My Grief Observed.

My dad died when I was 16 years old. I saw how his death affected my family and how, in turn, it affected our relationships. Over the past several years I have put together a grief collection. It consists of many things - quotes, pictures, stories. They've all touched me in some way and I want to share them with you.

[grief-observed]

I think perhaps I will always hold a candle for you – even until it burns my hand. And when the light has long since gone …. I will be there in the darkness holding what remains, quite simply because I cannot let go.

Ranata Suzuki

[grief-observed]

…the sad part is, that I will probably end up loving you without you for much longer than I loved you when I knew you. Some people might find that strange. But the truth of it is that the amount of love you feel for someone and the impact they have on you as a person, is in no way relative to the amount of time you have known them.

Ranata Suzuki

This year marks the year where I have loved my dad after his death, for as long as I did while he was alive.

[grief-observed]

I knew him by heart. And he is gone. I have not spoken to him for ten years, but I thought of him every single day. He is gone - and, just when I need it most, so is the rage I have nursed all this time, even while I told myself I no longer cared, that it was part of my past shut away and gone and done. He is gone. Perhaps if I say it often enough, I will start to believe it.

Ruth Ware

[grief-observed]

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Let us support instead of ignore each other in the year to come.

[grief-observed]

Gentle reminder for those that need it

[grief-observed]

[grief-observed]

Take the biggest breath you've taken all day.

Adriene Mishler

[grief-observed]

A shift I’m still working on.

[grief-observed]

[grief-observed]

Some gentle reminders of how to take care of yourself when it seems to be too hard. The last one is the most important.

[grief-observed]

And when people try to minimize your pain they are doing you a disservice. And when you try to minimize your own pain you're doing yourself a disservice. Don't do that. The truth is that it hurts because it's real.

John Green

Don’t allow people’s words to minimize how you feel, including your own.

[grief-observed]

I see you. Although you may be lonely, you are not alone.

[grief-observed]

I’ve become fascinated with the beauty of art journals. I appreciate that they can allow you create work that is so abstract, it limits concerns about “not being good enough”. It’s also a great option for when you have difficulty finding the “right” words but still need an outlet.

If you’re interested in learning more, here’s a link to help you start: How to make a grief art journal.

[grief-observed]

A reminder to be kind to one another.

A reminder that you are not alone.

[grief-observed]

My prayer for anyone struggling right now.

[grief-observed]

[grief-observed]

64 Songs About The Death of a Friend

This post has been weeks in the works, a promise ever since I wrote a post a few weeks back

I don’t think we talk enough about the aftermath of the death of a friend. I know I don’t. Many people message me about this type of loss and a common thread with every message is how they feel alone.

Music can have a great impact on our emotions but more than that, it can help to legitimize the way we feel. Like so many other things, if it wasn’t important, there wouldn’t be people singing about it. 

For those of you who have had a friend die, this post is for you. All these songs might not be to your taste but I hope you find out that speaks to you.