Thank you for being here.

I’m so sorry you’re hurting.

I’m so sorry that you’ve ever had to experience the loss of something or someone who was once really important to you.

I know sometimes it may feel like it, but I promise you are not alone.

  • You are not alone if you cry at night. Even many years later.
  • You are not alone if a memory fills your body with emotions you didn’t know were still there.
  • You are not alone if you’re worried about future losses, the health and safety of yourself or others, or what else the future may hold.
  • You are not alone if you feel bad experiencing joy again- when doing so reminds you that life continues.
  • You are not alone if you experience ambivalence, such as both sadness and relief that your loved one no longer suffers or both sadness and anger about the way your loved one died.
  • And you are not alone if you feel like you should be over it by now, but believe you will never be.

My hope for you today is that you take comfort in knowing that your grief is as unique as it is shared.

When you are at your lowest low, others have been there too.

Others will, sadly, be there in the future.

My hope is that you sit steadfastly in the unbearable feelings of grief; feelings you think will never pass… until they do.

And that when they do, you are reminded that your grief is an outpouring of great love.

So rest today.

Let your heart know that she is seen and cared for and kept.

Allow yourself space to be thankful, happy, blessed, and aware.

Allow yourself to continue.

To be strong.

To be seen in all moments of being human, even your moments of grief, sadness, and love.

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National Grief Awareness Day – 2022