traditional therapy was helpful. talking it out, crying it out. but mostly she just nodded and teared up a little bit with me and handed me tissues. she asked some poignant questions and made me think a little bit more, but really i did all the work. making and driving to the appointments was the hardest part. knowing that i was going to go somewhere and just talk about Lillian and probably cry a lot was just another hard thing for me to go through. am i better for it? who knows.
what really helped? my dog Polly. She is a very loving, high-energy dog and while out on my short-term disability she encouraged me to take long walks and just throw the ball. best therapy? oh yeah. i had lots of quiet time on the green-way and watching the sun over the lake. the best part? if i wanted to talk Polly was there. no judgment, no pity and she never had that awkward sympathetic look in her eye that said "oh she's crying. again. and...i really don't know what to say here...so..."
Polly loved and still loves me no matter what. the unconditional love of a dog is one i never want to give up. she's only 4 years old, but since Lillian died i've been more aware of the fact that she won't be around forever and when she dies i'll be a total basket-case. Then i'll really need a therapist.
I feel the same way about my dog. She gets a lot of hugs these days...
ReplyDeleteOh, you're telling me. Sidney's neck fur is the perfect softness to bury your face into when you really, really need to let it out.
ReplyDeleteDid you remember the birthday? We forgot and felt so guilty afterwards, like she even knows the difference.
Best dogs ever, I swear.