I lost my younger daughter in 1995, after a very long illness, and I know you are right. Only a few years later, my husband died after a battle with lung cancer. As I stood in our old country church one Sunday, and the choir was singing the closing hymn, I was suddenly overwhelmed with grief. Members of the choir moved to surround me, put their arms around me and continued singing. It was such a comforting moment and I will never forget it. I made a vow to always reach out when I know someone is hurting. I now live in a retirement community where, for more than 10 years I helped organize a special Compassionate Friends Service each December in memory of children who have died too soon.
This is so so true. I have been stuck in my grief alone. These posts are comforting and helpful. Thank you for all you write and all the goodness you represent for so many.
Leona - I've often found that Elizabeth's posts create a kind of group therapy for women to share their stories. So many of us are here for you if you need us
Thank you for this post. I hate the fear of looking vulnerable or weak or imperfect that often keeps us from being open with our pain and asking for support. We are all in this world together.
I dealt with a lot when I was young and have done everything I needed to do to heal. I find that shame is the hardest thing for people to share so I have found myself sharing some of the "stuff" I went thru as a child knowing it would open others up. I have been in several women's groups and I know I have helped so many women by my willingness to share those things that women keep inside. It's freeing to let the shame out, get support from other women (so many have gone thru the same things!!) and finally let it go.
I agree that it’s healthy to express the full range of emotions and it saddens me that so many people have been trained to repress certain emotions. When I was growing up I got the message that happiness was ok to express (but not too much), while anger and sadness were not ok. As an adult I still struggle to identify/express my feelings at times. Somatic therapy has really helped me. 💗
I lost my younger daughter in 1995, after a very long illness, and I know you are right. Only a few years later, my husband died after a battle with lung cancer. As I stood in our old country church one Sunday, and the choir was singing the closing hymn, I was suddenly overwhelmed with grief. Members of the choir moved to surround me, put their arms around me and continued singing. It was such a comforting moment and I will never forget it. I made a vow to always reach out when I know someone is hurting. I now live in a retirement community where, for more than 10 years I helped organize a special Compassionate Friends Service each December in memory of children who have died too soon.
thank you for sharing this - what the choir did for me moved me to tears.
I would add Hope. It is often what sustains us.
This is so so true. I have been stuck in my grief alone. These posts are comforting and helpful. Thank you for all you write and all the goodness you represent for so many.
Leona - I've often found that Elizabeth's posts create a kind of group therapy for women to share their stories. So many of us are here for you if you need us
I’ve always thought that fourth graders have the answers for all of life’s problems.
Lol...I reach 4th graders, and they do! ❤️
Thank you for this post. I hate the fear of looking vulnerable or weak or imperfect that often keeps us from being open with our pain and asking for support. We are all in this world together.
Yes, God hears our hearts cry and we are his hands and feet. 🕊
So simple and so profound. Writers have to feel.
I dealt with a lot when I was young and have done everything I needed to do to heal. I find that shame is the hardest thing for people to share so I have found myself sharing some of the "stuff" I went thru as a child knowing it would open others up. I have been in several women's groups and I know I have helped so many women by my willingness to share those things that women keep inside. It's freeing to let the shame out, get support from other women (so many have gone thru the same things!!) and finally let it go.
Yes!!!❤️❤️❤️💔
I agree that it’s healthy to express the full range of emotions and it saddens me that so many people have been trained to repress certain emotions. When I was growing up I got the message that happiness was ok to express (but not too much), while anger and sadness were not ok. As an adult I still struggle to identify/express my feelings at times. Somatic therapy has really helped me. 💗
You forget to mention scream. Screaming your frustrations out into a pillow can do wonders.
I love how you highlighted embracing vulnerabilities, it is something that makes us human yet we somehow fail to acknowledge it.
how true!
Again I take my hat off to you for getting right down and human. Good for you, good for us!