Same for me. Often people wondered if it was difficult for me to remember that my husband died and I would reply, "No, it is more difficult when I forget he died!" Fondly, Michael
Another situation is when people are afraid to talk about the deceased for fear of upsetting the deceased's love ones. It is worse to not talk about the deceased making it seem like they are already forgotten!
So true, Michael. The kindest anything can ever do--or has ever done, in the 26 years since Eric died—is to ask me about him or recount a memory, which always makes me smile. We have no new memories to make now, so each one is a gift wrapped in love. 💜
I love your "We have no new memories to make now, so each one is a gift wrapped in love." Great love brings great grief and no one can tell another how to do it! Fondly, Michael
Beautiful, moving and deeply relatable excerpt. Your memoir captures grief so well, and in a way that is both universal and specific to your loss. It was an honor to get to know both you and Eric better by reading it.
Oh, Kathy, thank you for this. We're as resilient as we are forced to be, I think. But grief is a universal, though it hits us all differently. I'm grateful you found something relatable here. 🩷
This is so beautiful and devastating. I write it as I watch my son sitting on the porch reading a book, not knowing if I would be able to go on if something happened to him. There's such strength here, and such pain. Thank you for writing this.
That's what I always thought, too, Jennifer. Though it's never easy and never not a monumental loss, somehow the strength finds us if we're open to receiving it
Thank you, Dianne. 🩷 We don't ever get over our loss, but if we're open we can learn to live with it, and find joy again beside the grief that's always there.
This is a beautiful excerpt, Casey. Those who don't know your beautiful book should indeed read the whole thing. ❤️
Thank you, Karen! 🩷💚🖤
Same for me. Often people wondered if it was difficult for me to remember that my husband died and I would reply, "No, it is more difficult when I forget he died!" Fondly, Michael
Another situation is when people are afraid to talk about the deceased for fear of upsetting the deceased's love ones. It is worse to not talk about the deceased making it seem like they are already forgotten!
So true, Michael. The kindest anything can ever do--or has ever done, in the 26 years since Eric died—is to ask me about him or recount a memory, which always makes me smile. We have no new memories to make now, so each one is a gift wrapped in love. 💜
I love your "We have no new memories to make now, so each one is a gift wrapped in love." Great love brings great grief and no one can tell another how to do it! Fondly, Michael
Beautiful, moving and deeply relatable excerpt. Your memoir captures grief so well, and in a way that is both universal and specific to your loss. It was an honor to get to know both you and Eric better by reading it.
Sarah, this means so much to me I’m deeply grateful for all of your beautiful support along the way. 🩷
I have grieved but not the loss of a child. You have expressed your experience in such a heartfelt way. And your resilience amazes me, Casey. ❤️
Oh, Kathy, thank you for this. We're as resilient as we are forced to be, I think. But grief is a universal, though it hits us all differently. I'm grateful you found something relatable here. 🩷
Just this excerpt is such a beautiful tribute to Eric, and acknowledgement to every mother who has lost a child.
Thanks, Char. I hope someone feels
less alone after reading this. 🩷
A powerful excerpt.. if you haven’t read the book, do.. each page holds profound honesty and wisdom.
Thank you, dear friend. 🙏🩷
Such a beautiful section, Casey, with your characteristic poetic resonance.
Joelle, thanks so much. 🙏🩷
Yes to all of it — you convey the weight and tumult, the numbness and slow pain of grief so beautifully, Casey. 🩷
Thank you for being such a constant support and light, Eileen. 🩷
This is so beautiful and devastating. I write it as I watch my son sitting on the porch reading a book, not knowing if I would be able to go on if something happened to him. There's such strength here, and such pain. Thank you for writing this.
That's what I always thought, too, Jennifer. Though it's never easy and never not a monumental loss, somehow the strength finds us if we're open to receiving it
Thank you.
Thanks. We cope. Somehow.
Absolutely. 🩷
The loss of a child causes endless grief.
I am sorry he is no longer with you.
My best friend lost her baby son and never got over it. So did my grandmother who still cried for her baby boy decades later until her death at 97.
Thank you, Dianne. 🩷 We don't ever get over our loss, but if we're open we can learn to live with it, and find joy again beside the grief that's always there.
Oh Sarah, thank you for this. Knowing others feel as if they know Eric, even a little, makes all the writing worthwhile. 🩷
Beautiful in the book and beautiful here, by itself, as well.