People we love can, and do, die. The scenarios can be diverse depending on our relationship to the loved one (parent, partner, child) and the the cause of death (accident, disease, violence).
While each scenario has it's own dynamics, grief is grief.
We have a remarkable circle of supporters who have helped us shoulder the weight of Natasha's life with cancer, and her departure from this world. When we first read the poem, we immediately related to it. We recognize that people in our circle get it.
This came to us from grieving parents we don't know, through a mutual friend. We share it with you now, for those of you who grieve and for those of you who know someone grieving.
Please See Me Through My Tears
You asked, “How am I doing?”
As I told you, tears came to my eyes …
and you looked away and quickly began to talk again.
All the attention you had given me drained away.
“How am I doing?” … I do better when people listen, though I may shed a tear or two. This pain is indescribable.
If you’ve never known it, you cannot fully understand.
Yet, I need you.
When you look away,
When I’m ignored,
I am again alone with it …
Your attention means more than you can ever know.
Really, tears are not a bad sign, you know!
They’re nature’s way of helping me to heal …
They relieve some of the stress of sadness.
I know you fear that asking how I’m doing brings me sadness … but you’re wrong.
The memory of my loved one’s death will always be with me, only a thought away.
My tears make my pain more visible to you, but you did not give me the pain … it was already there.
When I cry, could it be that you feel helpless, not knowing what to do?
You are not helpless, and you don’t need to do a thing but be there.
When I feel your permission to allow my tears to flow, you’ve helped me.
You need not speak.
Your silence as I cry is all I need.
Listening with you heart to “how am I doing” relieves the pain for when the tears can freely come and go, I feel lighter.
Talking to you releases what I’ve been wanting to say aloud, clearing space for a touch of joy in my life.
I’ll cry for a minute or two …
and then I’ll wipe my eyes,
and sometimes you’ll even find I’m laughing later.
When I hold back the tears, my throat grows tight,
my chest aches, my stomach knots …
because I’m trying to protect you from my tears,
Then we both hurt …
Me – because my pain is held inside, a shield against our closeness …
And you – because suddenly we’re distant.
So please, take my hand and see me through my tears …
then we can be close again. Please See Me Through My Tears.
Kelly Osmont