23 November 2008

last

i did not mean for this past week to be a rambling discourse of sadness; it started out as a simple answer to a simple question. in trying to make sense of my thoughts & to explain them more clearly, i kept hearing the advice of Brad, our funeral director...

"lean into your grief."

he did not tell me what my grief would/should look like, but he did gently tell me not to fight it.

we are reassured that we are blessed when we mourn. i became fascinated with this whole idea as i passed through the dark valley. this was not an easy path but it offered a gentleness i could not have imagined.

my words simply tell of my own "leaning into it."

i cannot imagine what it would be for another. but in it, i know we are not alone.

ever.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall thouch them. they seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us utter destruction. but they are in peace...as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble... those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with in him in love; because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect." (Wisdom 3:1-3, 6-9)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Requiem ÆternamRéquiem ætérnam dona eis,
Dómine,et lux perpétua lúceat eis.
Requiéscant in pace.
Amen

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes...those are sound words and Brad sounds like he has a special understanding.

He is right. Lean in to your grief, don't fight against it. Let yourself feel it, for what is it but a mark as to how much you loved them?

Only if we did not care in the first place, would we not feel such loss.

Thinking of you, my friend.
bella x

Annie Jeffries said...

Brad is very wise. And so are you to have heard so clearly. Yes, we are never alone.

Liza said...

I asked my Sunday School class this am what they were most thankful for.... family and friends... at which point they said the two were interchangable... some pretty smart kids... Happy Thanksgiving my friend and be thankful for all the memories-- good and bad-- for they have made you into the wonderful, giving woman you are today..

Renae said...

I don't have words. Please know that I care. I am praying God carries you through the holidays, and all the days after, with the comfort and peace only He can give.

Anonymous said...

Your words are so eloquent. I have none so I offer a Hug.

qualcosa di bello said...

bella...grief as a mark of love...a beautiful way to explain a hard thing. i am so grateful for your kind words...

annie...oh yes he sure is!! a man living his gift for sure.

liza...how i wish i could jump through the screen & hug you, dear friend!! see you when we return from the road (save a date for another thai experience!)

renae...thank you for your blessing & compassion. i am thinking of you often (& your daddy too...)

paula...i'll take the hug anyday!! & here's one for you too...