sabato 2 giugno 2012

Right where I am project...On Year, Two months,One week and One day.

Last year I participated in this project started by Angie at Still life with circles.  This is what I wrote last year at two months one week and two days here.

This year I want to participate and by doing so it will be like auto telling myself how far I've come along in my grief.

So now it has been one year, two months and one week and one day.  Almost a year to the day that I wrote the same post last year.

This year has been EMPTY.... but FULL.  I know.... that's just another paradox that comes with grief.  Everything gets turned upside down and inside out.

Last year when I wrote this post I would never have thought that this year not only would I still be missing a daughter..... I'm now also missing a brother.  He died two months ago today.  My grieving process has somewhat confused itself.  I find myself thinking and missing Thea and John in the exact same second.

Do I cry still?..... yes I do.... not as much as I used to.... I can talk and I find people in front of me crying for what I say.... but I don't cry talking because even if I have that pain in my heart it sort of gets out with the words and not in tears.

I kept thinking about Thea's angelversary.  Well .... her short life was celebrated beautifully.  The whole day was dedicated to her.... just like when it's your birthday and people make you feel special..... well she was our very special memory that day. We made a little video of that special day.

Last year I wasn't going out at all.  I stayed in and only went shopping in a near by town.  I still go shopping in that same town because I still can't bring myself to go into the old supermarket I used to shop in.  I still can't go into certain shops either.  I started going out at around about the middle of September.  The first ever outing was to take Gero to his new school.  All of the mothers know me and knew about Thea.... no one said anything and everyone kept their distance.  Only a mother I knew came up to me and said that she was sorry she didn't come to see me and he was so sorry about what had happened.  I appreiciated her simple words.   From that day on I started back at work and going out is much easier.

People don't look at me with pity anymore.  They've forgotten all about my little Thea.  I don't know if that's something to be greatful for or not.

I have recently had blood tests done.  This revealed a very painful truth.  I had some results come back slightly altered.  The doctor had  reason to think that I may have lost Thea through trombophilia.  To think that I could have my little Thea in my arms just by having heparin shots!  Why oh why don't they do this blood work as routine?!!!  This "knowing"..... just renewed my pain....it reopened that wound made it as fresh as the first day.

I often think about the old me.  How much I laughed and made the stupidest jokes and comments.  I think about how I DIDN'T think about things enough.... and at the REAL importance of things.  I think about never being that old me again..... not even if I try really hard.  I will never return to be who I was.  I have said this a few times before.... but I will never get fed up of saying it:  I will never be my old self again.... and I don't WANT  to be the old me again..... becoming my oldself would mean not ever meeting my little angel Thea.  So I'm still getting to know the new me.
I don't think this grieving process will never actually end.  I will always miss Thea and I will always have an ache in my heart because she's not phisically here with us.  All I can do is take each day as it comes and take little steps forward towards getting to know the new me .....with my little angel by my side helping me up everytime I fall.



L'anno scorso ho participato al progetto iniziato da Angie a Still life with circles (il link è sopra).  L'anno scorso ho scritto questo:  (link sopra cliccando su "here".


Quest'anno voglio partecipare di nuovo e così facendo è come auto dicendomi quanto avanti sono arrivata nel mio viaggio del lutto.


Adesso è un anno, due mesi, una settimana e un giorno. Quasi un anno esatto da quando ho scritto il post l'anno scorso.


Quest'anno è stato VUOTO... ma PIENO!  Lo so.... questo è solo un'altro paradosso che accompagna il lutto.  Tutto è capovolto e raggirato.


L'anno scorso quando ho scritto questo post nn potevo mai credere che quest'anno nn solo non mi manca  mia figlia ma ..... mi manca anche un fratello.  E' morto due mesi fa oggi.  Il processo del lutto si è un po' confuso.  Mi ritrovo pensando e mancando Thea e John nello stesso esatto secondo.


