
A common response to loss is to "get busy," with the idea that being busy will somehow ease the pain and keep sorrow away. Unfortunately, increasing activity
and getting busy is often used as a distraction to avoid the truth that "I hurt."
Early in my grieving the loss of my youngest son, Kevin, I was intentional about grieving openly, honestly and HARD! After a couple of years of intense grieving, it seemed to me that grief was taking hold of my life in a way that was preventing me from really living, and I decided it was time for me to "get on with my life."
As I "picked myself up and brushed myself off," as the old saying goes, I realized that I had no idea how to begin again.
I began a prayerful search for meaning and purpose, spending much of my time and attention on learning all that I could about grief and how it affects our heart, soul, mind and body. I also spent countless hours in prayer, beseeching God to show me the way out of the "shadows of death" into His glorious light once again.
I have read a plethara of books written by insightful bereavement professionals. I have connected and companioned with hundreds of "moms like me" through co-founding Mothers Like Me Comfort Ministry, and I have journeyed and journalled my way through God's Word. Through my prayerful searchings, I have learned some very important truths about myself, and about grief and loss. One of the most important lessons I have learned is that though grieving is painful, is it absolutely necessary.
My journey through grief with God, my family, friends and other "moms like me," has helped me to move out of the shadows of death into the light of Christ with renewed faith, hope and love. This morning, as I pen my feelings, thoughts and impressions of my journey so far, I thank God that He has brought me out of the shadows, through the pain, and into a place of rest and renewal. I also now know that no matter how "I keep myself busy with things to do, everytime I pause, I still think of YOU (my precious son)," and I will grieve.
"We grieve because we love." -Unknown
With Faith, Hope and Love,
Angie "a mom like you"
amotherlikeme@gmail.com
www.amotherlikeme.info