I wasn’t sure if I’d actually send this as my next newsletter. The feelings are still tender and new, but perhaps it may help you experience difficult times in a new light. By the time you read this newsletter, it will have been a week since its writing.
“I learned this morning that my dear friend passed away last night. I am shocked and deeply saddened. She has played an important role in my life and it pains me to know she is no longer here. I know I am being selfish in the expression of my loss, as she was a light to so many! At the time of learning of her passing, my own newsletter for the week arrived in my inbox. It is titled: Celebrate!
How could I celebrate when my heart was so sad? Is that even possible? Do I really believe as I wrote last week, that celebrating is a beautiful way to show gratitude and something that can be done daily? Yes! I do!
What greater honor can I give my friend then to celebrate her life? My heart, though sad, is full of an incredible amount of love and gratitude for this dear friend. So, I choose to celebrate the many years of shared friendship. I choose to celebrate that I had the blessing of her presence in my life for so long. I celebrate her wisdom and gentleness and kindness, her nurturing and healing presence, her words of encouragement and comfort to me over the years. I celebrate her complete acceptance and support of me in my weaknesses and strengths. I celebrate her generosity, her compassion, her perseverance and endurance and strength of spirit.
As I think on her and her influence on me and so many others, my heart is lifted and I can truly say “what an honor it has been and how grateful I am to have been blessed with her in my life!” I can celebrate with gratefulness in my heart the life of an influential, beautiful woman and I rejoice to know that I will not be denied her presence forever and that we shall embrace again at a future time. Such celebrations, now and in the future, are real and I might add, life-sustaining!” Yes, there are things to be celebrated, even in times of sadness or grief.
Love,
So sorry for your loss, Melanie. You wrote so well from your heart. You were able to go from sad to grateful. And that is true, let’s celebrate all the good that we remember.
Thank you so much Peggi!