There’s grief in the air. Two emails in two days from two different people talking about grief. The first bit I want to share is a comment I wrote to Anonymous. It is in response to a comment she posted on yesterday’s post, and i figured i’d copy part of my text here, cuz comments have a way of disappearing.
So first here’s me, this is part of what I wrote to Anonymous (who is 8ish months sober):
I think grief is a big stress, and it’s subtle. Like, there’s lots of crying to start, and then there’s none, and then later there’s ‘crying for no reason’. I once read that colds were uncried tears. and while I don’t believe that, every time I’m crying I think “at least I’m not getting sick.” and really, I’m a crier, barely need an excuse! I think that crying is fine. normal. good even. and wanting to drink to hide from crying or to hide from feelings is … well, it’s normal, because it’s what we USED to do. and some of those habits and patterns are still there. Maybe they’re hidden better after 8 months, but if you throw in a bit of grief or real distress, then the old patterns can easily surface.
Had a difficult day yesterday and wanted to drink all afternoon. I’m again adding to our list of “even ifs….”: [I will not drink even if i am] dealing with finding an elderly neighbor who died two days ago, alone in his house. So sad, brought up feelings of loss, grief, loneliness, finality, fragility of life … I just wanted to drink after dealing with the surprisingly detailed process of sending him off. But, I didn’t drink — I just sat here and felt it all, knowing the numbness of the bottle would only be temporary relief. I also knew I didn’t want to report in this morning with another day 1 … so thanks for that.
I think that J’s solution, as she articulates it here, is really very perfect. And I’m going to save her advice for when I need it next. Sit and feel it. Know that numbness would only be temporary, and would in all likelihood make things much much worse. Feelings are sometimes uncomfortable, they’re sad, they’re weird, they’re distressing. Sit and feel it.