Friday, October 29, 2010

Reactions

Reactions-we all have them. Reactions to people, circumstances, or something that just really sets us off. We are all different so we all react in our own unique way. We even get demanding about needing space while we react. We spend time thinking of excuses for ourselves, or try to explain our way out of our own human-ness.

A few weeks ago in this house we all had our own reactions. The tombstone made its arrival by way of Merlin's truck. Marlea and Anna thought it was great to go with Daddy to pick up Kira's tombstone. I grimaced and my stomach turned at the thought of it being great to go pick up your sister's tombstone. I reacted by living out my sullen angry feelings. They were excited and proud of it-I was not. They tried to persuade me to go out and look at it in the truck-I did not want to see it in Merlin's truck. To me, the taste of death stinks and that is what the tombstone felt to me that day. Later Merlin took it to the graveyard and laid it on the grave because he didn't have the correct material to put it in place. Finally on Sunday after church I could no longer deny that it belongs to me. I went and looked at it-sullenly of course. I found Marlea lying on the stone with a smile on her face-I took only one glance and muttered that it's nice. Merlin was very gracious to me, giving me the space I needed to react to my feelings. He designed the tombstone himself so it would have been nice to be receiving compliments instead of grimaces from his wife. He too was having his own reactions only being a man it was the thing to do to put up the tombstone. Marlea kept asking me if I like it. "Yes", I replied, just not there! More like I wanted to yell "I hate it!" It could have been the most unique tombstone available on the face of the earth and I would still be grimacing and mad.

So I left and my family followed me to the van. I managed to tell Merlin that it is very nice. Anna had her own two year old reaction by screaming life-threatening screams as we drove down the road. To her the tombstone was part of our family, something we should take along - not leave in the graveyard. Why would we leave it in the graveyard after picking it up in Daddy's truck? She wanted to bring it home to our house. When we arrived home I was thinking on these things when Marlea came into the kitchen carrying her beloved "Bowl Hat". I was sure she was going to say that she is going to use it again. Like I had written two months ago, it was under the bed. She handed it to me. "I don't need this anymore" she said. Words were trying to come out of my gaping mouth as I stared at her. Alas I had no words for such a change. I had not expected to ever receive that bowl back. And here she was giving it to me after lying in the graveyard with her head on her deceased sister's tombstone. I took it, but was totally confused by the series of events. So that was the last thing for her - putting the tombstone over Kira's grave? To me the action brought reactions - nasty, ugly, sullen, angry ones. To my daughter it brought closure, peace, and acceptance. I felt slapped in the face.

So I thought about it, tried to talk about it with my friends, let myself be angry again. My mind played the "what if" games again as I struggled with God about giving back my daughter before I thought it was time. In the end I decided to accept the tombstone. After all, if I didn't I would have to face my daughters questions and probes for the next fifty years. Maybe acceptance was the easy way out but it surely does brings more peace. The next Sunday I went to the graveyard again. Two of my friends went with me along with a bunch of Marlea's and Anna's friends. This time it was set upright in place and Marlea was riding it full of grins. It was easier this time and we all shed some tears. It makes it easier to accept when I realize that it is not only painful for me to look at it, but also for others. As I gazed at it I realized that it is a really nice tombstone. It has her picture engraved, the Jesus "Rock of Ages" symbol from the picture on her blog, and her name. As I stared at it I also realized that we had forgotten to put daughter of on. But I don't really care. At least my name isn't there with hers. Somehow it eased the pain and I breathed a sigh of relief. The next Sunday I went again. Now it's less bitter. I feel okay about it. I still can't say that I like it, but I do say it's a nice tombstone if there ever was such a thing.

I seem to have had numerous other reactions. Anna is growing and is now two and a half. She and Marlea are starting to actually play things that make sense together. Once again I hear little feet trotting after each other, someone hollering "Mia", and a little voice singing God is Great at the table before meals. It's nice but I find myself being afraid of it. It reminds me too much of "how it used to be." I attempt to face the fear and remind myself that it's not a valid fear. The actual fear is simply the fear of Anna also being taken to heaven. I need not fear it because God is in control. If I really trust Him like I say I do then it should not be a fear. But alas, I am human. My fear does not keep me from enjoying her antics and play. I smile and thank God for the healing that we have experienced. Even if it means not thinking about the "hole" so much. I thank God also for Anna's vast vocabulary and how that makes it so much easier for her and Marlea to play and communicate.

