What an important and meaningful initiative, Victoria. I too find it hard to cry. When I need to cry and I can't seem to unleash the healing tears, I listen to certain pieces of music that give me the opening to my emotions that I need. In the days following my Mom's death, I could only cry alone in the car while listening to a song that had the effect of breaking open something inside me that I couldn't allow while in the company of others or attending to the practicalities of planning her celebration of life. And on my recent journey on the Camino, it was a new song gifted by a fellow pilgrim, Forget Me Not by Marianas Trench, that allowed me to release the tears that had been building as I walked those 186 miles in honor of my mother, clutching a vial of her ashes in my pocket and looking for the place in which to give her, and me, a place of rest and contemplation. I found it in a private cove on the Atlantic Coast of northern Portugal, holding hands with my daughter. And the tears were a benediction.
Thanks for suggesting your essay Vicki. I hope others will read it.
It helps to counter the 'toxic positivity' of managing/trying to outsmart the yuck feelings!
I may not feel at ease experiencing the painful times, but I struggle less, and fight the memories less than before. Somewhere along the journey, curiously reflecting on the yuck helped diminish its intensity.
Exciting read.
What an important and meaningful initiative, Victoria. I too find it hard to cry. When I need to cry and I can't seem to unleash the healing tears, I listen to certain pieces of music that give me the opening to my emotions that I need. In the days following my Mom's death, I could only cry alone in the car while listening to a song that had the effect of breaking open something inside me that I couldn't allow while in the company of others or attending to the practicalities of planning her celebration of life. And on my recent journey on the Camino, it was a new song gifted by a fellow pilgrim, Forget Me Not by Marianas Trench, that allowed me to release the tears that had been building as I walked those 186 miles in honor of my mother, clutching a vial of her ashes in my pocket and looking for the place in which to give her, and me, a place of rest and contemplation. I found it in a private cove on the Atlantic Coast of northern Portugal, holding hands with my daughter. And the tears were a benediction.
Here is the song that broke me wide open, as I think it would any caregiver to a beloved parent: https://open.spotify.com/track/5BCF7rRAEIaKnFzzSshNmm
Thank you dear one, you know I always love discovering a new song.
Thanks for sharing all of this Victoria (and for including my piece here). Looking forward to digging into some of the other essays
Thanks for suggesting your essay Vicki. I hope others will read it.
It helps to counter the 'toxic positivity' of managing/trying to outsmart the yuck feelings!
I may not feel at ease experiencing the painful times, but I struggle less, and fight the memories less than before. Somewhere along the journey, curiously reflecting on the yuck helped diminish its intensity.
Yes, if only everyone knew, the key is to turn towards it, without getting lost in it! Great collection of resources Victoria
Thanks, Vicki. Means a lot coming from you! xo
So helpful to have this all in one place so I'm sure not to miss anything!! Thanks, Victoria!