The detail here is so potent. It reminds me how witnessing the poignant stories of other grieving parents (soul sisters) can offer such a bittersweet balm. The washed-out page ushered in a visceral memory of finding Elliot's senior high school annual -- with all the notes saying: "You are so smart. I can't wait to see what you do with your life." Thank you for your vulnerability and truth. Wrapping you in the salve of slow motion and the glimmer of grace.💜
Thank you, Elaine. I agree that sharing and bearing witness to the stories of others creates a safe place. It happens every week in the grief-writing group I facilitate and I'm so grateful for it. xo
It truly is. To their credit, they wrote me back (well, they wrote Annie back) but I responded to that, as well. I suggested that maybe they think their subject lines through a little bit.
Spent this past weekend with my little brother for his birthday, as our Mama passed away last year on his birthday, and my best friend passed the day before our Mama. It was healing to be with him and share grief in a sense, and also celebrate so many things. I see that you do the same, and I think that is healthy. Yes, there are so many landmines. Good word! You are very much helping us all navigate in that sense. Thank you again.
What a lot for your brother to deal with--celebration and remembrance. I appreciate your sharing your own experiences with me. It takes a village to support our grief. xo
Ah, we so need permission to grieve in our own way. And such a range of ways, especially in relationship to who we've lost, but even then, some people believe in pushing it down and moving on. I've never personally met a mother who could do that, but they may be out there. I'm not very religious at all, but I've been resonating with what the Rev. Cameron Trimble has been writing about grief: "This grief is not a sign that something is wrong with us. It is a sign that we are paying attention. Grief is not a problem to be solved. It is a relational process to be metabolized, to be integrated into the body of our awareness and action without letting it paralyze us or take us hostage." And for more of that, https://www.pilotingfaith.org/p/thoughts-on-grief utm_source=substack&publication_id=58642&post_id=186670312&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&utm_campaign=email-share&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=true&r=9qvh4&triedRedirect=true.
Thank you for the link--I look forward to reading it. I think that's the most challenging part of grieving--each loss is uniquely different yet our world/culture/society expects it to all look the same. Thanks for sharing, Judy. I appreciate it. ♥️
Thank you, Cindy. You lead the way for so many by your willingness to dig so deep and allow us to enter into your grief. Although what you share is your personal experience as a grieving mother, you offer words and insight that will reach into the hearts and minds of other grievers, and help their friends and family understand. .
You are helping by giving voice to what so many who don't know how to express what's happening, and also help others recognize and understand their own emotions and feelings. I recognize what you're doing isn't easy, but please know that it is important for yourself, for your readers, and for everyone who cares about you.
This one. This entry blows me away. The heft of your words- well it is emotional salve. It is a permission slip written by a mother for all of us for all of it.
Your writing this totally makes me feel like you just might be in my head listening.
The detail here is so potent. It reminds me how witnessing the poignant stories of other grieving parents (soul sisters) can offer such a bittersweet balm. The washed-out page ushered in a visceral memory of finding Elliot's senior high school annual -- with all the notes saying: "You are so smart. I can't wait to see what you do with your life." Thank you for your vulnerability and truth. Wrapping you in the salve of slow motion and the glimmer of grace.💜
Thank you, Elaine. I agree that sharing and bearing witness to the stories of others creates a safe place. It happens every week in the grief-writing group I facilitate and I'm so grateful for it. xo
“Are you still alive?” That is a profoundly disturbing tagline in any marketing concept.
It truly is. To their credit, they wrote me back (well, they wrote Annie back) but I responded to that, as well. I suggested that maybe they think their subject lines through a little bit.
An important post, Cindy. There has been progress in Grief Literacy in some ways…but there’s a long way to go. Restacking
Thank you, Esther. I appreciate your thoughts. xo
Spent this past weekend with my little brother for his birthday, as our Mama passed away last year on his birthday, and my best friend passed the day before our Mama. It was healing to be with him and share grief in a sense, and also celebrate so many things. I see that you do the same, and I think that is healthy. Yes, there are so many landmines. Good word! You are very much helping us all navigate in that sense. Thank you again.
What a lot for your brother to deal with--celebration and remembrance. I appreciate your sharing your own experiences with me. It takes a village to support our grief. xo
Reminding us all to not avert our gaze. It all belongs.
Let us sit with each other and bear witness with no judgment.
Hugs 🤗
I love this, Dianne. Thank you. ♥️
Ah, we so need permission to grieve in our own way. And such a range of ways, especially in relationship to who we've lost, but even then, some people believe in pushing it down and moving on. I've never personally met a mother who could do that, but they may be out there. I'm not very religious at all, but I've been resonating with what the Rev. Cameron Trimble has been writing about grief: "This grief is not a sign that something is wrong with us. It is a sign that we are paying attention. Grief is not a problem to be solved. It is a relational process to be metabolized, to be integrated into the body of our awareness and action without letting it paralyze us or take us hostage." And for more of that, https://www.pilotingfaith.org/p/thoughts-on-grief utm_source=substack&publication_id=58642&post_id=186670312&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&utm_campaign=email-share&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=true&r=9qvh4&triedRedirect=true.
Thank you for the link--I look forward to reading it. I think that's the most challenging part of grieving--each loss is uniquely different yet our world/culture/society expects it to all look the same. Thanks for sharing, Judy. I appreciate it. ♥️
Thank you, Cindy. You lead the way for so many by your willingness to dig so deep and allow us to enter into your grief. Although what you share is your personal experience as a grieving mother, you offer words and insight that will reach into the hearts and minds of other grievers, and help their friends and family understand. .
Thank you, Ginni. This means so much coming from you. I can only hope having to go through this is helpful to others. xo
You are helping by giving voice to what so many who don't know how to express what's happening, and also help others recognize and understand their own emotions and feelings. I recognize what you're doing isn't easy, but please know that it is important for yourself, for your readers, and for everyone who cares about you.
Oh Cindy,
This one. This entry blows me away. The heft of your words- well it is emotional salve. It is a permission slip written by a mother for all of us for all of it.
Your writing this totally makes me feel like you just might be in my head listening.
Thank you, Kathy. The best compliment I can get is that someone can identify with what I wrote. I am trying to listen . . . :)