Grief

Hello Folks.  A friend of mine called yesterday to say that her aunt had passed away, having lived vigorously for 98 years.  My friend was crying and I understood so well how she felt.  Even though her aunt had been in poor health for about a year, my friend had been the one to travel to the assisted living center, the hospital, the rehab center, and her aunt's home to provide "care" for her in a myriad of ways.  My friend had called me often, exhausted, overwhelmed and sometimes even a little put-out because her own life had been put on hold.  Now, though, my friend spoke of what a blessing it had been for her to get to know her great aunt in the last few years as her aunt's mind was clear and she had entertained my friend with stories of herself and ones about my friend as a small child. 
I share this sketch with you that I call "Grief."  It represents my own grief over several losses I have suffered but I hope you see in it the silent part of grief that lingers and is triggered by small things in every day life that reminds us of those we loved.  These triggers often make us weep but sometimes they make us smile because no one ever leaves us, do they?  They stay in our heart and mind and we think of them and still love them, don't we?

Thanks for passing by.