amount of time for healing to take place. Take childbirth for example. I believe that a woman’s body needs at least a year to completely heal and restore its equilibrium. So when the mothers in BoBo’s play group were pregnant before their babes could walk, I was appalled. But that’s just me.
The wine is now kicking in. My head is light and drizzly. I am confident that sleep will come tonight – eventually. In the meantime, you have a post to read that has no point what so ever.
When I do finally sleep I hope that I will see Tom again. I can always hope for that. It makes going to sleep a little easier.
When Tom and I were first dating we used to plan to meet on the astral (in our dreams). Those were the times when he used to read Winnie the Pooh stories to DD (and to me). We would make a date to all meet in the Hundred Acre Woods during the night. In the morning we would wake and compare notes. It was amazing to discover similarities within each of our dreams. I wonder if the dead can visit the astral.
Well, Bob is singing “Froggie Went A-Courtin'” and I sing along. Smiling, I think of how proud Tom was that Bob DD chose to record one of the songs that his Mom had sung to him as a child. I will sip the final bit of my wine, let the song finish, then head off to bed. Good night.
Wes says
Sweet dreams, Juls… Not judgmental, just a realization of what is right for you.
backofpack58@yahoo.com says
Now you have me smiling…one of my all time favorite songs is “House on Pooh Corner” by Loggins & Messina. My boys loved Winnie the Pooh, and the Disney Pooh movies were a favorite.
I hope you find Tom in your dreams every night.
Mom is on Decaf Now says
I hope it was a good sleep.
21stCenturyMom says
Your posts are never pointless. They are personal and revealing and touching.
I hope you and Tom find each other in your dreams.
Ironayla says
Your posts ring home as watched what my husband went through when his died a year ago. They were very close.
Take as much time as you need.
Tea says
My hope for those in your group is that they are truly ready and not trying to fill a hole. It’s better to heal first.
You’ll know when you’re ready. In the meantime, keep those astral dates going.
bex says
Very poignant post. It’s very evident how much you and Tom loved each other.
jeanne says
what you think is pointless i see as riveting writing. meeting on the astral… very cool.
Juls says
Meeting or not…I cannot remember my dreams unless it is the moment that the dog is waking me to be let out. I promptly forget them again in the rush to get back to sleep. So far, I don’t recall any trips to the 100 Acre Woods.