Love sorrow. She is yours now, and you must
take care of what has been given
–Mary Oliver, from “Love Sorrow.”
My dad’s birthday is in a few days. He would have been 87. How do I handle this first birthday without him?
Grief and I have been wrestling for control over my emotions the last few days. This is a busy time, so I keep reminding myself that I don’t have time to fall apart. But sorrow is no respecter of persons, does not yield to schedules or timelines. It expects me to bow in obeisance. I resist…at first. Eventually, I give in because I am neither monster nor machine, and I cannot control this thing.
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Beautiful piece Chandra. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
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Thank you, Sheila.
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Grief is natural and won’t leave you completely. You have learned and will learn to live with it. But it will come back in waves, sometimes like the sweet soft lapping waves from a lagoon, sometimes a raging storm, which has been predictable, cos the signs (like anniversaries) have been there and at times it will overwhelm you out of the blue, like tsunami.
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Thank you for your wisdom. You always share such heartening insight…
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Sending love.
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Thank you.
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Grief indeed cannot be controlled. May the Lord be with you as this day comes up.
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Thank you.
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I sympathize with you, and it makes me realize that I will still have grief next year (my Dad died in June last month at 98). Both my parents are now dead, so I know that holidays will never be the same again. I know that my urges to call and talk can never be again. Losing a parent is difficult. The important thing is to acknowledge the grief, and allow it to take place. Memories will sometimes bring smiles too. I pray you will have many smiles.
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Thank you, Janet. Oh, I’m sorry for your losses. Hugs and prayers for you too.
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God’s blessings and comfort as you face this difficult day.
I absolutely love your last sentence. So rightly and squarely said.
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Thank you…and thank you…
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Prayed for you for God’s comfort
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Thank you, friend!
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Sometimes, surrender isn’t a choice; it’s mandatory.
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Right.
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