In the recent past, I was involved in the care of a co-worker’s wife–they needed an IV and she was a difficult stick. She was in the hospital for possible pre-term labor.
I haven’t seen that coworker for a while and ran into him in the hallway. He was on the phone and I mouthed “how’s the baby?” with joyous expectation.
He left his phone conversation and gently told me that the baby had passed away at 5 weeks of age due to some congenital issues leading to sepsis.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I expressed my sorrow for he and his wife; I walked to the locker room. Instead of bottling it up, I let the tears flow.
We all experience sad times; it’s best not to deny that, but to let ourselves feel these things. If you don’t experience all of your feelings and ignore them, I guarantee they will come out in some other form, possibly in a more destructive way.
Grief can have its benefits, as much as it sucks. It can connect us more deeply to other human beings as we experience it together–it can build a sense of community. It can also help you feel more gratitude for the gifts in your life, of which we all have many if only we will see.
For those deep in the throes of grief–peace, my friends. I hope you find your solace soon; and can find the fullness it provides in our lives.
~Erin Glassman
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