How Grief Colors Our Lives

[linda marie]

I'd say that I have experienced as much or more grief in my life as the average person. My mother died when I was three, my grandfather when I was nine, my father when I was thirteen, my grandmother when I was 27, the aunt who raised me when I was 38, and my first husband when I was 44.

As I look toward getting older, I know that I will be attending more and more funerals. Some days I look with confidence, as one who has weathered many storms. Other days, I wonder how I can endure even one more loss.

Grief has colored my life. Sometimes gray. But sometimes, surprisingly, I find all sorts of rainbow colors in my experiences.

I'd love to discuss this, if anyone is up to it...

linda marie

[Sam Oliver]

Sounds interesting...tell me more. Sam

[linda marie]

I was hoping this could be a discussion.

But I'll start....

One of the colors I have discovered is empathy. It is a dark color, but sharp: sometimes with pain, sometimes with beautiful memories...

One of the first memories I have of empathy comes from when I was a child.

Often, upon find that my mother had died when I was 3 years old, people would tell me they were sorry... I remember seeing the pain in their eyes and the discomfort in their body language. I didn't know if they hurt for me, or if it was something in themselves -- a memory, possibily, or maybe a fear.

I knew it sounded silly, even then. But I would invariably speak up, with a voice that was tender beyond my years and say, "It's okay."

And I somehow "knew" it was -- although with every fiber I longed for a mother...

Somedays I still need to go back to that God-given wisdom. Somedays I need to empathize with that little girl.

But for loss, I'm not sure I would be able to.

[ATIQ MIRZA]

Allah (God) bless you Amen. Try to increase your social circle and be in touch with good people who empathize you. peace, love n hugs for you.

[Serena Ellis]

Linda, My heart totally goes out to you. You lost your family members in very short terms. I m so sorry for your losses. I know when we lost our loved one its terrible tragedy for us. I lost my uncle 3years ago and its really shocked me. I understand what your feelings now.
Life without loved one is very hard to live. I pray to God for you and my condolences for you.
((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))

condolence message

[debby]

Very sorry about your mother's death ! May god keep her in extreme peace and please relax yourself and see forward for better days sympathy words