Learning to Cope
Loss. We never know when it's going to greet us.
Having just turned 35, I have lately been keenly aware of the passage of time. On my birthday, I found myself crying to my mom at the thought of my parents passing away. Then about two weeks later, at the age of 78, my father died.
He collapsed of a heart attack while doing his favorite thing in the whole world: playing softball. He went three hits for three that day. I believe his last moments of life were wonderful, as he was surrounded by all of his friends. He passed his love of softball on to me; I have been playing most of my life.
So how do I keep working and going to school when I can't stop crying and can barely function? I couldn't have done it without the help of my friends. My classmates and teachers have made it possible for me to put one foot in front of the other and keep my chin up during this terrible time. One of my teachers has even gone so far as to call me at home to check on me several times. I truly couldn't ask for more.
I am so grateful to be in this program right now, because I would be lost without the support of my classmates and professors. I would never have known a year ago when school began that I would feel this way or need these people so much. Also, thank you to everyone who reads this blog. I appreciate your support as well and look forward to hearing from you each week.
There's one thing I know for sure now: Life has a crazy way of taking care of us when we aren't even looking.