It’s been a few months since I posted on here, huh? During that time I had a lot of events take place that really blocked my creativity. I am currently in the process of trying to unblock that creativity. While doing a free write exercise yesterday, this idea, which has been floating around in my head for a while, bubbled up.
That a lot of people have gone through what you are going through or went through. That your experiences are unique but your situation is similar to others. That people want to help, that people care. Even if it doesn’t seem like it or you have no evidence to prove so, they do. That it’s okay to ask for help—no one is going to judge you, because again, they know what it’s like.
That the grief doesn’t go away, you grow around it, learn to live with it, and learn to appreciate the things that happened and the things to come. That having grief isn’t shameful, as long as you don’t act on that grief in irrational and cruel ways.
That your friends love you. Your family loves you. The people you meet on the street and compliment your hair love you. The customers at your work who you make $13 margaritas for, they definitely love you.
That you are loved. It may not be hugs and kisses all the time, but it’s sympathetic bosses who give you coupons to the neighborhood ice cream shop. It’s caring coworkers who take your opening shift after a long, tough night. It’s new friends who pay for your lunch. It’s your parents taking you on a drive to get pancakes at 11 at night. It’s your friends calling you on their way home from work to check in on you.
It’s a well-loved teddy bear who’s always happy to see you.
Through grief, we find love. And with love, we can heal and grow.
E. A. Young Writes 