Journal entry by Al Negstad — 41 minutes ago
Two more of Jensen's "Lamps on the path" from her book Healing Grief.
"7. Nurture Yourself. Each day try to do something good for yourself. Think of what you might do for someone else if the were in your shoes and then do that favor for yourself."
"8. Join a group of others who are sorrowing. Your old circle of friends may change. Even if it does not, you will need new friends who have been through your experience."
Reading number eight is a reminds me of how fortunate I am. Friends have rallied around me and that has continued all through my first year in the land of grief. With the constant support of so many friends I haven't felt the need to join a grief group and, I think, this blog has done for me some of what a grief group might have. Old friends have been attentive, they continue to do so, and therefore I haven't felt the need to deliberately seek out new friends who are bereaved. At my age I have several friends who are bereaved and their wisdom has guided me.
Recently a friend pointed out that now I was past most 'firsts,' which is true, but one that remains is Easter, the first without her. With Easter's movable date it falls three weeks later than last year, when it was on Joanne's April 1st, birthday. (I wonder when Easter will fall on April 1, again?) Frequently I've written about our congregation singing Happy Birthday to her at the Easter Service. Easter/birthday dinner was the last time she sat at the table for a meal and she did so for almost two hours. Fortunately the family will gather for dinner again.
Family and friends...I am blessed!
Blessings,
Al
"7. Nurture Yourself. Each day try to do something good for yourself. Think of what you might do for someone else if the were in your shoes and then do that favor for yourself."
"8. Join a group of others who are sorrowing. Your old circle of friends may change. Even if it does not, you will need new friends who have been through your experience."
Reading number eight is a reminds me of how fortunate I am. Friends have rallied around me and that has continued all through my first year in the land of grief. With the constant support of so many friends I haven't felt the need to join a grief group and, I think, this blog has done for me some of what a grief group might have. Old friends have been attentive, they continue to do so, and therefore I haven't felt the need to deliberately seek out new friends who are bereaved. At my age I have several friends who are bereaved and their wisdom has guided me.
Recently a friend pointed out that now I was past most 'firsts,' which is true, but one that remains is Easter, the first without her. With Easter's movable date it falls three weeks later than last year, when it was on Joanne's April 1st, birthday. (I wonder when Easter will fall on April 1, again?) Frequently I've written about our congregation singing Happy Birthday to her at the Easter Service. Easter/birthday dinner was the last time she sat at the table for a meal and she did so for almost two hours. Fortunately the family will gather for dinner again.
Family and friends...I am blessed!
Blessings,
Al
No comments:
Post a Comment