Saint Paul, Minnesota Chapter
"We Need Not Walk Alone"
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Saint Paul, Minnesota Chapter "We Need Not Walk Alone"
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I AM A MAN! While our son was still in the hospital, I cried alone so my wife wouldn’t see me. At home, I cried alone, in the shower, in the back yard, anywhere but in front of my wife. I had to be a rock. After our son died, I helped support my wife in the best way I knew how. I was a rock for her to lean on. I was invincible. The rock caused more trouble than good. Soon we were not talking or getting along with each other and I didn’t understand why. My wife became angry. She told me, “You act like you don’t love JJ. (because I didn’t appear to be grieving). The rock became mush. I then realized what I had done. I had played MAN instead of just being a father and a husband. You see, a mother doesn’t need a rock with no emotions. She needed me to show her I did indeed love our son and that I was hurting after his death, and that I did cry. My wife comforted me that night, after we talked. I cried, she cried. We both needed it. I found out that it was good for me to cry and let my wife help me. I am a MAN. I am a grieving man, who now does not mind crying in front of anyone. I cry for myself and for our son. ~ Jim Brown, in Grief Relief Magazine, 1987 |
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For More information about the Compassionate Friends, visit the national Web site at: www.thecompassionatefriends.org Send mail to webmaster@tcfstpaul.org with questions or comments about the Saint Paul Chapter web site. Copyright © 2007 Saint Paul Area Chapter. All
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