Piango?  Sì piango.  Non come prima.  Posso parlare e trovare davanti a me persone che piangono mentre racconto ma io nn piango perchè mentre parlo e ho il dolore nel cuore è come se questo dolore esce con le parole invece che con le lacrime.


Prima pensavo spesso al compleangelo di Thea.  Beh,....la sua breve vita è stata celebrata in modo bellissimo.  L'intero giorno è stato dedicato a lei....proprio quando è il tuo compleanno e le persone ti fanno sentire speciale.... lei è stata il nostro ricordo speciale per tutta la giornata.  Abbiamo fatto un video di quel giorno speciale (il link del video di trova cliccando su video).


L'anno scorso nn uscivo proprio.  Stavo a casa e uscivo solo per andare a fare la spesa in un paese vicino.  Faccio la spesa ancora in un paese vicino perchè nn riesco ad andare nel vecchio supermercato.  Non riesco ancora ad entrare ancora in alcuni negozi.  Ho iniziato ad uscire verso la metà di settembre.  La prima volta che sono uscita era per portare Gero nella ua nuova scuola.  Tutte le mamme mi conoscevano e sapevano in Thea..... nessuno ha detto nulla e tutte si tenevano lontane.  Solo una mamma  è venuta vicino a me e mi ha detto che le dispiaceva per il fatto che nn è potuta venire a casa mia ed era dispiaciuta per quello che è successo.  Ho apprezzato le sue parole semplici.  Da quel giorno in poi ho iniziato di nuovo ad andare a lavorare e uscire è molto più facile.


La gente nn mi guarda più con pietà.  Hanno dimenticato tutto della mia piccola Thea.  Non so' se questo è qualcosa per la quale essere grata o no.


Ho recentemente fatto analisi del sangue.  Questo ha rivelato una verità dolorosa.  Alcuni risultati sono tornati alterati.  Una dottoressa pensa che ho perso Thea per la trombofilia. E pensare che potrei avere la mia piccola Thea tra le braccia facendo solo delle punture di eparina!  Perchè... o perchè nn fanno questi analisi come routine?!!!!  Questo "sapere" .... ha rinnovato il mio dolore.... ha riaperto la ferita facendola divetare fresco come il primo giorno.


Penso spesso alla vecchia me.  Come ridevo e facevo dei commenti e battute stupidissime.  penso a come NON pensavo abbastanza sulle cose.... e la VERA importanza delle cose.  Penso che nn posso ritornare ad essere la vecchia me..... anche se provassi con tutte le mie forze.  Non potrei mai ritornare quella di prima.  Lho detto un paio di volte prima... ma non mi stanchero' mai di dirlo.  Non saro' mai quella che ero ..... e non VOGLIO essere quella che ero.... ritornare quella che ero significherebbe nn aver incontrato il mio piccolo angioletto Thea.  Quindi sto ancora facendo conoscenza della nuova me.


Non penso che questo processo del lutto finira' mai.  A me manchera' sempre Thea e avro sempre in dolore nel mio cuore perchè nn è qui con noi fisicamente.  L'unica cosa che posso fare è prendere ogni giono come viene e prendere piccoli passi avanti e appronfondire la conoscenza della nuova me.... con il mio piccolo angioletto al mio fianco aiutandomi ogni volta che cado.




mercoledì 23 maggio 2012

Another Dream.... Un'altro sogno...

I nearly forgot about this dream.

I had it whilst I was in England.  That day I had gone to see John in the Funeral Home.  I needed to say goodbye to him.  I just wish someone would have told me how different he would have looked.

Anyway not seeing MY John....upset me more. I did think about it all that night and just before I went to bed.  I kept waking up.  But I must have slept a little bit because that's when I dreamt of THEA!

