Thank you dear Janine. Eloquently said and felt. Thank you! There's been several sparks, coincidental things that are just a little too coincidental that I'm holding as blessings. Yes, my journaling practice helps, as did the Isolation Journal challenge and mindful meditation...I'm grateful I've tools to hand. love and hugs right back xo
Thanks, big Sis! December was dark, but things feel lighter now. xo Wishing you a good start to the New Year...I'm imagining you walking through the beautiful white landscape of Ireland right now. Take care, keep warm! xo
So sorry for the loss of your friend, Victoria. A friend of mine died suddenly a few years ago. I find myself thinking about him at random moments. It's hard to imagine a person or people who existed, and who still continue to exist so strongly in one's mind and heart, not actually being here. Sending hugs.
Thanks, Sanjida, I appreciate your empathetic words. I'm sorry for your loss. I agree, we carry the grief and the essence of the person with us - especially those who've been integral to our evolution.
While our friend's cancer journey was fairly rapid (April to New Year's Eve), November was a VERY long period of anticipatory grief for all of us and ugly pain for her. Time cruelly warps. I always appreciate hugs! Sending some back. xo
One of the most heartfelt suggestions I was told during my own time of grief was the read out loud to the dead. I'm sorry for your losses, Victoria, and for the challenging times you are having. I hope you are gentle with yourself, and allow space to just BE. Hugs from Cambodia, xo
Thanks, Lani. Funnily enough, I did talk out loud to her and reassured her that we'd keep an eye on her husband and family. The most comforting piece was writing a poem to her, remembering specific moments and things that made her, her.
Thanks the last couple of weeks has been 'holding space' time..I feel lighter these days—December was all thick with anticipatory grief, until I wrote the poem.
Hmmm. A poem, then, distilled emotions and words. It reminds me when a friend said she wanted to write a letter to a dear family friend who had passed. xo
Yes very, despite having practised it over and over, with a phonetically edited script in front of me, I cracked in the middle...must've paused for a couple of minutes...and I could feel everyone looking at me, willing me on.. and I finished it. One of my biggest reliefs, not pride...it was a non-negotiable had-to-do-it thing.
My deepest condolences to you for losing your dear dear friend. I'm glad for you that you've found practices to cultivate that "inner creative sanctuary" and to soothe your aching heart. In the process, I hope you find that tenderness that is much needed in your grief. Big hugs to you, Vicky! 😘🤗
Thank you, dear Lily for empathetically feeling where I am and seeing me. I'm blessed to have 'goto' practices and to find new ones.
One of my big learnings has been about trying to stay open-hearted (soft front) even in grief, if I armour up I can't connect & miss people..so thanks yes, I'm choosing 'tenderness', self-compassion and openness over 'Hermiting' inwards. Everyone has their 'way', I'm rekindling old with new.
Beautiful open-hearted approach... I know just how hermitting can provide comfort but stifle connection at times like this. I'm glad you're doing what feels best for you. Big hugs 💕
Bless you, Serena. Thanks. I hope sharing these resources increases the probability of a caregiver benefiting from them in a time of crisis, or as a goto reference over time. So often, we don't know what we don't know and don't have good support when we need it.
Connecting with other empathetic souls like yourself is a great comfort, thanks!
The paradoxical bothness of life & being human — at the same time as writing this, I'm working with my mentoring clients (business) to navigate the start of the year. Cognitively switching gears helps a lot!
Thanks, Johanna. I'm blessed that the nerdy researcher in me loves learning, so I'm reading, listening and getting some soulfilling medicine. Right now I'm reading a Pema Chödrön book xo
Beautiful, Victoria. ❤️❤️
Thanks, Cherie xo
Victoria, so sorry for your loss. Feeling the magic along with the loss is such a huge part of life.
On the day I found our about a cousin's cancer diagnosis, I received an invitation to my great niece's 1st birthday party.
Life is a series of contrasts. Filling up with those magical moments to feel held during those difficult ones is definitely a balance.
I hope journaling serves you in that balance or however you need.
