Each loss is unique, and requires it’s own grief. I remember the time when our 19 and 24 year old sons left home, one to college and the other to a job in another state. In a 2-week period we went from the “fab four” to a not so dynamic duo. We were no strangers to losses; as a military family, we’d seen lots of transition, but this was different. My wife and I decided we would own this with each other and other close friends, and unapologetically admit our honest feelings of the loss and grief. The grieving actually helped put the previous years in perspective, as we remembered the hard fought closeness that we had experienced with our sons while they were still home with us every day.
Love this. I’ve been trying to practice naming my grief, losses etc. A few years ago I was on a long walk and I was really sad because I realized that some friendships had changed and some had ended. It was the Naming of that that brought me to tears and I allowed myself to grieve it. I learned that practice from listening to Emily P Freeman. At times those losses still make me sad but now I know that I’ve named it and that helps so much. As of now we are grieving some other changes but again naming it and allowing ourselves to be sad,, not focus on it but recognize it’s ok to be sad about this situation. Thanks for this writing.
Hey Janet, I’ve experienced something similar. It has always been hard for me to even acknowledge my hurts to God, but I’ve experienced so much healing in doing so. Thank you for reading and for sharing your experience. It means a lot to me.
Each loss is unique, and requires it’s own grief. I remember the time when our 19 and 24 year old sons left home, one to college and the other to a job in another state. In a 2-week period we went from the “fab four” to a not so dynamic duo. We were no strangers to losses; as a military family, we’d seen lots of transition, but this was different. My wife and I decided we would own this with each other and other close friends, and unapologetically admit our honest feelings of the loss and grief. The grieving actually helped put the previous years in perspective, as we remembered the hard fought closeness that we had experienced with our sons while they were still home with us every day.
Thanks so much for sharing this, Chuck. I’m two years away from my oldest leaving for college and I’m pre-grieving 😂.
Love this. I’ve been trying to practice naming my grief, losses etc. A few years ago I was on a long walk and I was really sad because I realized that some friendships had changed and some had ended. It was the Naming of that that brought me to tears and I allowed myself to grieve it. I learned that practice from listening to Emily P Freeman. At times those losses still make me sad but now I know that I’ve named it and that helps so much. As of now we are grieving some other changes but again naming it and allowing ourselves to be sad,, not focus on it but recognize it’s ok to be sad about this situation. Thanks for this writing.
Hey Janet, I’ve experienced something similar. It has always been hard for me to even acknowledge my hurts to God, but I’ve experienced so much healing in doing so. Thank you for reading and for sharing your experience. It means a lot to me.