Posted by Lonely on September 20, 2003, at 1:16:06
Whew! After going through the registration process I almost forgot why I was here! <grin>
The reason is because my therapist of 3 years died in the spring of this year and I miss her terribly. Thankfully, we had a professional&personal friend in common who let me know of her sudden serious illness and death so I was able to attend the Memorial. I think I was about the only one of the patients who knew in time. That's a terrible way to have a powerful relationship end.
I was able to get a couple photographs of her, one of which sits on my credenza and the other I use for a screen saver. She was really much more than a therapist to me - in fact, sometimes I'm not so sure about the therapy part - but I cared deeply about her and I dearly wish I could have eased her pain and told her how much I cared. I can't help crying as I write this.
It's hard to be a patient; if a relative had died there would be no question as to who I was at the Memorial. But, with a therapist there's no real after-support like there is with family members. Also, I think I understand some issues better now that we had scrapped over and I want to tell her about it. I know she was in pain and putting on a brave face and I wish I had been more compassionate to her. I can't find anyone else who *really* understands or whom I feel cares about me as much.
There is a closing couplet from a Shakespeare sonnet that goes "this thou perceivist which makes thy love more strong; to love that well what thou must leave ere long" that somehow comes to mind when I think of this therapist.
poster:Lonely
thread:261848
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030917/msgs/261848.html