I am also reacting to upcoming changes in our family. Baby four is due in several days. Changes - good ones but it makes me miss the "Sunshine" girl who played such a vital part in our family. I realize that she would be helping me a lot with the baby especially when Marlea is at school. She would also be playing with Anna. Instead Anna is making baby noises and screams in preparation for baby four's arrival. A few days ago I decided that there is no other way to make room for baby four without putting some of Kira's clothes away. It was terribly hard to do, and still feels like betrayal almost two years later. Memories are still fresh in my mind. Anna reacted by standing in a corner and screaming. She made big bold statements like "Kira doesn't need this anymore because she is up in heaven". Or-"Kira won't mind if I wear this because she is in heaven". It added to my pain but the bluntness and truth she spoke also helped me keep in focus that it is simply the truth. Some of her clothes fit Anna so I didn't need to put them all away. I freely admit that there are some clothes in Anna's drawer that are quite oversized for her little self. Until Anna grows into them, they still belong to Kira.

Pray for us in the changes that are coming. Pray that we will enjoy and embrace now and it's joy fully. It seems possible for this baby to bring more healing for all of us. Our God is mysterious!

Marylu and Merlin, Marlea, and Anna

17 comments:

  1. *tears*
    i stopped by and saw Kira's stone a week or so ago. if tombstones can be lovely - it was. \
    so simple yet stunning. i missed her the other day when Anna was screaming in the yard and Marlea was chasing her.
    You are an amazing mother and i can't wait to meet baby 4

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  2. Your reactions speak for me. I love you all and wish I could be there to greet baby four. Praying always!
    Love,
    Rhonda

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  3. Dearest Marylou,
    So glad to hear from you again. Wondering if you've finished your November task... Praying for you and continued healing. So glad for growth. My husband and son in law were also the ones intent on the grave stones for us. We think maybe its there way of taking care of there child.

    Hope to see you soon! 30th Anniversary is here.

    Debbie

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  4. Came across this blog after getting a business card from Kings in Ronks today. Your baby Kira and your thoughts have truely touched me! Thank you for giving me many things to reflect on in my own life.
    May God bless you and your family, and continue to bring you peace.

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  5. I went over to see Kira's stone before we left church today. It made me sad to look at it, but it is beautiful.

    I do pray that with the new baby comes more healing. And I pray that everything goes well for you and you will soon be on the other side holding your sweet new one!

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  6. Oh MaryLou ~ you have been on my mind and in my heart...I too have just chosen a stone for my mom.. so final, & so personal, our chosen design was so 'mom'..
    I think it is so wonderful for your husband to have designed it.. it is his way to heal also..
    So happy to hear about baby #4. A wonderful little child, I am sure..
    peace and prayers to you and your husband and little girls..
    Linda Devlin

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  7. I cried as I read your post. And the other sunday when we were at mine Rd it was so good to see you again. As we were leaving I saw Marlea sitting on Kira's stone. I waved and said Hi. She responed "hi Hilda" in a very cheerful voice. Oh I love that girl. And the rest of you. Blessings on the arrival of baby. :) And once again... thanks for your honesty. Love, Hilda

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  8. May God Bless you and Keep you all in His Divine Care always. May you find peace and contentment in the truth and in knowing that in God's care you are always safe and protected. My love and prayers to you all.
    I honor your request for prayers for the changes in your life.
    L & L,
    Lorraine V.

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  9. Its time for another posting to share the news!!!!

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  10. Truly a touching post as always. Sharing your heart & thoughts with others is not always an easy thing to do, but you do so humanly, honestly, and beautifully! I'm continuing to keep you and the family in my prayers, and I wish you much happiness and blessings on your new baby!!!

    Hugz,
    Lisa Ann DiNunzio
    New Jersey

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  11. I don't know you. I just stumbled on your blog, and I'm praying for you. God bless.

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  12. I, too, just hit "next blog" and it was your blog about Kira and your Family. I am sad reading it because I am touched by your loss and there is really nothing more to say than what you've already heard or already know. That God never gives us more than we can bear. And you have endured. I wish only the best for you and your family, your new baby. That God will continue to bless you greatly.

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  13. Merry Christmas, Marylu and family. I can hardly wait to hear your baby news. I trust all is going well.

    S. Rodes

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  14. So many congratulations, MaryLu and Merlin on the birth of your beautiful son..
    You and your husband and girls have been in my prayer!
    Your card was beautiful and brought happy tears to my eyes!
    I am so happy for you at this wonderful time!
    God Bless you all,
    Linda Devlin

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  15. What a beautiful family, God has so richly blessed you and we praise Him for His tender Mercy for you. We pray for you and thank God for the healing that He is doing in your
    lives.

    Lillie Mae Eismeier

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  16. Beautiful post, and so very true. It is very hard to lose someone you love, but it is something we all must face.
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