I dreamt that there was a village festival on.  I was pushing a buggie... and in that buggie there was Thea.  She wasn't alive.  I knew she wasn't and I kept propping her up when she slided down.  We (Giuseppe and I)..... stopped to have a cold drink at the bar.  The buggie was then on Giuseppe's side and he wasn't taking any notice of Thea.  I then saw that she had fallen on the floor.  I said "pick her up!!!"  I then picked her up off of the floor... I said to her " I know it didn't hurt you because your not alive.... but I'm ever so sorry about that".

She then opened her eyes.  I kept saying to Giuseppe.... "She's alive!!!!"  I got out a little bottle of milk and gave her her bottle.  She looked at me as she was drinking and I turned her round slightly so everyone could see her.

I woke up that night thanking John for having dreamt of Thea.  I've only dreamt of her Three times since she's gone.

I wish I could dream of her everynight so I could watch her grow.  Be with her during the night and with my boys during the day..... I'd dedicate the same amount of time to both earth and sky......

I'll keep wishing .....

Quasi dimenticavo questo sogno.


L'ho avuto mentre ero in Inghilterra.  Quel giorno ero andata a vedere John nella casa mortuaria.  Dovevo salutarlo.  Ora penso che avrei voluto che qualcuno mi avrebbe preparata perchè era diverso di com'era di solito.


Cmq non vedere il MIO John....mi ha intristita di più.  L'ho pensato tutta quella notte e anche prima di dormire.  Mi svegliavo spesso ma sicuramente avro' dormito un po' perchè è stato allora che ho sognato THEA!


Ho sognato che c'era una festa di paese.  Io stavo spingendo un passeggino..... in quel passeggino c'era Thea.  Non era viva.  Sapevo che nn lo era che continuavo ad aggiustarla perchè si spostava.  Ci siamo fermati (Giuseppe ed io) a prendere qualcosa di fresco al Bar.  Il passeggino era sul lato di Giueppe and non stava attento a Thea.  Poi ho visto che era caduta a terra.  Dicevo "prendila!!!"  L'ho presa da terra.... le ho detto "so che non ti sei fatta male perchè non sei in vita .... ma perdonami".


Ha poi aperto gli occhi.  Ripetevo a Giuseppe.... "E' VIVA!!".... Ho preso un biberon di latte e gliel'ho dato.  Mi guardava mentre beveva and l'ho girata poco poco così anche gli altri potevano vederla.  


Mi sono svegliata quella notte ringraziando John per avermi fatto sognare Thea.  L'ho sognata solo tre volte da quando è andata via.


Vorrei poterla sognare ogni notte così potrei vederla crecere.  Stare con lei durante la notte e con i miei ometti durante il giorno.... Dedicherei loro lo stesso tempo..... sia in terra che in cielo....


Continuero' a sperare.....

lunedì 14 maggio 2012

I don't want to have to lose them too....

Lately I have been having these really horrid feelings.  I'm so scared of losing Luca and Gero too.

There is no real reason why I should do.  It's quite silly really.  

Luca has had bags under his eyes.  It's probably lack of sleep or maybe he just needs a little more iron in his diet.  The thing is I keep thinking...... what if I don't give it the right importance and something does happen?

Today I took Gero to football pratice and watched him while he played and kept thinking.  What if he isn't fit enough to play and has something wrong with him that I don't know about?  What if he falls down and dies whilst playing?

I try to push all of these thoughts out of my head...... saying to myself "GOD YOU ARE SO STUPID"

Maybe I think I'm ok..... and think I'm doing good with the greiving process but I'm just kidding myself.
Maybe thinking that Thea was ok and had her heartbeating one minute and stopped the next is playing with my feelings and trying to mess with my head.
Maybe I took too much for granted and someone up there is ring a little bell in my ear and telling me to be care.

Why is everything SO confusing and SO hard?!!!


domenica 13 maggio 2012

Mother's day. Festa della mamma....

My second Mother's day without Thea.

Here is what my boys did at school:


They are both diploma's for the best mummy in the world.  Funny how they both did the exact same thing but they are in two different schools.  One goes to preschool the other is in third year of primary school.

