Friday, September 6, 2013

The Post I Didn't Think I'd Have to Write


I've been going back and forth on how I would approach this on my blog, or if I would at all. Despite having a (mildly) successful blog and a really big mouth, I consider myself somewhat of a private person. I don't like talking about things that are sad, or things that are traumatic. I'm not one of those people that posts tributes on all the social networks when something bad happens. I usually lay low. But everyone on here has been so wonderful and supportive and kind the last few months, I knew I had to say something on here. My grandpa passed away on Wednesday.

Typing it feels very weird and foreign and surreal. I'm sad, obviously. Incredibly sad. But I don't feel like "sad" really encapsulates how I feel.

I'm not a stranger to grief. Three years ago, my grandmother died from endometrial cancer. Her battle was quick - she was fine at my college graduation in May and in August, she died. When she died, I was absolutely devastated - I had never considered the fact that I could live in a world where she wasn't always around, where would never meet my husband or my children. It's naive when I think about it now, because even if she was still alive, she wouldn't have the role in my kids lives that she had in mine. But it was the first time I had ever dealt with a real tragedy in my life, so I was shocked, and heartbroken. In a way, I still am.

It's different now. Not because I was closer to my grandmother than I was to my grandpa. It's different, sure, but we were still close. I don't really know how to describe it.

I'm definitely sad. I'm sad that he won't be at my wedding. I'm sad he won't get to meet my kids. I'm sad we won't have Christmas the way we used to. I'm sad for my mom, who's lost both of her parents just three years apart. I'm sad for my cousins, who are 12 and 15, because I know that they're struggling even more than me.

I feel guilty. I feel like I've been living two separate lives - one where I'm dealing with the sickness (and subsequent death) of a family member, and one where I'm finally living with Garrett and everything is amazing. It's a weird dichotomy.

I'm angry. And bitter. I'm angry that cancer is still a thing that exists. I'm angry that two of the kindest, most amazing people I've ever met had to deal with such an ugly, horrible disease. I'm angry that the burden of cancer was placed onto my family, not once, but twice.

I'm anxious. I don't know what's going to happen to my family. I don't know what the future will hold or how things will play out. The road that we've traveled together so far has been extremely difficult, and I have a feeling that things aren't going to get easier any time soon.

I know all of these things are natural and normal and all part of the grief process. I'm dealing. We all are. But damn, it is rough around here. Thanks to all of you for being so amazing and wonderful and supportive. I love you all, and I'm incredibly thankful for you.

post signature

12 comments:

Tori said...

I am so sorry for your loss, I lost both a grandmother & a grandfather last year so I know how hard it is, especially when it is so close together for you. Since you have a successful blog, maybe when things calm down you can use it to raise money for cancer research or treatment. I found that after a long period of grief, trying to make some sort of a difference helped. Keeping you & your family in my thoughts.

Lauren said...

Oh Alyssa, I'm so sorry. Cancer is terrible and awful and just downright unfair. There is no reason to feel guilty - your life didn't have to stop and cancer took enough from you already to add to your current burdens. I'll be thinking about your family and I hope you are able to celebrate your grandfather rather than mourn him soon.

SMD @ lifeaccordingtosteph said...

I'm sorry for your loss. Cancer is a total ahole.

Yammering Yankee said...

I am sorry to hear about your Grandpa let me know if you need anything.

Stephanie said...

I'm so sorry for your loss Alyssa.

Kate @ Another Clean Slate said...

Sending so many hugs your way!

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

It is terrible when we lose a love one, I did a post about my pop when he passed in 2010, writing about him made me feel good, he was a great pop. I am sorry to hear you have lost your grandpa, I have always been closer to my nan and I do not know how I will be when she passes.

Lisa said...

I am so sorry for your loss. <3

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. This year I became grandparent-less. It is such a weird feeling. My grandma was like a second mother to me and she passed from breast cancer in 2010 and it is one of those hurts that I'll never get over.

The Life You Love said...

I am so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine how you feel, or how you felt when you lost your grandmother. Thank you for being so brave and sharing this story. I'm keeping you and your family in my thoughts.

Ginny Williams said...

Awwwee Alyssa, I'm so sorry to hear this. I've only lost 1/4 grandparents. It's reaaaaaaally hard! So so hard. I mean you grow up with them your entire life. They are like a parent to you...but cooler :) At least you were able to know him and he was able to watch you grow up into the most awesome blogger the world has ever seen :)

I'm sorry for your loss.

Ginny
www.buttergirldiaries.com

kristinleighh said...

I am so sorry!

Labels

#IHeartMyNailArt (1) Adulthood (2) Alyssa Said What? (2) April Fool's Day (1) Awards (2) BB Cream (1) Beauty and Skincare (3) Beer (1) Being That Guy (1) Blogging about Blogging (14) Bloggy Friends (5) Bravo (1) Bullying (1) Celebrities (4) China Glaze (1) Clothing (1) Cohabitating (1) Color Club (1) Confetti Friday (4) Dad (2) Dirty Sexy Politics (1) Dr Jart Skincare (1) Ella Fitzgerald (1) Entertainment (3) Essie (1) Family (6) Fathers Day (1) filibuster (1) Funny Stuff (1) Garrett (14) Giveaways (1) Guest Posts (1) Hall of Fame (10) Happy Things (2) Home Decor (2) Hope (1) Hot Topics (1) Inspiration (7) July (1) Kathryn (2) Kelly Blazek (1) Kelsey (1) Link Parties (6) Lists (1) Long Distance Relationships (1) Look Good (1) Mani Monday (2) Margaret Thatcher (1) Matthew Quick (1) Meghan McCain (1) Miley Cyrus (1) Millennials (1) Mom (1) Monday Thoughts (1) monthly recap (1) Mr Rogers (1) Nail Art (1) Nail Polish (2) NMB (2) Norfolk (1) OPI (1) Oscar Wilde (1) Outfit of the Day (1) Personal (18) Pictures of Me (3) Politics (2) Prince Harry (1) Quotes (8) Reaching My Goals (4) Real Life Friends (6) Reality Shows (3) Recipes (1) Relationship Thoughts (1) Sally Hansen (2) Shoes (1) Son of a Peach (1) Sponsors (1) Stevie (2) Stuff I Love (6) Sunday Currently (18) Sunday Musings (1) Sunday Social (1) Teen Mom (2) Texas (1) The Food Network Magazine (1) The Great Gatsby (1) The Office (3) The Real Housewives of New Jersey (1) The Silver Linings Playbook (1) The Wine Life (1) Thirsty Thursday Link-Up (2) Thursday Thoughts (5) Trayvon Martin (1) TV Shows I Love (6) Walgreens (1) Weekending (10) Weekly Roundup (24) Wendy Davis (1) Wesley (2) What I Read (2) What I Wish I Was Wearing (1) What I Wore (4)