Grief, Time, and Speaking Up

Dear Henry,

Today has been a whirlwind of emotions as I think of your late Great Grammy. I’ve tried writing this post about a dozen times today and each time it was tougher and tougher to do.

Each night and apart of my routine, I talk to you about a theme or person, a historical moment in time, sometimes read a book. Knowing that this subject matter doesn’t hold with you now, I do it to get ready to have these conversations with you when you are older and it’s a way to help get you familiarized with my voice.

My topic and advice for you of the week is grief, time, and speaking up.

Grief is so delicately complex and sometimes unconsciously unmanageable to our mind but it is so necessary for us to have when coping with any trauma or experiences we have gone through.

Tying this into your great grandmother, over the past couple of years I have misplaced subconsciously all of my thoughts and memories of her. Is it regret? Is it anger? Denial or grief? I don’t know and I hope to figure it out with the help of my therapist.

Henry, my advice for you, is to be there with all of your family as much as you can. Be present, be in the moment, but make sure to take pictures and videos because if you are anything like me you’ll want them someday. To cherish and to remember. I know I need to do better of this.

I believe that an aspect of good parenting is to listen. I will strive to give you the platform you need in order to feel comfortable and heard. Asking for help or advice is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.

I love you buddy and less than 19 days you’ll be here!

P.S, Grammy, I love you ❤️

Love Always,

Dad