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Posted by STREAXGIRL on May 01, 2003 at 20:19:42:

In Reply to: GUILT posted by Charphy on April 30, 2003 at 19:01:57:

I CAN COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND YOUR GUILT, I THINK THAT'S WHAT IS MAKING IT SO HARD FOR ME. MY BIRD FLEW OUT THE GARAGE DOOR AFTER SOMEONE OPENED IT AND STARTLED HIM. THE WHAT IF'S RUN THROUGH MY MIND. WHAT IF I HAD CLIPPED HIS WINGS, WHAT IF I HADN'T TAKEN HIM INTO THE GARAGE, AND IT GETS MORE COMPLEX FOR ME SINCE I WAS NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE IN TOWN WHEN IT HAPPENED, WHICH MEANT HE WOULD STILL BE HERE, CAUSE NO ONE ELSE WOULD HAVE TAKEN HIM INTO THE GARAGE. MY MOTHER BELIEVES IT IS THE GUILT THAT IS SO HARD TO LET GO OF, AND IT'S A TOUGH LESSON TO LEARN, BUT MAYBE BEST DONE WITH AN ANIMAL THAN A CHILD, THOUGH TO ME, HE WAS MY BABY. THE FACT IS THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT AFTER THE FACT, AND IT WILL ONLY EAT US UP TO DWELL ON IT. WHEN GOD KNOWS HOW PRECIOUS OUR ANIMALS ARE AND WANTS THEM CLOSE TO HIM, THERE IS NO STOPPING IT NO MATTER HOW MANY PRECAUTIONS WE TAKE. WHAT I TRY TO REMEMBER IS THAT THEY LOVE US UNCONDITIONALLY AND THEY WOULDN'T WANT US TO FEEL THIS BAD, SO WE MUST LET THE GUILT GO AND LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES. I SAY IT LIKE IT'S EASY TO DO, BUT IT ISN'T, AND I'M REALLY TRYING TO TAKE MY OWN ADVICE ;)

:Hello,

:It's me again. I don't know if it is stages that some people go through but I now have guilt that I should have been able to save Charlie. Just all these thoughts go into my head. I wake up all times of the night wondering was he choking and I could have saved him, was it the arthitis medication, etc...

:It's been 2-1/2 weeks now. I don't cry everyday which makes me feel so guilty. I went and got my hair cut and I cried all night because I felt guilty (like i was moving on).

:I think that posting on this site has helped me though. Everyone's kind words has made it a little easier. Thank you for your kind words.

:Kim

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