I think about what happened on 22/12/07 often. I thought I have accepted my loss but I haven't. I am still in denial and at times, I feel so angry for what happened. I keep telling myself if only I spent more time with her or if only there were signs that she was leaving us, I would have stopped her from going - which was, of course, impossible. Then, I went into depression - didn't feel like talking to or seeing anyone -- sometimes I still feel that way. Those are what Kubler-Ross discovered - stages of grief. For me, personally, I don't see it as stages... more of a cycle of grief.
I have surfed on grieving and as everyone has told me - there are 5 stages of grief:
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- Acceptance
How long will it take to get through all these stages? It depends on the individual but I can tell you that I am not anywhere near the 5th cause I keep going in circles!
Honestly, I'm really messed up. I'm in between denial and anger. I have bargained but what's the point of it? I bargained that if I was a lot better in every way that I was - I would have not lost my mother but that didn't make sense to me. Then I told myself - I should change myself to be an even better person so that I won't lose anyone else in the future - but death is not in my hands (unless I ended up being a serial killer -- okay, not funny). I don't think I am ready for whatever that may come so that means I am far from acceptance stage.
When I bring up my mother - some feel offended by it. Why? People grief in different ways. Some go for retail therapy, cry over and over again or some have sex. Really! As for me, it helps me to reach out for support from others. I find comfort in talking about my late mother - the memories I have of her. I tried almost everything from talking about her to keeping myself busy but I still feel greatly about my loss. So yes, it takes time but some people around me just don't get that. They don't get that I am not over it -- it is something I will never get over. It doesn't get easier! It is hard for me.
I mean... come on, how am I going to get through Ramadhan without her? How am I going to get through our birthdays?! Yes, I still have my father, siblings, BF and friends but it isn't the same because I share my birthday with her. Okay, not the same day but a day apart is hard enough already!
There was a time when I didn't want to talk about my late mother at all but that made me even more sad than better. Yes, I thought it would make feel better by not talking about her - oh boy! Was I wrong!!
With her gone, I feel cheated out of time. What will happen to all the things we planned to do together? It wouldn't be the same doing them with someone else. People will say "Oh please, it will be the same" -- you have no idea what you're talking about! It WILL NOT be the same.
Now I am getting angry and upset. It's just not fair!!! I see people out there who do not take good care of their parents but their parents are still around and still love their ungrateful children - yes I know what I am talking about here!
I need therapy!