A Strange New World

in Silver Bloggers9 months ago

Entering a strange new world at a point when life was so good, and seeing my entire world fall apart barely a month ago, has left me in a state of absolute disorientation.

How do you pick up the pieces and start a new beginning after sharing a lifetime with the one you love, when he was taken away without any warning, and the 'we' turned into 'I?

A part of me still thinks I can tell him or ask him something, but then wakes up to the reality that he's not here. I can still talk to him, but it's a one-way conversation, only silence greets me. At first, I refused to sit on his favourite chair, as if a part of me still believes that he'll be back, but then the despair hits, nothing will ever bring him back again!

Even though we both pursued our own interests, we mostly spent the last ten years post-retirement, in each other's company, something I will cherish forever, and that togetherness is what I'm missing the most.

I now also know the wisdom behind the words of Kahlil Gibran when he wrote of marriage in The Prophet:

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous,
but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone
though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,

And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

Kahlil Gibran

I've been missing in action for a while, and having to navigate the uncertainties in a choppy ocean, after losing a partner, can be quite overwhelming, and that's putting it mildly.
Dealing with legal and related issues has taken up most much of my time, with visits from friends and family thankfully taking me away from it all.

My rose-tinted glasses have become tainted when it comes to the medical fraternity when seeing how some raise their fees by a staggering 500% once they hear one has GAP cover. Looking back, I should have said a definite NO when asked that question.

The value of having a good support system in friends, family, and neighbours, cannot be overemphasized.

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My house smelt and looked like a florist shop, the refrigerator is still groaning with food, my son has been ordering vitamins, load shedding, and security gadgets, installed extra security measures, and overstocked my pantry; it looks like I have enough food to feed an army!

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Close friends were in Scotland at the time, and when they visited the St Giles Cathedral, my friend lit a candle and left a little note for Arthur at the altar; the choir was practicing at the time.

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There now is a big hole in my world, life will never be the same again!

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Original Content by @lizelle
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Ah it was a total shock for us all and I can just imagine the sheer loneliness you must be feeling. A lifetime with someone is just so much apart of a person and trying to adjust must be hard. Thinking of you all during this incredibly, life altering time. Be gentle on yourself and we'll always remember him with so much love ❤️

 9 months ago  

It really hit all of us like a sledgehammer, it was the very last thing we expected. He so often spoke of you guys and wanted us to visit you down in the Cape, but the last couple of years were extremely difficult. Hoping to see you sometime @jusipassetti xxx

Oh, dear Lizzie!
I can't even imagine how you must feel, it's as if you have lost your other half and now you have to learn to live with only the half you have left. But I know you will go on even though it won't be easy.
I can imagine your children trying now to protect you as best they can.
How is your health? How is your shoulder? Please take care.
I send you a big hug

 9 months ago  

Thank you Eli, I must apologize for only responding now, but there's just been so many loose ends to tie up - still is. But this is one road I was not prepared for at all, totally did not expect it to end like this.
Nevertheless, my kids have been amazing, trying so hard to make it easier, despite dealing with their own emotions.
The shoulder behaves, as long as I treat it gently, so for now I'm leaving it away from the knife, so to speak!
A big hug back to you as well xxx

It's dawn here in my country and I'm reading your blog. Aaah, My tears fell.🥺 Virtual Hug for you Ma'am Liz!❤️ Everything will be alright. And though it won't be the same again but for sure your husband doesn't want you to feel sad and lonely. You have your best support Maam, your family and friend.🥰🫂
Take care always and stay strong Ma'am.
❤️

I'm saving Khalil Gibran's poem about marriage.

 9 months ago  

Awe thank you for the encouragement and the very kind words @callmesmile, I really appreciate it. You are right, my sweet man would not want me to let sadness take hold of me, so I am doing my best and taking it day by day xxx

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this my friend. I can't imagine the pain you're feeling right now but I'm glad you have a good support system around you right now. Maybe, at some point, you'll find blogging to be a therapeutic outlet. It helped me so much to write about memories of my Dad after he passed in 2020. Take care of yourself and don't hesitate to reach out if there's anything I can do.

 9 months ago  

Thank you for the kindness @ericvancewalton, yes I am really thankful for my good friends and special family. I honestly do not know how anyone can come out sane on the other side if it weren't for their support system.
I am trying to get back to blogging now that a new kind of 'normal' has started, it does help somewhat to 'dilute' the hurt.
I hope you're enjoying your travels if you've started xxx

You're welcome! Yes, support is everything during times like these. I feel so bad for those who have to go through it alone. I'm glad you're back into a routine, that means you're healing.

My whirlwind of travel starts on the 21st of Aug - Montreal, Ohio, then Ireland. I just have a few weeks home between those trips. Covid is starting to run rampant again here in the US so, hopefully, we can avoid it during our air travel. Take care of yourself and I wish you a good week!

Why this is so sad, whenever I read about passing a love ones, it always makes me cry. I'm really not good in comforting people but, how are you right now? I hope you are okay and not thinking so much about him, maybe just a little bit is okay? Please be well and sending hugs from here to you 🥰. Moving on will be hard but, you can do it for sure, and only the happy memories of you two together will be left, a memories that will help you to get through this.❤️

 9 months ago  

Yes it's very hard to move on but the good memories will be with me forever xxx

I'm really sorry @lizelle, I didn't know about your loss, and there's nothing that can ease it for now, maybe time, when it passes and heals your wound a bit.

From here I send you a hug, and I hope that God gives you strength.

 9 months ago  

Thank you so much for your words of comfort @sirenahippie, time should dull the pain, and I do believe that God will give me the strength to move forward xxx

May God give you all the strength to go through this hard time and start something new, that would keep you engaged. You will still miss him, but then doing some charitable work for a greater cause will help you to deviate your focus.

 9 months ago  

Thank you @sanjeevm, I appreciate your advice and kind wishes. Thankfully I have wonderful memories and that's what I need to remember as well xxx

I wish I knew of words to comfort you. I can't imagine how difficult adjusting to this new reality is. I know you will come through, that there will be days of smiles, and laughter
It may not seem like it now, but life can be amd will again be so good. Much love, my dear friend. 🤍

 9 months ago  

Thank you @honeydue, I appreciate your words of comfort, some days are good and others not so. I do believe it will get easier over time, but never thought it would be this hard xxx

{{{ ❤️ }}}

 9 months ago  

Thank you @jacey.boldart xxx

I’m sorry you’re going through this. I can’t say I understand how it feels like but I pray you get through this successfully ☺️

 9 months ago  

Thank you @beeeee

You’re welcome ☺️