Sheesh. Grief. It’s unpredictable, isn’t it?
Sometimes it wafts in on a gentle breeze and other times it hits us like a thunderstorm.
Forty years ago, our daughter Ashley Nicole was born on May 1st and passed on the 10th. This year it’s been extra emotional for me. I think it’s the timing of Mother’s Day and missing my mom too.
I know, you know.
Grief is utterly uninvited and unwanted. It wars against every fiber in us because we’re wired to love and nurture life, not to say goodbye.
Whether it’s the loss of a job, a dream, or a relationship ~ grief is our common and unavoidable human experience. But while it’s absolutely universal, it’s intensely personal. And it’s often a lonely place.
So we’re careful not to stuff it or run from it. We breathe deep and sit with the pain.
We let our tears release what our minds can barely accept and what our bodies should not hold on to.
With grit and grace ~ courage and gentleness ~ we make a raw choice to keep our emotions moving up, out, and forward. Because we don’t want to give pain the last word and let it rob us of joy and peace. We want to thrive in this life, don’t we?
Thank God, for this beautiful paradox: We can turn grief around ~ for our good and the good of others.
A few years ago, I started a tradition. On Ashley’s birthday, I go to Jewel-Osco and ask if I can pay for a pre-ordered birthday cake. The first year, the manager showed me a cake with “Happy Birthday, Oma” written in pink frosting. So I blessed Oma, her family, and the bakery manager.
This fun tradition gives me happy tears and honors our baby girl’s memory.
This is Ashley Nicole’s legacy: To redeem pain for good. To trade ashes for beauty, and sadness for joy.
But maybe this message is too soon for you. If so, please know you are not alone. And if it seems you can’t move forward with your grief, maybe it’s time to talk to a counselor. I’ve spoken to many through the years.
Wherever you are today, I pray you experience God’s comforting presence. May you find Peace and Happy Tears.
“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.” ~ Isaiah 61:3
☮️❤️
Photo from Pixabay.com
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