My Mother in law is gone. I don't know how to help my poor husband!

@kbkbooks (7022)
Canada
August 2, 2008 10:55pm CST
This is a followup to my discussion on being available to a spouse during the illness and death of a parent (http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1618575.aspx). My mother in law finally died after a long struggle, last Sunday morning at 10 AM. We had the wake on Tuesday and the burial on Wednesday. It was all very beautiful. My 61 year old husband is feeling really awful. He is an only child and his father died about 10 years ago. So now he feels "orphaned", which I suppose is quite normal. I feel so helpless, unable to do anything. He says I am being a good wife. The whole thing has just exhausted me (I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome so I tire easily and extremely). My husband is ashamed to cry and I feel so awful for him. He feels that he embarrassed himself and me at the funeral because he broke down and sobbed just before they closed the casket. He wouldn't even let me hug him at the time and he just ran out of the church. No one we have talked to feels he was out of line, of course but he is just embarrassed. My mother talked to him and told him it is a proud thing to be able to cry over a death in public and that everyone knows how close he was to his mom, and that he should hold his head high when he is out in public even if he is with people who saw him cry. So far we have met with a few and they all encourage him to express himself and tell him how much they love him. One of his guy friends said that seeing my hubby cry was the most beautiful testimony of his love for his mom that could have ever been. How do you feel about a man crying over the loss of his parents or other family members? Do you agree it is right and good? What can I say to him, and what can I do besides just holding him and telling him I love him?
5 people like this
7 responses
• Philippines
3 Aug 08
Good day.. I feel for your loss and yes for me it's ok to cry. To cry when a loved one passed away is normal if not downright righteous. It's the most honest expression of one's love to another. Just be there with him, like any circumstances that comes to our lives, he will eventually deal with it and accept it in the long run. You can support him the best way you know.
2 people like this
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
4 Aug 08
Thanks for your encouragement. It's nice to be told I am doing the right thing because I have been so doubtful because he is not yet responding to my comfort and love in this particular situation.
@grammasnook (1871)
• United States
3 Aug 08
I myuself wish that more men would cry whether it be a loss of a loved one or for anything else that ailed him. Crying is a natural thing. My husband has always said I would never see him cry because men are made of steel and made to be the strong ones of the household. Well he was wrong I seen him cry, some tears for sadness and some tears of happiness. Nothing to be ashamed about It takes a strong man to cry and to show that indeed he has a loving heart.
2 people like this
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
4 Aug 08
My husband is just as crushed by my having seen him cry as he is by losing his mother. No matter who talks to him and tries to encourage him, he says the same thing, Men aren't supposed to cry.
• United States
3 Aug 08
My hubby lost his best friend (his Dad) a year and a half ago. He is still struggling. Grieving has been hard for him. He also does not like to show tears. He was taught it was a sign of weakness. One thing I have been doing since day one is letting him talk and talk about his Dad. One good memory would lead to the next. At first he kept going over the loss and all the rough things his dad went through. But now the talk has switched over to good memories. I think the more they talk the better and not hold anything in. Your hubby seems to feel safe to share with you so that is good. I guess the loss of a parent is rough no matter what age. I think you doing a great job and your hubby is lucky to be able to be open with you. Just keep letting him feel safe to talk it all out and hugs as needed. Good Luck and God Bless
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
4 Aug 08
I am sure that crying and releasing the sorrow will be a healing thing, but I think he just have to take his time and do it when he is ready.
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
3 Aug 08
I am sorry for your loss and I can understand what it is like to loose a love one. I think you will need to be supportive in a normal way as you have always been for your husband. Just do not try anything away from the normal and let your presence be felt. I think that will be sufficient. It is quite natural for him to feel embarrass as he is already of age and would consider crying as a sign of lacking. It is relatively important that you take care of yourself all the more and not let your condition be an additional burden at this time of his grief. Remember to manage yourself well and be on the alert if his depression will slip to a stage where professional counseling may be required. In conclusion, sometimes being there for a person is reassuring and comforting enough and there is no need for words and phrases. Just be there as you have always been and be radiant.
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
4 Aug 08
I love that you said be radiant. I know that when I am being radiant it is because Jesus is shining His light and comfort through me.
@roanne05 (1290)
• Oman
3 Aug 08
i am sorry to hear your mother in law pass-away, in regards to your husband, i salute him for being true and man enough to express his feelings...just be there for him...he will pass this stage and accept what happened for sure.
1 person likes this
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
4 Aug 08
Thank you, I know grieving does take it's own course in time. I think partly I am being impatient.
• Philippines
3 Aug 08
its ok when a man is crying because he was hurt..he is just human...he has feelings and it is better to cry done keeping it with hisself...dont worry to much...its enough if he see you and hold you and he knows that your always ready to be there for him and comfort him...
1 person likes this
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
4 Aug 08
Thank you for encouraging me that I am doing the right thing.
• United States
11 Aug 08
"I wish my mother in law was gone....." Uhm? Do I say that out loud? err, sorry.. I mean, yeah....thats complicated, but good luck with that huh?