Journal entry by Joanne Negstad — 27 minutes ago
Recently I wrote "the best thing about me is my friends." That is so true, and I am beyond grateful for you all! L.L., sent me this 'thought for the day.' "Joy is the gift of love." "Grief is the price of love." Yes! That is my experience.
Joanne and I had much joy in our lives and in our relationship. I used to tease her that 'we had 48 years of married bliss and 48 out of 50 is not bad." Of course there were hours, days, moments now and then that were not blissful. But, in our years, joy often masqueraded as peace and contentment. Some times were pure exuberant joy, but more often we were happy and at peace.
That peace was internal. A recent study of personality showed that most people as the age move toward greater maturity. In our case that maturity also facilitated a more mature, joyful relationship of peace and contentment. The peace was also relational between two who loved each other deeply.
The 'land of grief' has revealed the price of love, as I live in the presence of absence. Sometimes I feel kind of wimpy, as I learn of much more difficult, tragic and sudden deaths. "Why am I feeling so sorry for myself?" I think. We had 55 years, Joanne died peacefully and a fount of gratitude. She completed her 'bucket list' of messages.
Yes, the pain could be worse, much worse and this knowledge contributes to the well of gratitude within me. Blessings abound to me, even in this 'land of grief.'
Blessings,
al
Joanne and I had much joy in our lives and in our relationship. I used to tease her that 'we had 48 years of married bliss and 48 out of 50 is not bad." Of course there were hours, days, moments now and then that were not blissful. But, in our years, joy often masqueraded as peace and contentment. Some times were pure exuberant joy, but more often we were happy and at peace.
That peace was internal. A recent study of personality showed that most people as the age move toward greater maturity. In our case that maturity also facilitated a more mature, joyful relationship of peace and contentment. The peace was also relational between two who loved each other deeply.
The 'land of grief' has revealed the price of love, as I live in the presence of absence. Sometimes I feel kind of wimpy, as I learn of much more difficult, tragic and sudden deaths. "Why am I feeling so sorry for myself?" I think. We had 55 years, Joanne died peacefully and a fount of gratitude. She completed her 'bucket list' of messages.
Yes, the pain could be worse, much worse and this knowledge contributes to the well of gratitude within me. Blessings abound to me, even in this 'land of grief.'
Blessings,
al
No comments:
Post a Comment