Why Observe Grief in a Week Dedicated to Love?

…while grief may look like an expression of pain that serves no purpose, it is actually the soul’s acknowledgement of what we value. Grief is the honor we pay to that which is dear to us.

Toko-pa Turner, Belonging

It’s supposed to be a pink week.

Paper hearts, chocolate smiles and shiny kisses for all, right? So why rain on this puffy perfect parade with the black heart of…grief? Isn’t that just a bit dramatic?

Call it a midwinter review, if you like. The dark days of winter can do that to a soul.

Grief Has Many Names

It’s the dent in a now unused pillow

Empty chairs at a table once full of laughter

Dwindling Christmas card lists

Netflix at home alone, again

Reverse parenting of our aging elders

Map arrows following a trail of relocated loved ones

Nameless neighbors known only by the shape of their head in a car window