June 15, 2023
“Grief can be a burden, but also an anchor. You get used to the weight, how it holds you in place.”
– Sarah Dessen
You may fear grief. You may resent grief. You may resist grief. But grief is not your enemy. Strange isn’t it? You may wonder how something that can cause so much pain be so necessary for your survival. So don’t run from it. Don’t hide from it. Acknowledge it and go where it leads you.
Some of us think grieving is a process we have to complete. Others see it as a journey that will lead to a new understanding of ourselves and our loved one. Along this journey, there are road signs and waysides … but not everyone will reach them at the same time.
There are some certainties on the healing journey: You have to accept your loss. You have to express the emotions that accompany it. You have to adjust to a new life without your loved one. You have to find your own special way to remember them and hold them in your heart until you meet again.
Will you be a better person because of your grief? That depends. Many people develop a new appreciation for compassion, empathy and listening. You will look at life and love differently and be able to separate the important from the trivial. You will find joy in simple things and gain an understanding of what is truly meaningful.
And as painful as your memories may be, you will cherish them and discover they can make you laugh and cry at the same time.
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Healing is a journey with surprises along the way.