Happy March Linda! Just popping back over to let you know I will be featuring your post at my Sweet Tea & friend's March Link Up. Which will be live shortly.
Wow, thanks, Paula! We're all grieving something at some point. I hope it'll be an encouragement to someone who stumbles on to it. Bless you as we kick off a fresh month. Lord knows we've been waiting for some whiffs of springtime.
Oh Karen, I love GriefShare ... it was a true lifeline after my niece died and I've talked with others who sing its praises. Such a healing balm. Thank you for sharing.
I'm at a loss for words. This is just so beautiful and emotionally heartwarming and encouraging. Your voice is so soothing. I know your words will be with me All day as I pause & reflect.
I so so appreciate you sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my dear sweet friend.
Paula, it's good for me to know thst this was somehow soothing and heartwarming for you. Thoughts on grieving can be unsettling and most unhelpful for those who have found themselves in a tender place along the way. Thanks for the thumbs up, friend.
Oh Linda, this is a hope-filled, much-needed message. To hear that we can survive loss and find joy again--even when we can't imagine such a thing could be possible--is so encouraging. (I'm working on a post about a related topic that I would love to get your thoughts on ... will send your way soon.)
Linda, I’m so sorry for all the loss in such a short time. I do believe the equation of loss is an exponential one. Thank you for sharing your wisdom on this matter, and pointing me to the psalms. Such depth and comfort to be found there.
Praise God for the Psalms. For so many different reasons! It's such a sweet comfort and a huge hope to find our stories, victories, defeats, and joys spelled out in black and white.
It boggles my mind that one person could experience so much loss, as one tragedy unfolded after another. And yet here you are, Linda, joyful and content, at peace with each heartache, and ready to turn all the mournful experiences into help and encouragement for others. Praise God for what he's done in your life, praise God for YOU! And thank you for that Nouwen quote. To become a wounded healer is a worthy goal for each of us.
Thank you for sharing your grief here. I know I mentioned I am starting a grief companioning course by Jan Lundy next week. I have to choose one person I have lost in my own life to write about during the class. Hard to chose just one, isn't it? But you have lost so many in such a short time. that is quite a bit. My heart breaks for you, Linda! Blessings for your healing
This is such a powerful post, Linda -- one which deserves a wide audience. I learned a long time ago that grief doesn't happen on cue, grief bursts pop when we least expect it, and that the quantity of loss can be overwhelming. I admire your sharing and honesty as you continue your life journey.
Grief doesn't happen on cue. I love that, Jeanie! Maybe accepting that reality would keep us from going completely under when the next loss comes barreling around the corner.
And maybe not, right? That nothing surprises God is such a huge comfort to me. All will be well because He's in charge and He is love. I'm grateful.
Grief is definitely a part of living. Everyone experiences loss and heartache along the way. Eight in 8 years is a lot to process. The sharing of your grief is a comfort to all. Blessings, my friend!
You're right, friend. I guess one of the reasons we share chapters of our hard stories so that somehow those who hear will get a bit of encouragement, and embrace the truth that they are not alone, and that God is very much with us.
Saying I am sorry for your loss seems so lame and pat. We just cannot understand how God does things can we. My only coping skill is to accept that He knows what He is doing even if we don't. I give Him all the glory for all the things I cannot comprehend.
I admit to being frustrated for not being able to have the exact right words to explain how being fully surrendered to God's will doesn't keep us in a bubble. It keeps us afloat in stormy seas.
More often than not, for the big things in life I'm finding that there are no words. So, I'll just sit with what is true with a grateful heart. He knows and that's good enough for me.
You have such wisdom, Linda. I appreciate your grace for grief. 8 loved ones in 8 years - that would take anyone's breath away. I'm glad you know how to be gentle with yourself. Love you.
I guess we never know the grace available to us through Jesus until we need it. Be gentle with yourself, too, friend. You are precious in His sight ...
