The photo on the left was taken on Easter Sunday 2007. The photo on the right was taken just 4 months later in August 2007.
That year 15 years ago changed the course of my life.
15 years ago today, Friday April 13, 2007, I left work around 10:30 AM with a severe headache. I remember driving down 7 a street… the next thing I remember was waking up 6 days later in a hospital bed dazed, confused, and obviously not the same.
After an unknown amount of gran mal seizures, a minor accident, a near death medical incident requiring emergency surgery, and an induced coma…. Life wasn’t going to be the same (and that was just 6 days!)
Some may wonder why I still dwell on this event like I do. I don’t. It took me a while to figure out why it’s so hard, but I don’t question why it’s difficult to let go of it anymore. It’s grief. Grief for the life I once had, and grief for the dreams that would never be.
I’ve now spent 1/3 of my life in the aftermath of that day or rather… series of events and long hospital stay (almost 3 months). I still don’t think my actual age has caught up to the aging my body did in that time. I’ve felt old for years, and 30 was too young to feel that old. .
I can’t turn back the time to when things were “normal “ but I can be thankful for all the time I’ve been given.
Many ask when grief ends. It doesn’t. It continues to stay with us, but I make the choice to not let it control my life.
Never waste a moment of time. You never know what the next minute holds.
I think, however, that your discussion of grief is spot on. Many people do not realize that grief refers to more than physical death. I think more people would be able to understand themselves and others better if we all realized how wide a net grief can cast.
@DrWatson Thank you. It took a while to really get that concept. Once I did, it was so much easier to process. The little bit of detail in this post doesn’t really encompass all that really happened and the lasting aftermath. Grief is about loss. It doesn’t have to be the loss of life.
I'm so sorry you had to go through that. It's crazy how quickly everything can turn upside down.
I tried to kill myself once by driving into a wall at a high speed. I still don't know why I deserved to walk away from that, while people who don't deserve it have to go through stuff like what you did. Life's messed up
Thanks for sharing this. I admire the courage it takes to share your thoughts and I admire your resilience. Best to you as you continue your journey. Be well
Man been there . I am not sure if I did technically die but that was about 6/7 years ago and dam I took so much for granted . Now I feel older than old , have mobility issues a zero life expectancy and rattle like a pill bottle from all the meds keeping me alive and in constant pain , its no joke wouldnt wish it on anyone . What I would give to be fit and back working .
