Oh No… Did this just happen?

I was in an automobile accident on Friday. I have injuries which cause pain.

I am wondering how much longer will I be in pain? What is the next step for taking care of me? When will I be back to what I was before the accident? I even found myself crying and asking how much more pain and suffering can I take?

The pain makes it difficult to sleep, conduct my activities of daily living and takes away my enjoyment of life.

I realized that the pain and my questions were the same ones I asked myself when my two children died. I also realized the answers are the same. We do not know how long we will feel the pain of loss. It may linger like a constant gnawing sore that festers or heal with just a tiny scar. It may flare up for no apparent reason or might even find that you do not think about it every day.

Be an advocate for yourself. Get help in your grief, just like I am working with a doctor for my injuries. Work with those that will help you both in grief and physical healing. This is a journey, which never ends. Learn some things that will help when things get tough.

There is the before and after “normal”. No matter how hard you pray, wish or barter with God, your loved one has died. Accepting your loss is the first step in healing. Not to say you like creating a new normal, it is a fact it is just that, a new normal. You can choose to heal or live with a broken heart.

I will dig deep to make it through this pain. I can tap into the strength I never knew I had and let it rise to serve me once again in a time of need. If you have never had to find that inner courage before, if you look hard enough, you will find it.