The Healing Journey

August 10, 2023

“Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality.”
– Emily Dickinson

When Ann’s husband Paul passed away, she went through boxes of cards that he had sent her throughout their years together. Her collection included their first Christmas card from 1950, birthday cards, Valentine’s Day cards, anniversary cards, Mother’s Day cards, and cards for every occasion imaginable. That’s how deep their love was.

He sent thousands of cards to her throughout their 71 years together, 69 of them married. Ann calculated — by a rough metaphorical calculation — that there were “boxes and boxes of cards,” enough cards “to reach the top of the Empire State Building”and probably come down the other side. And she saved them all.

One VERY special card was the first one he sent her for Christmas 1950, shortly after they met. He had written, “Santa will be late this year,” because he didn’t have a gift for her. She didn’t care. She told him, “I don’t need a gift. I have you.” During their long marriage, she gave him two beautiful daughters, a lot of love and just as much laughter.

Going through her card collection almost two years after he passed away, she still felt the intense pain of her loss. She thought, “If only half the world got as many cards as I did, they would understand all the love that we had for each other.” And the world would be a better place.

Grieving is a healing process, and very often it can be a long process. When it comes to our memories, the experience is painful. However, we cling to memories because they capture the essence of the loved one we lost. They will live on in our memories until we meet again.

***

Memories can be a source of pain, but they are also a reminder of the love we still share.