Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Old Room

So we're staying in his old room. Not having thought to bring my laptop, am now blogging using his old, old computer.

The old bed is too small for the two of us. And incredibly high. So high that my first night here, I fell off the bed & hit my head so hard on some old exercise equipment that was lying on the floor that I needed 6 stitches. Apparently, I also had a concussion and couldn't remember who I was the first few minutes I woke up. But I have no memory of that.

So I woke up the next morning to find him asleep in a sleeping bag on the floor. He'd decided to let me have the bed. The perfect gentleman.

Only it wasn't going to happen. I looked around & found myself another old, abandoned sleeping bag.

Now we both sleep on the floor. At least I can't fall off a sleeping bag.

His room is like a museum of unused & unwanted items because apparently his younger siblings helped themselves to anything that was of any practical use as soon as he moved out.

My mother-in-law was apologizing profusely, saying that they should have prepared a better room for me because I am a 'bride' & this is my first visit etc....And then she broke down & started crying. And then I broke down & started crying too.

That happens a lot around here. People would be in the middle of making dinner or doing the dishes & somebody would start blubbering and it's like it's contagious. It's also become perfectly normal to walk into a room & find people sitting around crying. You would avert your eyes, get what you came to get & then leave.

I don't know why this blog started with the story of the old bed & my stitches. Maybe because that incident was practically the only comic relief we've all had? Maybe I am an airhead who can't write about bad things - only about funny & cute things?

Because it IS bad. Bad beyond anything I was ever taught to articulate.

What else is worth noting? I haven't been out of the house since I got here. Except to the hospital to get my stitches.

And I work so hard. We all do. Cooking. Housework. Babysitting. Crying. Praying. Every night I am so exhausted that am out like a light the second my head hits the pillow.

Except K. He doesn't cry. And he doesn't do any work around the house either. He keeps to himself. Does pray sometimes but not as one would expect and also by himself. I seem to spend more time with his family than him!

Which is odd because everyone seems to assume that he will be the one to change his life & his plans to resolve the situation long-term. This would surprise me if my family wasn't more or less the same. I guess in every family, there is one person who will be expected to shoulder more responsibility. In my family, it's my two oldest brothers. In this family, it's K.

I know my life is about to change considerably. I know that's why he's so quiet, always thinking. And I know we'll talk about it soon.

I just wish he would cry. Or talk. Or get angry. Or something.

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4 Comments:

Blogger Alina said...

Sorry to hear things are so hard on you. And some stitches do not sound that funny to me!

I am sure K will manage to let it all out when he feels ready to. And that you guys will work out all the needed changes.

7/18/2007 11:41:00 AM  
Blogger Safiya Outlines said...

What Alina said and that I'll make du'a for you all insha Allah.

7/18/2007 08:07:00 PM  
Blogger Just Jane said...

I know all too well what you two must be going through right now. When my father had a stroke six years ago life came to a screeching halt. We did not know if he would live or die. Then when the immediate danger passed the reality of our new situation sank in. My dad could not walk, talk or even make a sound. He did not even know when he needed to use the toilet and had to wear a diaper. He just stared at us blankly. When he was finally well enough to come home I stayed with my parents for three weeks, feeding him, dressing him, shaving him. I made him do his rehab every day. It was hard--I was a single mother raising an infant at the time and my father had turned into a baby himself, just a really big, heavy one. My mother cried often, especially when I left to return home. I couldn't take it anymore, I had to have a break. But I knew what had to be done. I moved back to the city they live in (even though I hate it here) so I can help out. It's not been an easy road.
It was one of the most devastating times in all our lives. Yet, I never cried and neither did my family, with the exception of my mother. I think it's a Scandanavian thing--we're taught to be strong and stoic. Maybe it's just my crazy family.
I tell you this because I truly feel for you and K at this difficult time. I wish I had words of wisdom to share. All I can think to say is that "This too shall pass". My love to you both.

7/19/2007 05:28:00 AM  
Blogger Puppy said...

Dear LouLou,

I am sad to hear it. I dont know what to say, but all i know is that the more people think negative it attracts bad things. Is there any way to make things up for FIL,show him to better specialist?

7/19/2007 12:19:00 PM  

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