Sending much love❤️
Thank you dear Janine. Eloquently said and felt. Thank you! There's been several sparks, coincidental things that are just a little too coincidental that I'm holding as blessings. Yes, my journaling practice helps, as did the Isolation Journal challenge and mindful meditation...I'm grateful I've tools to hand. love and hugs right back xo
Synchronicities are always signs that we're on the right path! So glad you have tools and support to guide you. ❤️
Dearest Victoria - sending a gentle hug in hard times. Love, Jody x
Thanks, big Sis! December was dark, but things feel lighter now. xo Wishing you a good start to the New Year...I'm imagining you walking through the beautiful white landscape of Ireland right now. Take care, keep warm! xo
So sorry for the loss of your friend, Victoria. A friend of mine died suddenly a few years ago. I find myself thinking about him at random moments. It's hard to imagine a person or people who existed, and who still continue to exist so strongly in one's mind and heart, not actually being here. Sending hugs.
Thanks, Sanjida, I appreciate your empathetic words. I'm sorry for your loss. I agree, we carry the grief and the essence of the person with us - especially those who've been integral to our evolution.
While our friend's cancer journey was fairly rapid (April to New Year's Eve), November was a VERY long period of anticipatory grief for all of us and ugly pain for her. Time cruelly warps. I always appreciate hugs! Sending some back. xo
One of the most heartfelt suggestions I was told during my own time of grief was the read out loud to the dead. I'm sorry for your losses, Victoria, and for the challenging times you are having. I hope you are gentle with yourself, and allow space to just BE. Hugs from Cambodia, xo
Thanks, Lani. Funnily enough, I did talk out loud to her and reassured her that we'd keep an eye on her husband and family. The most comforting piece was writing a poem to her, remembering specific moments and things that made her, her.
Thanks the last couple of weeks has been 'holding space' time..I feel lighter these days—December was all thick with anticipatory grief, until I wrote the poem.
Hmmm. A poem, then, distilled emotions and words. It reminds me when a friend said she wanted to write a letter to a dear family friend who had passed. xo
I wrote & read a letter to my Dad for his eulogy, at the funeral service.
Oh, wow. My goodness. That must have been hard.
Yes very, despite having practised it over and over, with a phonetically edited script in front of me, I cracked in the middle...must've paused for a couple of minutes...and I could feel everyone looking at me, willing me on.. and I finished it. One of my biggest reliefs, not pride...it was a non-negotiable had-to-do-it thing.
💞💞💞
My deepest condolences to you for losing your dear dear friend. I'm glad for you that you've found practices to cultivate that "inner creative sanctuary" and to soothe your aching heart. In the process, I hope you find that tenderness that is much needed in your grief. Big hugs to you, Vicky! 😘🤗
Thank you, dear Lily for empathetically feeling where I am and seeing me. I'm blessed to have 'goto' practices and to find new ones.
One of my big learnings has been about trying to stay open-hearted (soft front) even in grief, if I armour up I can't connect & miss people..so thanks yes, I'm choosing 'tenderness', self-compassion and openness over 'Hermiting' inwards. Everyone has their 'way', I'm rekindling old with new.
Beautiful open-hearted approach... I know just how hermitting can provide comfort but stifle connection at times like this. I'm glad you're doing what feels best for you. Big hugs 💕
Thanks hon. I already feel lighter xo
You are so generous with all these resources. Praying you find comfort in this time of loss.
Bless you, Serena. Thanks. I hope sharing these resources increases the probability of a caregiver benefiting from them in a time of crisis, or as a goto reference over time. So often, we don't know what we don't know and don't have good support when we need it.
Connecting with other empathetic souls like yourself is a great comfort, thanks!
The paradoxical bothness of life & being human — at the same time as writing this, I'm working with my mentoring clients (business) to navigate the start of the year. Cognitively switching gears helps a lot!
Yes we often don’t know what we don’t know! But it’s good to know where we can go for help!
I so sorry for your loss Victoria and hope you can keep giving yourself the compassion you are in navigating this.
Thanks, Johanna. I'm blessed that the nerdy researcher in me loves learning, so I'm reading, listening and getting some soulfilling medicine. Right now I'm reading a Pema Chödrön book xo