But there were ghosts there in the woods, lingering among the snow-covered trees. As beautiful as our time together was, I found myself haunted by memories of years gone by.
I told Ethel about the ghosts, about my grief. She reminded me that grief, too, is a gift. And, of course, she's right. Because in order to grieve, there has to have been something sweet and beautiful and good in the first place. And the memories made within these woods, along these snowy trails, and with my dear family, are truly beautiful ones.
And while mourning may last for a night, when grief's work is done, joy comes in the morning.
And now I have some new memories to add to my collection.
11 comments:
i love ethel. she is full of wisdom. thank you for sharing this.
Because in order to grieve, there has to have been something sweet and beautiful and good in the first place.
this i needed today, of all days. it's a grieving day for us today, and these are wise wise words, soothing to my soul.
You are so right about grief! In processing and praying the other day, I wrote this line: "Thank You for our grief because it reveals that he was here, that he loved us, and that we loved him."
It's so tricky, sometimes, to enjoy the moment and keep from getting lost in the past; you are so wise in your enjoyment of the moment w/ your man, regardless of change, loss, time.
Thank you.
So glad you can see the present goodness, even while the shadow of grief lingers. May your morning of joy come sooner rather than later.
Lovely post, and thanks so much for stopping by last week!
And grieving the sweet, beautiful and good is so much better than never living it at all. Thank you for that thought...and the reminder that joy always comes in the morning.
P.S. These pictures are beautiful!
You've put my feelings into words. We're trying to plan a family beach vacation this summer and I can feel the time is short to be able to get everyone together. This is what I was dreading, but you put a new perspective on it for me.
The beloved Swede and Ethel - "you are one lucky bug". Where's that from, Lovey?
Oh, Jodi, you are good! Mulan. And, yes. I Googled it!
This is a gift.
YOU, Nancy, are a gift.
"Because in order to grieve, there has to have been something sweet and beautiful and good in the first place."
wow, this is an incredible piece. such poetry in it, nancy... i LOVED it. and i miss you...
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