Saturday, October 26, 2013

Grief Quotes

They say that time in heaven is compared to 'the blink of an eye' for us on this earth. Sometimes it helps me to think of my child running ahead of me through a beautiful field of wildflowers and butterflies; so happy and completely caught up in what she is doing that when she looks behind her, I'll already be there."
~Author Unknown
from Eve Somero Anderson

A sunset in one land is a sunrise in another.
2013 Feb 8 Our Daily Bread

We mourn because we love; we love because we are Loved. It is the Love of Christ in us that flows through us to those we love. When that flow of love is interrupted we feel as though part of us has been ripped away. This is mourning. Mourning leads to healing; healing is accomplished by the strengthening of the remaining bonds of love and the establishment of new bonds. With Christ as the source of Love, our love will again be made whole.
Jon Johnson 2013 February

For now, I remember grief work is hallowing work. - Kelley Nikondeha

Friday, October 18, 2013

Road of Grief

The road of grief has no shortcuts
 or detours. The only way to healing
 is straight through the night.
So shed every tear.
Cry every cry.
Think every thought.
Feel every feeling.
Embrace every pain.
Tell every story.
Ask every question.
Remember every memory.
Treasure every belonging.
Look at every picture.
Pray every prayer.
Sing every song.
Read every book.
Write every word.
And somewhere along the journey
you will find the morning light.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Tuesday Tears

I have walked a road of grief and come along side many as they have walked their road of grief. I am not an expert on grief and mourning.  I do not pretend to understand another's grief but right now I am in a season when so many around me are mourning, in grief so raw and fresh  that I have decided to share what I have learned on this journey. I cannot walk it for you or tell you exactly what lies ahead but maybe I can come along side, shine a little light and give you hope. I don't plan to post on a certain day or follow a prescribed pattern because grief is not like that.  I will write as it comes because grief does not follow time tables or predicted patterns. It comes as it will.

Grief is no respecter of persons. It does not distinguish between the young and the old, male or female. It doesn't care about the color of your skin, who your ancestors are, whether you are smart, ugly, rich or poor, a peon or the president. Grief comes to all of us, even old dogs and children.

My first encounter with grief was when I was child.  Both of my grandmothers died the year I was eight. Was the word grief even in my vocabulary? I doubt it but I grieved.  I remember that sadness and those songs that can take me back there even now.  Yes, you liked or even loved the songs you chose for the funeral but now forevermore they will pierce your soul.  Twenty-two years after saying good-bye to the Runner I can sometimes sing "Jesus Loves Me" without tears.  It pierces yet brings joy  remembering a little brown eyed boy who sang slow and off-key in that gravelly voice with his whole heart. Yes, Jesus loves me this I know.

"Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted."

Be comforted and wear red shoes for courage - Pat