Sometimes I look at my previous posting titles and I wonder if I intended to write an entirely different theme, but somehow got distracted between the title and the body. Wow.
Last night I went over to my MIL's house, where her brother had driven all the way from California to see her. She is doing so well after her mastectomy, and its always such a pleasure to be around her. Plus LB just eats up the adoration. We exchanged gifts, since I won't be around the baby daddy side of the family this year.
This made me sad for some reason. I really don't WANT to be around He-who-shall-not-be-named in the current situation at all, but I love his family dearly. The last two Christmases we have driven the hellish 15 hour drive to Long Beach, CA to see LB's Auntie. The first time I was 6 months pregnant, the second time, LB was 6 months old.
Part of me had begun to settle into a family tradition, and begun to look forward to it. This year everything is different, and there will be no jaunt to California by the three of us. There is no "three of us" anymore, really. Its LB and Me, and HIM.
Last night when her daddy finally showed up at his mom's house at 8:40 pm, I had given up on seeing him and was about to walk out the door. So there is a time period of 15 minutes where he clutches LB to his chest and hugs her before saying goodbye for Christmas. She cried and cried when we left, and after she had fallen asleep in the car, I cried.
I shouldn't have to rip my child away from her dad after only 15 minutes. I shouldn't have to miss being with a family that I have grown to love. I shouldn't have to feel guilty that I didn't try hard enough to keep us together as a family. But it doesn't matter. I do feel guilty and sad, and I DO have to make these choices that I hate to make.
As I was walking up the stairs to my apartment, a guy who looked 20-something pulled up in a Bronco. He said hi, and I greeted him. He works up at Purgatory and had just gotten off work. He lives about 3 doors down from me, so its nice to know a neighbor. As I was opening my door, he turns to me and asks
"Are you able to give the baby a Christmas this year?"
I was shocked. I just nodded. He said if I ever needed anything, I should just knock on his door.
I thanked him and went inside. I put my sleeping child to bed, and cried and cried and cried.
I can't really pin point the reason. I could be crying from the kindness of my neighbor. I could be crying because I have never been asked that question and I look like a person who needs help now. Or maybe its because of the horrible car wreck that happened this week, where a 25 year old father-to-be was killed, driving to work from Bayfield. Or maybe I'm crying because I'm lonely, and I don't want my daughter to be unhappy. Sometimes I'm afraid I've create a life for her that is going to be filled with more hardships than most kids have to face.
Whatever the reason, I feel blue today. I know I should be wallowing in the Christmas Spirit, but its hard right now.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Holiday Blues
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5 comments:
Of course it's hard. When dreams are lost it takes more time than you've had pass before your heart doesn't break every time you're reminded of it.
Time, my friend. Give it to yourself.
I'm sorry you're so blue, I actually started crying reading your blog. I'm so sorry your heart is broken and hotprofessional is right, what you need is time. You are a great mom and you DO give LB a great life; you show her so much love that she'll never doubt. I can't even imagine what you're going through, but know if you ever need to talk or cry that I'm here for you. Love you lots =)
I am so sorry to hear you have been feeling down lately. Just remember that it will get better very soon, and that you always will be surrounded by friends and family who love you and LB! We are always here for you! Remember that! I wish I could be there to hug you and make you feel better!!! Love you both! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
I have to tell you, I thought of you today, even though you and I have never even met. Utah and I are splitsville, and when I woke up this morning, on the couch in our house, I felt so miserable and alone. At some point this morning I thought about you, choosing to raise a baby on your own because you know the attention and love you can give her are better than whatever semblance of "normal" you might have had with the dad. It was comforting to me, thinking that even though I am heartbroken to be leaving him, I know it's what I have to do. We might not know each other from Eve on the street, but I think you are inspirational and courageous. Cry all you want, but remember that a total stranger admires you.
Not only do strangers admire you, but those of us who have known you forever are awestruck at what a strong and courageous woman and a wonderful mother you've become (even though we always knew you could handle anything). I can't imagine the pain you are going through, but time will help. You and LB are stuck with all of us excel-lent crazies and we will do anything we can to make sure you both know you are loved.
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