Charlie foxtrot
This is beginning to sound like a broken record, I know, but the last several days of our lives have been nothing but a tidal wave of heartbreaking chaos. Jon's sister-in-law died on the morning of his birthday, this following a night that had ended in a pretty ugly display of ineptitude in parenthood on my part, one that I'm not sure I can forgive myself for.
Marlo isn't sleeping, and yesterday we had a bit of a medical emergency with Leta, only to get a flat tire on the way home. This morning I woke up at 2 AM to the smell of poop, couldn't get back to sleep, and then when Marlo woke up at 5 we discovered another pool of canine diarrhea, this time all over the inside of Coco's crate.
The next few days are going to be consumed with family obligations, and sadly this will be the fourth funeral of a close family member we've attended in the last nine months.
I can't really find anything profound or funny to say right now, only that as Jon was changing the flat tire I had to arch my back so that my face was facing the sky directly. And then I shouted, PLEASE, LIFE. LET US CATCH OUR BREATH.
You must have a dooce® Community account to leave a comment.
If you've already registered, login.
If this is your first time posting here, snag a free account.
FM Living
dianaparkhouse said:
Take care of yourselves xx
07.27.10 - 09:07 AM / 1lesliepaige78 said:
dooce, jon, and the rest of the family, my deepest sympathies. i dont know why the deaths of family members seem to happen in clusters or why life is full of shit all at one time, but "the internet" has been there. i pray you get to catch your breath even if its forced by a complete shut down of your own doing.
07.27.10 - 09:09 AM / 2Just Jill said:
Sending lots of love, light and hugs your way.
07.27.10 - 09:15 AM / 3EarlGreyHot said:
For whatever it's worth coming from some stranger on the internet, I can only say I'm so sorry. My heartfelt sympathies to you, Jon and your family.
And I second what diana at #1 said, please take care of yourselves. I have no idea what your parenting mishap was, but please, do forgive yourself. You are only human, you cannot do everything perfect. Failing every once in a while is part of being human. Actually, it might be a requirement.
Hugs.
07.27.10 - 09:21 AM / 4melnyc said:
So sorry for your losses. I learned the hard way that tragedy does seem to hit in clusters, and you feel like life will just keep crapping on you. Eventually you come out the other end and catch your breath, but it's hard.
07.27.10 - 09:30 AM / 5cipsi said:
I'm so sorry for your loss and for all the chaos in your life right now.
Wishing you all some peace, and soon.
07.27.10 - 09:34 AM / 6Bratfink said:
John and Heather, so sorry this has been such a tough time in your family. I'll send up some prayers for ya, and please know that things will get better because that's the way life goes. Up and down, up and down.
And NO ONE is a perfect parent. Deal with it! Forgive yourself, start anew, and we'll talk again when you have teenagers.
;)
07.27.10 - 09:34 AM / 7Truthful Mommy said:
Heather and Jon, I am so sorry for all this shit that keeps piling on top of you guys. I know the feeling, and when it hurts to breathe because you have to fight back tears and don't have the strength to suck in the air..cry, scream, shout; do whatever you have to to get the weight off of your chest. Don't be so hard on yourself about the mothering, none of us are perfect and its a hard job. No no one can be expected to have it all together,all the time. It's all part of being human. Go spend time loving on your family,catch your breath. WE will all be here when you get back! Big Hugs!
Debi
07.27.10 - 09:37 AM / 8ChickWhitt said:
Love and peace to all of you.
07.27.10 - 09:41 AM / 9Shana in Texas said:
My sincerest condolences on your loss.
07.27.10 - 09:41 AM / 10Rebecca Siewert said:
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers
07.27.10 - 09:42 AM / 11Angeerah said:
I am so sorry for your loss. You bring laughter to me on my days when I need it so I hope you find laughter and happiness for your family very soon.
Be well.
07.27.10 - 09:49 AM / 12kapachino said:
Wow. I've felt that way many times myself this year, and I don't wish it on anyone. It seems that when one major thing happens all these other annoyances pop up that just become unbearable. Thinking about you.
07.27.10 - 09:50 AM / 13Gypsy said:
My deepest condolences to Jon. A death is stunning, even when you know it's coming.
Of course, we're all dying to know about your parenting gaff - because we want to feel better about our own hideous gaffs. When you're ready to talk about it ...
I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours. ;)
07.27.10 - 09:50 AM / 14dianemaggipinto... said:
we're not sleeping well, either, as lio too is fussy. makes one cranky and thus ...
my moments of parental ineptitude are numerous. i look back at them and think "well, that's in the past" and try to do better. not easy.
sympathies from sugar house.
07.27.10 - 09:50 AM / 15JessicaM said:
So sorry for the losses that you've gone through. Big hugs to you all.
Also: be gentle with yourself. Parents make mistakes all the time. It's called "being human." Apologize. Talk it out. Forgive yourself.
07.27.10 - 10:05 AM / 16SurprisingWoman said:
Go and be with family. Take the time to breathe and come back when you are ready.
I am so sorry for your family's losses.
07.27.10 - 10:09 AM / 17Dani said:
Awww man and I thought I had bad birthdays.
I'm so sorry for your whole family. I hope life gives you a break soon. It's totaly okay to not always bring the funny. It proves you're human.
07.27.10 - 10:11 AM / 18Heather_O said:
Many hugs to you Armstrong family. You're in our thoughts.
07.27.10 - 10:13 AM / 19nluvwthmybstfrnd said:
I Know how it feels when Life gets you down and just keeps kicking the shit out of you. It hurts, but it will eventually stop. In my experiences, usually just long enough to let you catch your breath before it starts kicking again.
Sending you lots of Love, Light, and Hugs.
Take all the time you need to pick yourselves back up, and know that we will all still be here when you can get back.
All my Love to you both...
07.27.10 - 10:20 AM / 20evergrey said:
I can't imagine how much stress this has been on you all. I'll be praying for your whole family and for relief from this poop storm. I'm so sorry - hugs to you.
07.27.10 - 10:20 AM / 21theurbancowgirl said:
Sending love and thoughts to your family. My condolences on your loss.
07.27.10 - 10:30 AM / 22lynseylou82 said:
Heartfelt hugs and condolences to you and your's.
I hope that breath comes soon. With a full on pool-side margarita, gentle breeze, palm trees swaying, "Ah, this is exactly what we needed," vacation from LIFE.
07.27.10 - 10:40 AM / 23Benny said:
Take all the time you need. We'll be here when you get back.
07.27.10 - 10:55 AM / 24Blahggy said:
Oh, Heather, I'm so sorry. It sucks when life does this kind of thing. At least there's not a bobcat living in your house, right?
07.27.10 - 10:59 AM / 25ilovelucy1976 said:
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I hope Leta is ok and on the lighter side--Marlo=nyquil right now. Just kidding. I hope she sleeps for you soon.
07.27.10 - 11:01 AM / 26Lex Lemon said:
Sending lots of love.
07.27.10 - 11:01 AM / 27srising said:
Condolences to you and Jon and the whole fam. I'll say a prayer for you guys. Things will look up. :)
07.27.10 - 11:27 AM / 28Plano Mom said:
I'm glad you told us. So we can pray for you. Peace.
07.27.10 - 11:49 AM / 29Lisa Dickie said:
I am so sorry about Jon's sister in law, that is awful. Wishing you calm seas during this shit storm that you are dealing with day after day. The fact that you found the time and strength to write today says a lot about you. Hang in there!
07.28.10 - 04:46 AM / 30