That is a lot of loved ones to lose, Linda. Eight in eight years is a lot to process. Thank you for comforting others with the comfort you have received and for your vulnerability in sharing your precious heart. I am sending you a virtual hug, dear friend.
Currently, I am walking through the long goodbye of a loved one. It is by His grace that joy and sorrow, peace and pain can cohabitate. Because this loved one is young, he is not currently using palliative care, which is also hard to witness as he powers through life, enjoying every moment but in more pain than is necessary. It's interesting to be at a place of support in accepting and holding them in my heart with where they are at, yet desiring more excellent care for their end of life.
Oh, it's hard to watch when a sufferer decides not to accept pain relief. This is something I had to deal with in watching my mom decline over the final half decade of her life. And while it was her choice, it truly was an awful experience to live through. Absolutely awful. It ramped up my anxiety through the roof, leaving me feeling helpless, exhausted, and depressed.
I'm not saying that people should choose their medical treatments based on how it will impact others. I'm saying that unless we live isolated on a desert island, the choices we make will have a direct impact on those who love us. It truly is a hard call.
Beautiful. So moving. So very true. Thank you for writing this for the encouragement and benefit of everyone who reads it
Kate, your words are so encouraging this afternoon. Bless you ...
Happy March Linda! Just popping back over to let you know I will be featuring your post at my Sweet Tea & friend's March Link Up. Which will be live shortly.
Wow, thanks, Paula! We're all grieving something at some point. I hope it'll be an encouragement to someone who stumbles on to it. Bless you as we kick off a fresh month. Lord knows we've been waiting for some whiffs of springtime.
Beautifully written. I forwarded it to my friend who facilitates Grief Share at our church.
Oh Karen, I love GriefShare ... it was a true lifeline after my niece died and I've talked with others who sing its praises. Such a healing balm. Thank you for sharing.
I'm at a loss for words. This is just so beautiful and emotionally heartwarming and encouraging. Your voice is so soothing. I know your words will be with me All day as I pause & reflect.
I so so appreciate you sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my dear sweet friend.
🤗❤️
Paula, it's good for me to know thst this was somehow soothing and heartwarming for you. Thoughts on grieving can be unsettling and most unhelpful for those who have found themselves in a tender place along the way. Thanks for the thumbs up, friend.
Timely as I’m trying g to improve myself in grief care as I work toward becoming a chaplain.
From everything I'm discovering about you, you'll be an outstanding addition, Mel ...
Oh Linda, this is a hope-filled, much-needed message. To hear that we can survive loss and find joy again--even when we can't imagine such a thing could be possible--is so encouraging. (I'm working on a post about a related topic that I would love to get your thoughts on ... will send your way soon.)
I can't wait to connect with you!
MEANWHILE READERS, check out Lois' Help for Parent Loss resources ... oh so good -
https://www.loisflowers.com/help-for-parent-loss/
Linda, I’m so sorry for all the loss in such a short time. I do believe the equation of loss is an exponential one. Thank you for sharing your wisdom on this matter, and pointing me to the psalms. Such depth and comfort to be found there.
Praise God for the Psalms. For so many different reasons! It's such a sweet comfort and a huge hope to find our stories, victories, defeats, and joys spelled out in black and white.
Amen and amen.
Oh my goodness, that is so much loss. I can't even imagine. I am so sorry.
Amy, thank you. From the bottom of my heart.
It boggles my mind that one person could experience so much loss, as one tragedy unfolded after another. And yet here you are, Linda, joyful and content, at peace with each heartache, and ready to turn all the mournful experiences into help and encouragement for others. Praise God for what he's done in your life, praise God for YOU! And thank you for that Nouwen quote. To become a wounded healer is a worthy goal for each of us.
If anything good is happening in my life, it's all Him. Every last bit. I'm grateful.
