Wrestle with hurt...

a piece I'm writing for my next book.

Photo by Will O on Unsplash

He punched his small fists 
into his pillow—
My heart broke open
as I watched my son
wrestle with his hurt and 
anger. 
And all I could do was
hold him. 
And all I could
do was listen to his pain.
And all I could do was
be present
And remind him
that what he was feeling 
was okay.     

---

Brindsley shouts “Cancer is ruining 2022!” Yes, it is. He is right.

This year was not what we had planned or expected. I couldn’t believe it came back after ten years. GRR.

Brindsley ran into his room and punched his bed and pillow. “Dad is always sleeping now, he can’t put me to bed. He won’t even play with me.”

My heart hurt. My body crumbled to the bed. I sat next to him and placed my arm around him, holding him tight. I felt every word he said yet didn’t know what to do or say other than hold him and agree— It was ruining 2022.

I was grateful he was sharing how he felt rather than holding it in. I didn’t want him to carry this burden alone. I was relieved he felt safe and secure to shout out his frustration, pain, anger, and disappointment.

I see him and I hear his pain. He was not alone. I made sure to validate his feelings and remind him we were in this together. We would get through this. It is temporary and we will be okay and stronger because of it.

Thank you for reading and allowing me space in your inbox.

Take good care,

Julie