I hope this link works – I was reading this article today titled “Scientists work on ‘Trauma Pill'” and it reminded me of the movie my brother and SIL had – “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”. In that a young man realizes the woman he loves has erased all memory of him – it’s very complicated and very thought provoking. Anyway, as the article points out – that is sci fi and this new pill is not quite that effective. Instead of totally erasing a trauma – it “may make the resulting memories less painful and intense.”
So I was wondering if I would take something like that in regards to losing Joshua. And, then I realized that I no longer think of it as a trauma. It has been almost 3 years since we lost him so unexpectedly and it WAS traumatic. But now it is more of a defining moment for me. Don’t get me wrong….I’m still very much grieving his loss. Not a day goes by when I don’t realize we are mising part of our family. But, I think I might be more accepting of this trauma. I might be defined by it but I’m not traumatized.
And speaking of what defines us. I was talking with my DH yesterday in a very rare child-free moment and, if I understood him right, he does not want to be defined by our loss. I can’t understand that. Of course I’m defined by it. Just as I’m defined by being a child of divorce, a follower of Christ, the firstborn, all those years of infertility and so on. But these are not negative things – just defining things. I’m not using them to excuse bad behaviour – but I recognize that these are the factors that have fashioned me into the adult I am today.
So, what say you? Do you buy ‘defining moments’? Would you take a pill to relieve a trauma? (be sure to read the article – it may not be what you think it is) Love to interact with other about this!
