This really touched me. I'm holding space for all of the losses you mentioned, and thinking about how you showed up for your friend. I particularly relate to the quote about buying a condolence card but never sending it -- it's such a common experience; not being able to find the right words, wanting to show up but not knowing quite how to do so. It's so important to be there for one another and hold on to our close relationships.
Thank you for taking the time to share this, Alexa, and for holding space for all the losses mentioned. I appreciate it and am glad that this really touched you. Yes, finding the right words can be hard in moments like these but being there for one another is critical. Thanks again.
Meaning is all around us but easier to understand at sometimes like this more than at others. Souls never die and parting is a temporary thing, and this is why it makes a real difference to express such gratitude for the time we have together. Investing joy is the greatest action we can invoke.
This: "this is why it makes a real difference to express such gratitude for the time we have together. Investing joy is the greatest action we can invoke."
A powerful reminder for us all - thank you for sharing, PJ.
This is lovely, Bryce. I remember going to a funeral for a high school friend the year after we graduated. Sadly, it wasn't the first funeral for a high school friend; that was college freshman year's spring break. I remember how gracious his parents and older sister were, how they stood there and received each guest at the wake with glassy-eyed smiles, thanking us for attending and appreciating our awkward condolences (the English language/American culture is lacking in that regard). That grace and courage has stuck with me since, and your friend and her family have that. What a celebration of that little life to give flowers to those who came to mourn. That is love. And it's beautiful Thank you for sharing. xo
Sandra, Thank you so much for sharing this remembrance and reflection. That must have been hard to lose high school friends so early. I can only begin to imagine the sense of loss for his parents. Their grace and courage clearly made an impression on you that day that you can recall it even today. I agree my friend and her family also have it. It is beautiful.
I also agree with you that the English language and American culture can be awkward and lacking in this regard.
I'm so thankful that you shared this! It's lovely in so many ways. So sorry to hear about this loss, though. You treated their story respectfully and gently.
I'm so glad - thank you, Sue! I appreciate you sharing your feedback as it validates my decision to share this story. I wrestled with with it - I began writing on this and then started over with an unrelated topic before coming back to write it anew. I'm grateful that the respect and gentleness came through.
This really touched me. I'm holding space for all of the losses you mentioned, and thinking about how you showed up for your friend. I particularly relate to the quote about buying a condolence card but never sending it -- it's such a common experience; not being able to find the right words, wanting to show up but not knowing quite how to do so. It's so important to be there for one another and hold on to our close relationships.
Thank you for taking the time to share this, Alexa, and for holding space for all the losses mentioned. I appreciate it and am glad that this really touched you. Yes, finding the right words can be hard in moments like these but being there for one another is critical. Thanks again.
Meaning is all around us but easier to understand at sometimes like this more than at others. Souls never die and parting is a temporary thing, and this is why it makes a real difference to express such gratitude for the time we have together. Investing joy is the greatest action we can invoke.
Thank you for sharing.
This: "this is why it makes a real difference to express such gratitude for the time we have together. Investing joy is the greatest action we can invoke."
A powerful reminder for us all - thank you for sharing, PJ.
This is lovely, Bryce. I remember going to a funeral for a high school friend the year after we graduated. Sadly, it wasn't the first funeral for a high school friend; that was college freshman year's spring break. I remember how gracious his parents and older sister were, how they stood there and received each guest at the wake with glassy-eyed smiles, thanking us for attending and appreciating our awkward condolences (the English language/American culture is lacking in that regard). That grace and courage has stuck with me since, and your friend and her family have that. What a celebration of that little life to give flowers to those who came to mourn. That is love. And it's beautiful Thank you for sharing. xo
Sandra, Thank you so much for sharing this remembrance and reflection. That must have been hard to lose high school friends so early. I can only begin to imagine the sense of loss for his parents. Their grace and courage clearly made an impression on you that day that you can recall it even today. I agree my friend and her family also have it. It is beautiful.
I also agree with you that the English language and American culture can be awkward and lacking in this regard.
Thank you again for sharing. 🙏
I'm so thankful that you shared this! It's lovely in so many ways. So sorry to hear about this loss, though. You treated their story respectfully and gently.
I'm so glad - thank you, Sue! I appreciate you sharing your feedback as it validates my decision to share this story. I wrestled with with it - I began writing on this and then started over with an unrelated topic before coming back to write it anew. I'm grateful that the respect and gentleness came through.