An extract from Jane Gardiner, a widow who lost her husband after a 7 year illness, describes her grief in ways others may identify with:
‘Grief is another country. Some people know they are travelling to it; they have time to pack, to plan, even to book somewhere to stay. Others are jolted there in one catastrophic moment. And it really doesn’t matter which happens because... grief only takes refugees. We arrive here naked, shocked and probably wailing. And so I’m learning there is no way back to Before.
Yes, grief is a different country...they do things differently here.
Grief is where I live now. I’ve been here a while. And I can only tell you how it is for me because there are no maps or guidebooks. Each citizen must navigate this strange new world their way...
Grief is a different country. I wouldn’t have chosen to live here, no-one would do that. Its citizens are changed by their relocation. But after they’ve been here a while they hear about The Choice. Because even here, in Grief, there is a Choice. We can’t choose not to be here or change the way we got here, the Choice is smaller than that. And bigger. Just one little letter, but a world of difference. Better? Or Bitter?
I made my choice. And now...Grief is part of who I am. It’s woven into me and I can see the thread, beginning like barbed wire which slashes through my life, but softening as time passes, as my life widens. Grief doesn’t define me. It’s mixed with other colours now: laughter; singing; a new appreciation of silence; love. Some days Grief’s thread is wider than others but that’s okay.
Yes, Grief is a different country, but God is here, just as he’s everywhere else. It can be both easier and harder to spot him here. You choose.’
with love and prayers
Jenny
Jenny Gray is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Jenny Gray's Zoom Meeting
Time: Nov 5, 2024 02:00 PM London
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https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9510263785?pwd=bFJqLzF2VndYdUcxN1czTTJYNU1qUT09&omn=73273122351
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