Calogero did this at school too....



Well he didn't actually do anything except cut it out.  He then learnt the poem.

Dear mummy,
you are as elegant as a butterfly
you're as sweet as a cake
you are really the most beautiful mother!
I love you!

I want to share a video with you too.  It's a Ciaolapo Onlus association video for mother's day.  

I get so emotional eveytime I see one of these video's


Festa della mamma 2012




How many children do I have?

More than those that you can see.

Each one in his own place.

One is in a candle light...

or in a field of dandelions...

sometimes they become butterflies

or they play with the wind

I have a son that is hidden forever

he has made his crib in my heart

I have one up there on the moon

My falling star in the sky

His name is an eco of Love

sometimes he swims through my tears

I want him here with me

But if I search well ... he's there

He's a star, a butterfly and an angel.

There are children everywhere
even though you can't see them

They live in someones eyes
they rest in the hearts
of their mothers.

Today is mothers day for these mothers.

Mother to:  (all the names)

Here are our children.... everywhere

can you fell their love?

Special mothers are mothers that are slightly different from others,
because their children are everywhere:
Sometimes they arrive after a long journey
sometimes they are all far away
This day is for all mothers
for families that are divided between
sky and earth
it's for all the special brothers and sisters
that warm our arms
Thank you for being here!






sabato 12 maggio 2012

I am....

The new Still Standing Magazine for bereaved parents has a new post.  It's title is :  Who am I?  A link on Facebook from Rest in Hope has answered the question.

I'll try to too:

I am a mother to two little boys here on earth that have always meant the world to me but only now do I really realise that they are miracles of nature.

I am a mother to a little girl in heaven who was part of me for 8 months and continues to be part of me and will be part of me for the rest of my life.

I am trying to pick up the pieces even though a very important piece wil always be missing.

I am Still Standing.... you are all helping me even though you don't know it.


giovedì 26 aprile 2012

I'm back.

You probably didn't even realise I was gone.  (I don't write much anyway ;) ).

In my absence..... in these weeks.... I went to England.... I kissed my brother "ARRIVEDERCI" (till I see you again).... and we buried him with his mother.  

So here I am.... short of a brother .... or maybe just slightly more richer as he now lives in my heart.

Seeing him ..... still....not a smile... not a hug.... not hearing his laughter and seeing his big eyes looking at me was totally UNREAL.  He had his Italian football shirt on.  We put his favorite football scalves in his coffin with him.  

I put a little rosary in his hands.  It was kissed by all of us.   Two very close BLM's also wanted me to hold it tight for them.... and that will forever remain with him in eternity.

On the day of his funeral.... there were SO many people there.  This only confirmed what we thought of him. He was thoughtful, kind and loving.... and surely others thought that too.... or they would never had attended his funeral.  

That whole day I kept looking at the front door thinking that he'd be walking through the door aksing what was going on.  

I know he's gone.... and I miss him terribly.....but then I hear this little voice inside my head...HIS voice.... saying "OH MRIA!  Yeah.... never MARIA.... MRIA!  Don't be silly.... I'm not gone... I'm here!  I'm always with you when you want me."  Today I heard him say.... "Thea's beautiful.  She's got beautiful wings.... she flies everywhere because she can't walk yet".  I know.... I'm going mad!  But I quite like this madness.  




martedì 3 aprile 2012

Gone from our home but never from our hearts

HO telefonato a mio papà ieri  alle 20.30.  Non ha risposto.  dopo circa 15 min mi ha telefonata e ha detto " quando il telefono ha squillato ed eri tu.... in quel momento John ha spirato"  Sono lontana ma lì con il mio cuore.  Mi manchi fratello maggiore John and per sempre mi mancherai.


I phoned my dad yesterday at 20.30. He didnt answer. After about 15 mins he rang and said 'when the phone rang and it was you ... That was when John took his last breath. I was far away but there with my heart. Miss you big brother John and always will