June 11, 2020
“Honoring Grief, Honoring Loss”. That was the title of my class this morning. I cannot think of a more profound time to be exploring grief, and loss. I attach a photo I took over 12 years ago of a sunset that seems to fit this post.
Amidst the continued uprising and demands for change …
after George Floyd’s death and his brother’s testimony in front of the U.S. Congress;
and some movement for justice in the name of Breonna Taylor.
Hopes for ending of that which has been.
Hopes for new beginnings.
Amidst continued concerns about COVID-19 and the Coronavirus.
As of today we have a pandemic which has taken 113,820 U.S. lives. That is 113,820 family and loved ones grieving the loss of a loved one… and most likely not able to be with that person at end of life.
There is so much grief and loss in this country; in this world. Here are a sampling of today’s headlines with links for those who wish to read more:
“No-Knock Warrants Banned In Louisville In Law Named For Breonna Taylor”
“The Coronavirus Pandemic Isn’t Ending — It’s Surging”
“Couple Die 1 Day Apart from Coronavirus, Leaving Daughter to Raise 5 Siblings”
So much grief. So much loss.
My beloved teacher shared this poem with our class this day… Thanks be!
This is my prayer this night:
to take…
to love again…
The Thing Is, by Ellen Bass
The thing is to love life, to love it even when you have no stomach for it and everything you've held dear crumbles like burnt paper in your hands, your throat filled with the silt of it When grief sits with you, its tropical heat thickening the air, heavy as water more fit for gills than lungs; when grief weights you like your own flesh only more of it, an obesity of grief— you think, How can a body stand this? Then you hold life like a face between your palms, a plain face, no charming smile, no violet eyes, and you say, yes, I will take you I will love you again.
Comments