He broke my heart, but I cannot let him go

He broke my heart, but I cannot let him go

By Laura Pratt

February(ˈfeb(y)o͞oˌerē, ˈfebro͞oˌerē) 14th is the day we contemplate(ˈkäntəmˌplāt) our hearts. Ideally(īˈdē(ə)lē), we find them robust and whole. Often though, they’re a mess, blistered(ˈblistər) remnants(ˈremnənt) choking(CHōk) the grate after the fire’s gone. These hearts are Valentine’s(ˈvalənˌtīn) vestiges(ˈvestij). And they also deserve(dəˈzərv) love.

“Heartbreak,” writes poet(ˈpōit,ˈpōət) David Whyte, “begins the moment we are asked to let go but cannot.” Among those things we’re asked to let go: plans, rituals(ˈriCHo͞oəl), security, expectation(ˌekspekˈtāSHən). History. A future.

Hope.

As for letting go of Dan, that was an extraordinary(ikˈstrôrdnˌerē,ˌekstrəˈôrdn-) idea. After six intense(inˈtens) years together, he was knit(nit) into my skin. And when he left, I unravelled(ˌənˈravəl).

Romantic heartbreak distinguishes itself from other sorrows(ˈsärō) by the dismissal(ˌdisˈmis(ə)l) and loneliness that are stitched(stiCH) through its wool(wo͝ol). Here is the conscious exit(ˈegzit,ˈeksit) of someone who has free will to do otherwise. Here is the loss(läs,lôs) of a partner and best friend and self-worth. Of care and concern(kənˈsərn) and comfort. Here is the loss of peace.

And so this is heartbreak’s grim(grim) essence(ˈesəns): a message from the universe that you are not precious and a sentence to process that on your own.

…
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/first-person/article-he-broke-my-heart-but-i-cannot-let-him-go/