Grief

The healing work of GRIEF will labor long.

In dozens, no scores, of ways it is never over or complete because some losses escape healing.

After severe loss accommodation is possible, a full life is possible, new relationships can develop, yet, the vacuum of some losses are never filled or covered or fully healed.

Many people, understandably, want to rush grief and want all pain to be gone.

Who cannot want pain to be gone?

I know that rushing grief serves to bury the pain, makes it run deeper into the soul, only to manifest later, often disguised as something unrelated to the initial loss.

No matter how long ago my loss may have occurred, I will welcome the tears I feel welling up. I will let them flow. I know tears are grief’s first agents, first responders in loss and tragedy. No matter how long past my loss may have occurred, I welcome my desire to talk about it. I know that speaking about my loss stimulates my grief to do its unique work. Conversations facilitate healing and recovery, especially conversations with those who have walked a similar path.

No matter how long ago my loss or breakup or violations may be, I will welcome my desire to write about it. I know that words strung together into sentences, then paragraphs, then chapters, can help construct a boardwalk for hurting people, and for me, to deliver our grieving into realms of newfound peace and continued healing.