Thinking of us?

One of the hardest things about grief is that you have it forever, but the people around you eventually move on. The calls and emails and text messages slow down. It’s not that they aren’t sad, or stopped caring, but they can’t hold your hand forever. Nor should anyone expect them to. Sometimes I really wish that people would try harder for me and my hubby. I got a text that said, “I’m thinking of you... ” It was so simple and easy, it took maybe twenty seconds to type. But it made me cry, because that friend not only remembered, but took the time to tell me. Something as easy as a text message can literally overwhelm me with gratitude. And I wonder, why can’t more of my friends and family do this? Honestly, I almost hesitate to publish this, because I know it sounds so whiny. But then I think of all the people who say, “What can I do? Can I do anything to help you?” My standard reply is, “Oh, I’m OK.” But really? I’m not. Not at this time of year. So, if you want to help me, you can tell me that you’re thinking of me. You can send me a text, an email, send a card. I need this. I need to know that you still care. And I’m going to need to know next year. And the year after. And after.