Kim Alyce Boulanger-White
July 12,1959-August 24,2009
Holy Crap. I am so devastated deep in my soul. Deep places in my very solar plexes in spots where I didn’t know I could hurt. I think I know, actually am more acutely aware of what it feels like to have your heart being ripped from your chest. An ache I have never felt. Like part of me is being shredded apart.
My oldest sister (and Mom figure) died on August 24th. Yes. If you are keeping up with these things 2 major relatives in 5 weeks. I am still so deeply mourning my Father. I miss him so much. Sitting here typing about him makes me tear up. I have realized something. My children have maybe seen me cry 2-4 times in their whole lives. I’m not a crier…. I wasn’t until now. My tears are always sitting on the rim of my eyes. I cry for no real reason. I think of something I want to tell my Dad and each time the memories flood right in. Like every time I have to relive the fact that he isn't in my house, on my land and I can't crawl up on his bed and just sit and hold his hand and talk about the stupid parts of my day. He always wanted me to tell him about the puppies and the Mom's. Tears are everywhere. I feel like since my Father and sister died I’m a walking zombie. I can’t focus, I can’t concentrate.
Kimmie dancing with Kenny. She was so proud this day.
I’m so alone. No one left who understands what being a Boulanger is. Boulanger is not simply a name. It is a way of life. It is a doing word. Boulanger’s always show up. Boulanger’s always come together during any crisis no matter how much we might be mad at each other. For all intensive purposes “Boulanger” is a verb. I tried talking to my youngest sister, Bonne about our heritage. She was too young. Boulanger means nothing to her. I don’t think it is something you can make another person appreciate or understand. I can tell her what it means to me but she won’t feel it in her core like I do. It seems like when I try to convey to the kids about my Mom there is this mist in front of their eyes. You can read about someone but unless you hear their laugh, or hear them talk you are missing the essence of the person.
I wonder if this is how it is supposed to feel when you are really old (not young like me of course) and everyone you love dies before you?? My sister just turned 50. That is young. Really young. Her big thing was that she out lived our Mother (died at 45) and she made it to the age of 50. Her second wish was that she could dance at her son’s wedding which she did. July 25th she danced. She danced with her son and she danced with her husband.
I wonder if this is how it is supposed to feel when you are really old (not young like me of course) and everyone you love dies before you?? My sister just turned 50. That is young. Really young. Her big thing was that she out lived our Mother (died at 45) and she made it to the age of 50. Her second wish was that she could dance at her son’s wedding which she did. July 25th she danced. She danced with her son and she danced with her husband.
You know, I’m having a serious crisis of faith. I wonder why God would allow this to happen.?? Then I think about people who lose their whole family in fires or car accidents and I understand that is worse for sure. My beef is the amount of family I am actually left with. Not much. There are 4 Boulanger kids left. No Mom, no dad and No big sister. The older sister I’m left with, now that Kimmie is not here, has no morals and we don’t speak. Not every family is perfect I know. I’m certainly NOT perfect but I do like to live my life as if “I’m better than that” philosophy. My brother, Tommy lives in Renton, Washington and has 3 kids and 3 grandkids. We don’t get to see each other often enough.
You know the 8 nights I spent in the hospital’s parking garage left me A LOT of time to think. No Internet and no computer left me with nothing else to do but think about stuff before my 4 Tylenol Pm’s would kick in. I’m sad. I’m sad that my Mom didn’t get to see any of my kids, I’m sad when people have a Mother and chose not to be involved with her. My sister’s passing has taught me that I always need to end every conversation with people I care about to say “I love you” before hanging up.
You know the 8 nights I spent in the hospital’s parking garage left me A LOT of time to think. No Internet and no computer left me with nothing else to do but think about stuff before my 4 Tylenol Pm’s would kick in. I’m sad. I’m sad that my Mom didn’t get to see any of my kids, I’m sad when people have a Mother and chose not to be involved with her. My sister’s passing has taught me that I always need to end every conversation with people I care about to say “I love you” before hanging up.
I was Kim’s last phone call. Happened the night before her heart attack. She phoned me at 11:40 ish. She phoned me because she was frustrated that the nurses “had not given her anything for her pain” and she was greatly distressed and in agony. My final words to her were “What room are you in? I’ll take care of it.” She then told me the nurse was there and she would call me in the morning when she woke up. I didn’t tell her I loved her, not because I didn’t. I just assumed this hospitalization would be like all the others. She goes into the hospital they pump her with antibiotics and she goes home until MRSA gets her again. I know that regrets don’t fix things. But my regret hopefully will be turned into an action. Never finish a call without saying “I love you more.”
If you know me you know I’ve been dreaming of my tattoo. The one I can’t get and stay married with.. I have decided I don’t want it to say “Love never fails” because it does all of the time. Instead… I want my tattoo to say simply “I remember.”
3 comments:
Heather,
It makes me so sad to know that you have lost so much the last couple of months and its making you question your faith. I saw your last post and the first thought that came to my mind was you felt like you lost your mother again because your sister was so close to a mother to you. But i also though that maybe your father needed her... He spent some really important time with you but i think it was her time to be with him. if she was in so much pain know that she is not in pain anymore and that her and your mom and dad are up there bsing and sharing some great memories! They are all looking down on you and over the boulangers and are proud of you and the "woman" and Mother that you are! Heather dont lose faith! You have made me realize i want to help people! Since i have been reading your blogs and enjoying my perfect little pups from you i have gone back to school. I am going to be a medical assistant and have even tempted to start my pre reqs to be a lvn. I want to help people in life the way that you have! Maybe volunteering time at a hospice or elderly home will help you. it seems to be your calling! And remember even though your dad isnt there in the physical form, he is right there with you!! You can talk to him whenever you feel the need and he can hear you, hell he might even get a chuckle at you "talking to yourself!" :) I want to give you a great big hug and tell you everything will be ok. Dont let yourself get down! Think about what your sister would say to you when you were sad and listen to her! You are amazing and god will never give you more than you can handle. There is a lesson behind all that happens.. Maybe this will bring your family closer together!! i hope this helps even just a little bit! xoxox christina
heather,
we are here for you! may not seem like it, but there are those of us who care! I DO know first hand what it is like to lose family so close together, almost same situation except different last names. I know your pain isnt the same as mine. No one truely knows how deep it hurts when they arent in others shoes. christina is right! they are definantly watching you and i am positive that they are PROUD of you! If you were my blood i would be so proud of you heather! just for the fact that you keep posting and letting us looky lou's read about your life. Even when it hurts. Yes, proud of you and love you as the women, mother, friend and wife you are!
I'll keep you in my prayers
Sara
Post a Comment