Oh. Oh, oh, oh. Thank you for spilling this out, for letting your lovely voice tell such hard and beautiful things. I am so sorry for your loss, dear Laura - and I am 25 years further down the road than you, and I know you are not done with grief. Ever. But grief makes room for the company of good things - the re-working of memory, the gift of connection with other dear ones, the hard-edged yet beautiful - dare I say, exquisite - reality that is life now, without that one you loved so imperfectly(as we all do, right?). May the gift of tears mixed with sweet laughter be yours in abundance as you re-enter life without your dad’s physical presence.
Diana, thank you so much for this bit of wisdom. Grief is surprising me, but I think I’m beginning to feel some of the transformative parts that you describe. The kindness of friends has been a small part of that 💜
Oh Laura. I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve had to say goodby to your Dad. This is such a beautiful, tender reflection on family and roots and the birds who sing over it all...I’m praying comfort for you heart. I wish I could give you a hug or read you a poem, or walk the woods beside you. 😔I pray that Jesus meets you tenderly in this new landscape. ❤️🩹🙏🏼
Thank you, sweet friend. Your thoughts and prayers mean so much right now. We are learning a new way of being in a world without our father. It feels so strange and I know it hasn’t been fully realized by my heart yet. Grateful for you 💜
I am so sorry, Laura. Every time I see my own dad now (he’s 96), I wonder if that’s the last time. He’s forgotten so much of his past life--doesn’t even remember having lived on the lake or building our little motel or the bigger house. (He does remember delivering a baby in the back of an ambulance.) It’s a slow grieving. D and I stopped by the lake when we were up there a couple weeks ago, and I just breathed that air.
Prayers for you and your family in the grieving and the memories and in finding a new “normal.” And keep those eyes up and ears open to those songs.
Thank you, beautiful friend. How wonderful that father has had such long life! My dads dad lived to almost 101, and if he hadn’t been a smoker all his life, I can’t help wondering. Thank you for your prayers. Love you.
My dad has(had) been a lifelong smoker, too. He always claimed that someday they'd discover that smoking was beneficial. Of course, he hasn't been able to smoke since he had his heart attack and now in longterm care.
Love you back! Also miss you. I wish I could hug your neck.
Oh, Laura. I’m so very sorry for your loss. May the Lord uphold you with His everlasting arms. May the Paraclete draw you close and speak words of comfort and truth. May the good memories grow larger than the painful ones. Much love. ❤️🩹🫂
A quick message ,dashed off as a comment feels so inadequate to acknowledge your grief...I will love you from here(and perhaps in conversation later) and thank you for sharing some of the story of your heart❤️
Beautifully written, Laura. Thank you for sharing your grief. It is a gift. I'm sorry for your loss. I join you in holding the memories close as Father's day approaches.
Oh. Oh, oh, oh. Thank you for spilling this out, for letting your lovely voice tell such hard and beautiful things. I am so sorry for your loss, dear Laura - and I am 25 years further down the road than you, and I know you are not done with grief. Ever. But grief makes room for the company of good things - the re-working of memory, the gift of connection with other dear ones, the hard-edged yet beautiful - dare I say, exquisite - reality that is life now, without that one you loved so imperfectly(as we all do, right?). May the gift of tears mixed with sweet laughter be yours in abundance as you re-enter life without your dad’s physical presence.
Diana, thank you so much for this bit of wisdom. Grief is surprising me, but I think I’m beginning to feel some of the transformative parts that you describe. The kindness of friends has been a small part of that 💜
Oh Laura. I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve had to say goodby to your Dad. This is such a beautiful, tender reflection on family and roots and the birds who sing over it all...I’m praying comfort for you heart. I wish I could give you a hug or read you a poem, or walk the woods beside you. 😔I pray that Jesus meets you tenderly in this new landscape. ❤️🩹🙏🏼
Thank you, sweet friend. Your thoughts and prayers mean so much right now. We are learning a new way of being in a world without our father. It feels so strange and I know it hasn’t been fully realized by my heart yet. Grateful for you 💜
I am so sorry, Laura. Every time I see my own dad now (he’s 96), I wonder if that’s the last time. He’s forgotten so much of his past life--doesn’t even remember having lived on the lake or building our little motel or the bigger house. (He does remember delivering a baby in the back of an ambulance.) It’s a slow grieving. D and I stopped by the lake when we were up there a couple weeks ago, and I just breathed that air.
Prayers for you and your family in the grieving and the memories and in finding a new “normal.” And keep those eyes up and ears open to those songs.
Thank you, beautiful friend. How wonderful that father has had such long life! My dads dad lived to almost 101, and if he hadn’t been a smoker all his life, I can’t help wondering. Thank you for your prayers. Love you.
101, Wow!
My dad has(had) been a lifelong smoker, too. He always claimed that someday they'd discover that smoking was beneficial. Of course, he hasn't been able to smoke since he had his heart attack and now in longterm care.
Love you back! Also miss you. I wish I could hug your neck.
Oh, Laura. I’m so very sorry for your loss. May the Lord uphold you with His everlasting arms. May the Paraclete draw you close and speak words of comfort and truth. May the good memories grow larger than the painful ones. Much love. ❤️🩹🫂
Thank you a thousand times for your prayers and this beautiful blessing, christina. It means more than I can say 🩷
A quick message ,dashed off as a comment feels so inadequate to acknowledge your grief...I will love you from here(and perhaps in conversation later) and thank you for sharing some of the story of your heart❤️
I can feel your love, friend. So grateful for your presence in my life 💔
Beautifully written, Laura. Thank you for sharing your grief. It is a gift. I'm sorry for your loss. I join you in holding the memories close as Father's day approaches.
Thank you, June. 💜
Friend. When Jesus spoke these words into your soul, did He tell you that I would need them like air today?
I am sorry for your loss and holding your heart to Jesus. Thank you a thousand times for sharing your words, for sharing you with us.
You are a gift to me, friend. I I’ve you.