Thank you for sharing your grief here. I know I mentioned I am starting a grief companioning course by Jan Lundy next week. I have to choose one person I have lost in my own life to write about during the class. Hard to chose just one, isn't it? But you have lost so many in such a short time. that is quite a bit. My heart breaks for you, Linda! Blessings for your healing
I can't wait to hear more about this, Jean. Sounds fascinating. Will you be sharing more on your blog?
This is such a powerful post, Linda -- one which deserves a wide audience. I learned a long time ago that grief doesn't happen on cue, grief bursts pop when we least expect it, and that the quantity of loss can be overwhelming. I admire your sharing and honesty as you continue your life journey.
Grief doesn't happen on cue. I love that, Jeanie! Maybe accepting that reality would keep us from going completely under when the next loss comes barreling around the corner.
And maybe not, right? That nothing surprises God is such a huge comfort to me. All will be well because He's in charge and He is love. I'm grateful.
Grief is definitely a part of living. Everyone experiences loss and heartache along the way. Eight in 8 years is a lot to process. The sharing of your grief is a comfort to all. Blessings, my friend!
You're right, friend. I guess one of the reasons we share chapters of our hard stories so that somehow those who hear will get a bit of encouragement, and embrace the truth that they are not alone, and that God is very much with us.
Saying I am sorry for your loss seems so lame and pat. We just cannot understand how God does things can we. My only coping skill is to accept that He knows what He is doing even if we don't. I give Him all the glory for all the things I cannot comprehend.
Yes. I believe He knows what He's doing even though I may never understand. I trust His love, His plans, His character, His heart.
All will be well.
Wow! This just came in my inbox. Coincidence?
https://thesageforum.substack.com/p/a-letter-to-loss
Perfect. I love when God does this. I invited them all over to join us!
Awesome!
I admit to being frustrated for not being able to have the exact right words to explain how being fully surrendered to God's will doesn't keep us in a bubble. It keeps us afloat in stormy seas.
More often than not, for the big things in life I'm finding that there are no words. So, I'll just sit with what is true with a grateful heart. He knows and that's good enough for me.
A grateful heart is the key I think.
You have such wisdom, Linda. I appreciate your grace for grief. 8 loved ones in 8 years - that would take anyone's breath away. I'm glad you know how to be gentle with yourself. Love you.
I guess we never know the grace available to us through Jesus until we need it. Be gentle with yourself, too, friend. You are precious in His sight ...
xo
That is a lot of loved ones to lose, Linda. Eight in eight years is a lot to process. Thank you for comforting others with the comfort you have received and for your vulnerability in sharing your precious heart. I am sending you a virtual hug, dear friend.
Currently, I am walking through the long goodbye of a loved one. It is by His grace that joy and sorrow, peace and pain can cohabitate. Because this loved one is young, he is not currently using palliative care, which is also hard to witness as he powers through life, enjoying every moment but in more pain than is necessary. It's interesting to be at a place of support in accepting and holding them in my heart with where they are at, yet desiring more excellent care for their end of life.
Oh, it's hard to watch when a sufferer decides not to accept pain relief. This is something I had to deal with in watching my mom decline over the final half decade of her life. And while it was her choice, it truly was an awful experience to live through. Absolutely awful. It ramped up my anxiety through the roof, leaving me feeling helpless, exhausted, and depressed.
I'm not saying that people should choose their medical treatments based on how it will impact others. I'm saying that unless we live isolated on a desert island, the choices we make will have a direct impact on those who love us. It truly is a hard call.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Unfortunately Linda, many don't realise that loss & grief are as much a part of life as all the other experiences life holds.
As a retired Counsellor I agree with you, grief will not be denied, it will only seep out in other ways & at times rather unpleasantly.
I'm glad you hold a grief group. 😊
Blessings, Jennifer (Tea With Jennifer)
'grief will not be denied'
Absolute truth. And the sooner we welcome her usually unwelcome arrival, the healthier we will end up being in the long run.