Grief Nudges

By Darcy Thiel

I’m no stranger to grief, but I still get caught off guard when a wave hits me unexpectedly. I should expect the unexpected, but then, that’s an oxymoron, isn’t it?

Just a couple of those moments this week. When they are wrapped in positive things, I am reminded of the bittersweet nature of life. Where you find the sweet, there is also bitter and vice versa.

I have been in meeting after meeting via the phone and computer this week. (It’s a good thing they are scheduled that way because I have been snowed in!) I am thrilled to part of a statewide group that is seeking to make medical changes for the better. It’s intimidating to be chatting with some of the state’s top dogs in the field, but I’m honored.

After one such meeting where I had to briefly describe what happened with Dad, I hung up and went to find my boyfriend Tim. Before I knew it, I was crying again about feeling like I let Dad down because I couldn’t get people to do what they were supposed to do. Tim was his usual awesome self. I do know deep down that other people’s behavior is not my fault, but I just hate how everything went down for Dad when he deserved the best ending a person could have.

Bottom line, I miss my dad. A lot.

A couple of days later, Tim and I were at Dad’s trailer packing things up and preparing it for going on the market. That’s a positive, exciting step for us. We got to the recliner in the living room, which Tim inherited after Dad died. It took less than five seconds for me to start crying. Dad spent most of his time in that chair. It was his favorite spot. “That chair isn’t getting sold or donated,” Tim said, “it is going in the cabin we are hoping to build soon.” I felt much better after that.

Bottom line, I miss my dad. A lot. So there are going to be reminders, everywhere. Expected and unexpected. It’s all part of the grief process.