Words for the Journey

- This is not written from a prescriptive pedestal, but from personal, recent experience Make no mistake grief is a package deal.  Along with the obvious: the loss of your loved one – you will face a host of other unanticipated and sometimes, soul and life-changing challenges that further cripple you.  As if the loss event is not enough! 

How are the windows darker now. I have lost my love. Our Spring has turned to frozen, cracked, patches of bare ground. Gone is the green grass. No flower grows on this hill anymore, for you have gone. There is a glimmer of a candle that I see. Brighter now, flickering. Shadows of who we were, in photographs and memories.

You have been gone about 6 weeks. Your clothes are in the closet. I sleep under your blankets, I wear your clothes. I am rummaging through boxes of stuff that does not matter, but I can't throw anything away. I am clinging to your things, trying to hold on to pieces of you. Am I insane? Why do I want your old box of wooden dominoes that's missing two?

Physically, it’s hard to imagine being able to survive with half a heart.Emotionally, that’s what loss feels like.Gone, Just Like That

When we first met,I did not know,That you would come,And how fast you'd go! I did not know,That in the end,I would have to lose,Such a real good friend! I did not know,It would hurt this much,To be without you,And your loving touch! You left me here,

I have always wanted to be a mother and encourage our children to be honest, caring, empathetic and great communicators.  All the parenting books never prepared me to help my three children grieve the unexpected loss of their father. His death was a shock- all three children helped thousands of searchers try find our Travis.

Kimberly has been gone for seven years. This year seems to be more difficult than the last few. I didn’t know how to put into words why or how it was so much more difficult. I kept thinking the reason it was so hard was that it seemed as if my family has forgotten Kimberly. I now realize that was only a small part of the problem.

On your first Valentine’s Day in heaven- it will be 100 days from the last time I saw you.  100 days from when I last heard your voice. It feels as if it has been 100’s of months and years….

 Our beautiful angel,You were just laid to rest,Please watch over your mom,As you know she's the best! Please watch over your dad,And your daughter who loves you so,Everyone here is heartbroken,This you already

Oh God, say it's not so,Please not another friend,Too many I've already lost,Please no, not grief again! When I was just a little girl,

The quality of one’s life is not determined by length but by depth.  What that person brought to this world while they were here. I proudly say that my son Brian brought so much to so many the 17 years he was here on earth.   

  There are so many beautiful people in this world.  Each person is here on Earth for the Growth of their Spirit or Soul.  Sometimes, when grief strikes through the physical loss of a loved one, it is hard to remember the beauty within ourselves as well as the beauty that surrounds u