Thinking of you & your family in this sad time! Maybe some mother-daughter time
together to do special things she enjoys might give her new interests to fill the space her friend’s departure has left. Hoping and praying she finds new friends and that you are comforted also.
My father, whom I barely knew due to a divorce when I was two months old, died suddenly at age 51 in July of an aortic aneurysm. Today I can think of him with regret, but without tears. I will love him forever, but time has healed that awful, tearing grief. Church helped and still does. I survived, but it really hurt! These older women are trying to help. They understand what your loss means to you, but are farther past the wrenching loss of a loving spouse. Praying for you & your family.
Jim, your continued prayers and thoughtfulness mean so much. It’s been an especially difficult period lately for my nine-year-old as she’s losing a close friend to a far away move. The compounding grief is heartbreaking for her.
Penny Sue, the dialogue between the new widow who wants to outrun grief and the experienced sojourners calling back gives this piece its unbearable honesty. The rejection of memories as a “consolation prize” honors the truth that at 208 days, memory can feel almost insulting when the body is still reaching for flesh, bones, and the daily renewal of love. You let the reader stand inside that refusal without rushing it toward wisdom, which makes the piece feel faithful to grief’s actual timing. Grateful for the clarity and courage in leaving this breadcrumb for someone else who may be walking behind you.
Thinking of you & your family in this sad time! Maybe some mother-daughter time
together to do special things she enjoys might give her new interests to fill the space her friend’s departure has left. Hoping and praying she finds new friends and that you are comforted also.
My father, whom I barely knew due to a divorce when I was two months old, died suddenly at age 51 in July of an aortic aneurysm. Today I can think of him with regret, but without tears. I will love him forever, but time has healed that awful, tearing grief. Church helped and still does. I survived, but it really hurt! These older women are trying to help. They understand what your loss means to you, but are farther past the wrenching loss of a loving spouse. Praying for you & your family.
Jim, your continued prayers and thoughtfulness mean so much. It’s been an especially difficult period lately for my nine-year-old as she’s losing a close friend to a far away move. The compounding grief is heartbreaking for her.
Penny Sue, the dialogue between the new widow who wants to outrun grief and the experienced sojourners calling back gives this piece its unbearable honesty. The rejection of memories as a “consolation prize” honors the truth that at 208 days, memory can feel almost insulting when the body is still reaching for flesh, bones, and the daily renewal of love. You let the reader stand inside that refusal without rushing it toward wisdom, which makes the piece feel faithful to grief’s actual timing. Grateful for the clarity and courage in leaving this breadcrumb for someone else who may be walking behind you.
Rev. Kevin, Your words, as always are a deeply healing balm. I feel grateful to have you following my journey.