Grief can be a devastating experience filled with heart-wrenching emotion and even sometimes irrational behavior. There are many stories related to grief. The mourning and emptiness created by loss can last for days or even years. Some deal with grief by withdrawing into a dark sadness of self while others might become tremendously creative and productive in order to channel their feelings.
All of us deal with grief at some point in our lives and can expect more grief in the future. A memoir about the grieving experience can be the story of what happened before and after the grief-inducing event. These stories can assist others in facing their own times of grief or give readers something with which to relate in their own lives.
We each have our own way of dealing with grief and each situation of grieving might be different from the next. In all of times of grief that we experience there are new stories to be told.
Do you have a grieving story to tell others? Have you seen any unique ways that others have faced their times of grieving? What positive things can evolve from grief?
Grieving is part of the healing process. I remember when my brother died in 2006, it felt like a bomb went off in my lap. The sorrow literally made me weak and the tears didn't seem to want to stop. God filled my nights with dreams to help me to cope with my loss, but I have NEVER been one to hold back my feelings. I knew the best thing was to celebrate and remember my brother. The best way to do that was telling stories of or hearing tales about my brother to be wonderful medicine. I laughed, cried, repeated this process for days on. Family members shared recent and past photos of him with me and the few I have I dearly cherish. God filled my head with his voice and through my dreams he visited me. The comfort all these gave were unmeasurable. I know where my brother is today and I know one day I will see him again. Grief has to be experienced so the pain can pass.
ReplyDeleteMy most recent loss was my marriage. I grieved by crying a lot until eventually, little bit little, I felt normal again. Separation has been the most traumatic experience of my life, and nearly a year later, I still feel sad sometimes about what I have lost. Life goes on...
ReplyDeleteMy most recent loss was my marriage. I grieved by crying a lot until eventually, little bit little, I felt normal again. Separation has been the most traumatic experience of my life, and nearly a year later, I still feel sad sometimes about what I have lost. Life goes on...
ReplyDeleteGrief over loss infects many of my stories.
ReplyDeleteI don't really like to talk about times of grief all that much. I haven't been as profoundly touched by it as some of my friends have. One of my best friends has suffered through the loss of her father, all of her siblings (she was one of 4, now she's an only child), not to mention her aunt & uncle last year, and her mom battled cancer last year too. She & her mom are two of the strongest people I've ever met.
ReplyDeleteHi Lee - Grief is very personal .. and we all deal with it in our own way .. it's not at all easy .. Hilary
ReplyDeleteGrief is indeed one of the most difficult things to write about! Thanks for stopping by my blog.
ReplyDeletewww.marie-everydaymiracle.blogspot.com
I agree that discussion of your grief's resolution can help others. However, I think everyone needs to hold off publishing their grief until they have come to terms with it.
ReplyDeleteWhen someone close to me passed, I noticed so many people who really loved them would discuss their flaws. I think they were having to rationalize letting go. Plus, we all know about the big fight over the "unused paper plates" and "antique lawn furniture" that people can squabble over.
I recently edited a memoir and realized that the grief the main character was feeling was having to let go of her son. Her son was still alive, but addicted to drugs. It's almost easier to deal with the grief from an actual death than from a deep emotional loss.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting on my blog! JEN Garrett
Weird how I picked the letter G to read after just spilling my guts on letter P about my four brothers dying . I've got enough grief inside me to fill a few volumes but I try so hard to keep it in. Losing four brothers and two daughters has taken a toll on me and I'm afraid if I ever opened the gateway to my grief , I might never be able to turn it off and live a semi normal functioning life. I've been told that I should let go of my sad feelings and confront my grief , but I don't even know what that means. Besides, don't people prefer to be entertained when reading a memoir ? I really don't know. I just thought that - for some reason. I hate that I missed this blog during the challenge, but I am eager to read all of the posts over the next few weeks.. Thanks again, Arlee, for the wonderful challenge
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