Life-Consuming Grief For Loved Ones Is Not What They Would Want For Us
Prose Poem
I’m not saying not to grieve.
Rather, to honor our loved ones
by living our best lives
while keeping them in our hearts.
Awareness of our mortality
prepares us for the inevitable.
But unexpected loss triggers shock,
and for the faithful,
questioning of faith, God’s plan,
and even God’s existence.
But, with time emotions soften,
and impenetrable grief morphs slowly
into acceptance with spells of heartache.
If we refuse to let grief run its course,
it will consume our lives
and compound beyond our ability to function
as more of our loved ones pass.
My tears still flow
and I have periods of melancholy
throughout the year
when I’m mindful
of Mom and Dad and Gram.
But then I sense their wishes
for my life to be full and joyous,
and my tears turn to gratefulness
for all the memories.
Grief or joy is not a binary choice.
Both can coexist.
Don’t let empty chairs at your holiday table
bring you down any longer than it takes
to remember what your loved ones would want.
Don’t make it about us.
© December 4, 2024 RidgeMagee
