Last week was pretty crappy week, as weeks go. A perfect storm of a bunch of far-from-perfect situations, and let’s just say better times have rolled down in our home.
We were prepping for my son to start 1st Grade today. In addition to panic attacking while trying to sort a online account for his milk money and cursing out the grocery store for not selling the proper required folders, the whole scenario has been a bit of a crap show. As cool as I’d like to pretend I can play it, I can’t. I can’t play it cool at all. I sobbed a mess last year. Throwing in the added Mom-worries of him being there all day, his questionable ability to navigate the lunch line, and the weight managing even more homework, I anticipate a similarly tearful scene going down this year as the bus pulls away.
And then it was my birthday, which means it was my mother’s birthday too the day after, which means I became psychotic. I don’t entirely understand why, but I tend to do things like light my kitchen on fire and drive through our garage door whenever it’s her birthday or the anniversary of her death. Or Christmastime. Basically, I’m a basket-case year-round.
There was a no-good situation with a friend which to put it simply, stunk. Financial concerns weighed heavily. I was sure my scale hated me, despite endless mornings with Jillian, which lead to the depressing realization that my now late-30s metabolism had officially quit. And, without exaggerating the stench, I’m almost positive something died in the air vent of our minivan. I’m shopping for reasonably-priced gas masks for the kids and me on Amazon as we speak.
It was going well last week.
By Wednesday, I was caving. It felt like a pin had popped my bubble of effort and I wanted to give up. I felt weird. I felt strange. I couldn’t find my normal get-up-and-go, and even more alarming, I didn’t have the energy to even holler “Get out of my kitchen!” to my kids while fighting with dinner. When my daughter walked in and spilled her milk in front of the stove, a lump in my throat met welling in my eyes and I was silenced.
What was happening?
As my mind tripped over itself attempting to sort and understand and fix all of what was wrong, I felt a small, yet powerful, realization, “You can’t fix this.”
And it was right. I couldn’t fix it. My son would be going to school the next week, and it wasn’t going to be an easy thing. My dead mother’s birthday was staying on the calendar. I could keep working on the weight, praying about my friend, pinching pennies in the corners, and saturating the van with Febreeze, but…there were no magic wands I could wave to make it all better.
It just was what it was and in the time and season for everything, this was a season, or a week, of crap.
And suddenly, this realization brought another realization: I was sad.
I’m not very good at sadness when I feel crummy, despite having been schooled by Inside Out. I do a lot better with the rants and raves of anger. Exhaustion can be friendly, as it allows me to let things slide while I muddle through the day until I can get the kids stashed in bed.
Sadness requires a presence, a state of being there and being aware of the bad without raising arms to attack it. When you’re sad, you must simply be sad. Feel the low feelings for what they are. It is a stillness.
I suck at being still. It was a long day.
That night, after my husband and I got into bed, I scootched over and rested my head on my husband’s shoulder. Cued into my mood by my uncharacteristic silence that evening, he asked, “Do you want to talk about it?”.
I thought about it for a minute, “No,” I said, “Because if I’ll talk, I’ll cry and then I’ll get angry and start to stress. Or worse, I’ll start to laugh and then I’ll feel better. And right now, I just want to be sad.”
“Okay,” he paused, “Let’s just be sad.”
Because, friends, sadness is absolutely going to be part of some weeks. Obviously if it’s extreme or ongoing, seek help, but otherwise, we need not fear it. It won’t feel good, but it’s real. And allowing ourselves to be real is a gift. It lays us bare so the yuck inside can breathe and air out as we process, freeing us to genuinely experience anything sweeter that then comes our way. It’s part of the ebb and flow of this life, and it’s a pretty gorgeous thing.
Now if I could only get that stench to air out of the minivan, we’d be all set…
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Janine Huldie says
Aw, Meredith so much love and hugs here to you and yes I know what you mean sometimes we just have to let ourselves feel what we feel and trust me I have had more than my share of sad moments here. I am most definitely gearing up for back to school sadness on this Wednesday when both my girls start back up with Emma going into 1st like your son and Lily just beginning Kindergarten. So, believe me I think I do get it and thinking of you right now, too. Once again, we are in this one together too it would seem.
Meredith says
We always share all these big life events together, Janine! xoxo Hope the first day goes well for both your girls!
Cynthia Gabriele Sprouts Consignment Boutique says
Van Morrison said it well: Momma said there would be days like this! As you know for me it has been months. All I can do is smile, laugh, cry, & just some days merely let them pass. In the larger scheme of life we are still truly blessed we just need to let the emotions work their way through us & deal with each as it comes. Try not to make problems for yourself and ENJOY every blessed moment you share with family & friends. You are loved & you hold it together better than you think. Love you! Thank you for sharing time with me on your birthday! It meant soooooo very much to me. Sorry, not really sorry that I was busy, but sorry I did not have more private time for you.
Meredith says
I remember my mom playing this song all the time! Thanks for bringing back a sweet memory, Cindy!
Ashley ~ 3 Little Greenwoods says
I have so been there with you. That sad feeling can be super hard to shake. I’m sending you big warm hugs and lots of love!
This week’s got to be better. Right? 🙂
Meredith says
Absolutely 😉 And thanks for the encouragement, love. xo
Chris Carter says
Oh hun… I am so so sorry you had such a hard week- and SO many big emotional things that hit at once. You described such an authentic experience- that I too, often go through when faced with that erupting sadness. I try to fight it, and become irritated, unsettled, and angry just trying to function through it.
You are so right about this awful yet true to life feeling… it needs to be felt, and sometimes it’s really hard to peel the layers off to get there.
Praying for you, sweetie.
Meredith says
Wow, Chris, you nailed exactly how I’m feeling–“erupting sadness” and “it needs to be felt, and sometimes it’s really hard to peel the layers off to get there.” Thanks for getting it and for the support and prayers–xoxoxo!