Complicated Grief

Posted by kathy3818 @kathy3818, Jun 11, 2025

Over the last 4 years I have lost my immediate family and parents to death. During those years my husband and I had moved close to my childhood home. This was so I could help with my mother who had full on Alzheimers disease.
One night, while I was staying overnight to give the part time caregiver a night off, there was a terrible storm. A major flood happened in my own neighborhood and destroyed the home my husband and I had recently bought. We had not lived there long and so all the heirloom paintings from my great grandparents home were sitting in boxes in the floor. They were destroyed. Basically everything was ruined due to the water level being so high. It was devastating! What came after was even more so. My husband and I spent the next few days cleaning and trying to see what was salvageable. It broke my heart!
I didn’t have time to grieve over that as I was now facing something else. My mother fell during the night and was from then on wheelchair bound. This fall traumatized her and her mental state worsened. I obtained a hospital bed with rails after this happened.
I also moved into her room with a twin bed so I could be next to her. Before that I slept on the couch outside her room.
Not long after the flood my husband left. He did leave a note explaining that he couldn’t deal with all we were dealing with regarding my parents health and then the flood. I don’t know where he went. He blocked my phone. Tried talking to his friends but though they attempted to explain to me why he left I will never understand it. After all the time we spent together I never dreamed this would happen. I wasn’t able to grieve this either. My whole life revolved around taking care of my family. My 93 year old Aunt lived next door to Mom n Dad. She was legally blind and needed help too. I hired help for her which had its challenges too.
My Aunt died first. Then 6 months later my Dad passed away suddenly. 3 months later Mom died. My younger sister and brother had died from an accident a couple of years before I moved back home. Because my parents were both the youngest in their families their siblings were all gone.
I was responsible for having all of my family buried. I didn’t grieve much at first. It seemed there was always more to be done.
However, suddenly it was so quiet. Once I started the task of cleaning out a 2 generation farmhouse packed with everyone’s things I felt the grief welling up inside me. Yet even then I wouldn’t let it just come. I was afraid it would kill me if I gave into it.
Its now 2025. I sold the house. Found a house near my adult children several hours away. Moved there and tried to unpack. I’ve always been good at putting things in perspective. However, since I’ve been here I have become this weird person who doesn’t want to leave my house. I seem to push away any semblance of friendship. Don’t answer all my calls or texts. I eat and I sleep way more than normal. Oh! and I cry over the smallest thing. I’ve become a shell of who I once was. My kids are busy with their families. Grandkids are in their teens so I don’t get to see them much anymore. The doctor upped my antidepressant. All that does is make me feel numb. I’m not thinking about suicide because I have seen firsthand what happens to those who are left behind. I won’t do that to my children.
I’m left with this life that feels like a giant void. I know all the things I’m supposed to do. I just don’t seem to care. 😔

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Profile picture for Fred @fred1

Thanks for your response and thoughts ED. I notice that your name indicates that you may be from New Jersey, if so, you might try contacting "Samaritan" Grief Support. I'm getting support from them with a weekly telephone one on one counselor, plus I attend weekly meetings with a "Hope" grief support group, which is very helpful. However, at my age (92), I will no doubt be grieving the rest of my life. Take care, hopefully the counseling helps heal.

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@fred1 I live at the beach in southern NJ, and I am familiar with HOPE, belonged for 9 months then became the only guy. Just felt a little odd and I did step out of the group and it was helpful. Thanks for the info on Samaritan Grief Support. Will check into it. I also belong to an online support for men and that has been helpful, we meet online weekly. Take care and good health to you! Ed

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Hi Ed, please do check with Samaritan - they offer in person group therapy, one on one telephone and a zoom group. I just do the one on one. The Hope group that I attend weekly has been the one that provides me the most relief - there are only three men right now, with about nine women. I also attend a men only zoom meeting once a month. The Hope group is on break right now, will resume on 1 July.

Truthly, I think I'm just attending all of these meetings, to have something to do - you see, at my age (92 in August), there is no grief support that will help me from grieving the rest of my life. I go shopping at least three time every week, just to get out of the house. Going on a bus trip to North Jersey, for a show and lunch with my niece and her husband next week, just to get out of the house. I have two dogs that keep me fairly busy at home - but the dumb animals just are not very great conversationalists. I love them both, wouldn't know what to do without them....but they also bring back memories of much better times.

Thanks again for the response, take care of yourself. Good luck finding a support team that makes you comfortable.

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Profile picture for Fred @fred1

Hi Ed, please do check with Samaritan - they offer in person group therapy, one on one telephone and a zoom group. I just do the one on one. The Hope group that I attend weekly has been the one that provides me the most relief - there are only three men right now, with about nine women. I also attend a men only zoom meeting once a month. The Hope group is on break right now, will resume on 1 July.

Truthly, I think I'm just attending all of these meetings, to have something to do - you see, at my age (92 in August), there is no grief support that will help me from grieving the rest of my life. I go shopping at least three time every week, just to get out of the house. Going on a bus trip to North Jersey, for a show and lunch with my niece and her husband next week, just to get out of the house. I have two dogs that keep me fairly busy at home - but the dumb animals just are not very great conversationalists. I love them both, wouldn't know what to do without them....but they also bring back memories of much better times.

Thanks again for the response, take care of yourself. Good luck finding a support team that makes you comfortable.

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@fred1 The meetings are helpful, that's for sure. The fact that Samaritan offers telephone and online does interest me. I will let you know how I make out. Glad you're remaining active at 92, keep going!!

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