A Roller Coaster Week

I expected it to be an emotional week.
My mother left after a 10 day visit. Youngest son had diploma exams (and boy did the stress level go through the roof). Eldest son celebrated his 20th birthday.

But the kick in the teeth has been the death of one of the boys' cousins in a vehicle accident. She was on her way to a get-together after being at the dentist when she rolled her vehicle. She was NOT wearing her seatbelt and was thrown from the vehicle.

For the boys it has been hard because this is the first death of a family member of their age (she was the same age as youngest son). My eldest has been struggling with his grief. He is a deep thinker and this has brought up feelings and fears he is working through. It will be hard for him, his birthday has now become the anniversary of his cousin's death. My youngest seems to be handling it. He is worried about everyone else right now. I have a feeling it will be later that he will want to talk about it.

The funeral will be in her home town near Edmonton and I have given the boys the choice of attending or not. This will not be the first funeral they have attended so they know what to expect. It makes me sad to think that the boys have experienced more funerals than weddings and births.

Having a large extended family has advantages in cases like this. Memories to share, comfort to give and accept are all part of the grieving process. Emotional support is readily available as well as distractions from your grief. Sometimes a look is all you need to know you are not alone.

It will be a while before things return to normal.