Ever have a wonderful yet difficult summer?
I did. I'm enthusiastic about life and enjoy people—those unique individuals we make connections with, then miss when they're absent. My mom taught me how interesting they truly are and to value each one.
Mama went to heaven on May 31, 2012. Her cheery smile and gentleness are treasures she left for us to remember. That reminds me of my father who joked while raking up leaves for dazzling bonfires, whistled during hayrack rides, and roasted hundreds of golden marshmallows. Daddy is also in heaven…
All of us grieve the absence of certain people in our lives—and not just from death!!! Sometimes our challenges include the loss of significant and meaningful interactions with co-workers, neighbors, friends, and family members when we/they make changes in schooling, jobs, places of worship, residences, or end participation with groups we’ve been
involved. As I child, my immediate family moved often. Not only were we forced to leave beloved homes and cherished friendships behind but inherent in that process was the requirement to become familiar
with a new locality, re-establishing your identity regardless of being lonely or apprehensive. And there were always more goodbyes. As an adult, I’ve lived in several additional locations.
This summer, we were able to reconnect in the Midwest, in Texas, and on the East Coast. Friendships were temporarily rekindled and great joy resulted from reunions with never-to-be-forgotten friends and family members! It was wonderful. The problem? I miss those people who were once an integral part of my existence. These were only brief encounters and life continues in different arenas for all of us. Memories are simply little reminders . . . and not reality. While sipping coffee early in the morning, or watching as the stars emerge at night, I’m usually retrospective about my history.
While adjusting to any new phase in our lives, sadness comes naturally for a while until we come to terms with the change, perhaps building new relationships. Grief can include mental anguish, deep sorrow, remorse, and emotional distress depending on a number of factors. There are endless options on how to cope and move on. Frequently, people don’t know how to respond and encourage us to blow it off, forget the past, or ignore the pain and smell the flowers around us. Feelings shouldn’t rule us but they can’t be disregarded because they are painful. When considering them, we learn to be at peace with what isn’t or wasn’t. Creativity helps build contentment, develops a plan for how we'll respond to tomorrow.
Right now, I'm going to like a bunch of stuff I see on FB. It's just a little thing but will remind me of some cherished friends around the world for a few minutes.
I did. I'm enthusiastic about life and enjoy people—those unique individuals we make connections with, then miss when they're absent. My mom taught me how interesting they truly are and to value each one.
Mama went to heaven on May 31, 2012. Her cheery smile and gentleness are treasures she left for us to remember. That reminds me of my father who joked while raking up leaves for dazzling bonfires, whistled during hayrack rides, and roasted hundreds of golden marshmallows. Daddy is also in heaven…
All of us grieve the absence of certain people in our lives—and not just from death!!! Sometimes our challenges include the loss of significant and meaningful interactions with co-workers, neighbors, friends, and family members when we/they make changes in schooling, jobs, places of worship, residences, or end participation with groups we’ve been
involved. As I child, my immediate family moved often. Not only were we forced to leave beloved homes and cherished friendships behind but inherent in that process was the requirement to become familiar
with a new locality, re-establishing your identity regardless of being lonely or apprehensive. And there were always more goodbyes. As an adult, I’ve lived in several additional locations.
This summer, we were able to reconnect in the Midwest, in Texas, and on the East Coast. Friendships were temporarily rekindled and great joy resulted from reunions with never-to-be-forgotten friends and family members! It was wonderful. The problem? I miss those people who were once an integral part of my existence. These were only brief encounters and life continues in different arenas for all of us. Memories are simply little reminders . . . and not reality. While sipping coffee early in the morning, or watching as the stars emerge at night, I’m usually retrospective about my history.
While adjusting to any new phase in our lives, sadness comes naturally for a while until we come to terms with the change, perhaps building new relationships. Grief can include mental anguish, deep sorrow, remorse, and emotional distress depending on a number of factors. There are endless options on how to cope and move on. Frequently, people don’t know how to respond and encourage us to blow it off, forget the past, or ignore the pain and smell the flowers around us. Feelings shouldn’t rule us but they can’t be disregarded because they are painful. When considering them, we learn to be at peace with what isn’t or wasn’t. Creativity helps build contentment, develops a plan for how we'll respond to tomorrow.
Right now, I'm going to like a bunch of stuff I see on FB. It's just a little thing but will remind me of some cherished friends around the world for a few minutes.
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