HOPE is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all
~ Emily Dickinson
In all our transitions, losses and grief, the saving grace is a HOPE of recovery, of healing, of transformation, of something new that is worth the journey. This common thread called HOPE steadies the course and keeps us looking forward.
HOPE resides deep within like “the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.” In the early stages of loss we may not recognize or believe we have HOPE and look outside ourselves. Any positive sign–a sunny day, a smiling child, a rainbow, a feather on the ground can bring us back into hope. Only later do we understand that HOPE has been there all along, singing “the tune” of our life, even though there are no words to describe the depth and pain of loss.
New grievers in acute pain may not think they have HOPE, but still search for it. I once saw a widow in the grocery store who had attended my grief group the previous summer. She told me how much better she was feeling and then confessed, “You know, you kept telling me that I would feel better, but I didn’t believe you.” When asked why she kept coming to the group she replied, “Well, I could tell that you believed you, and I hoped you were right. “ HOPE in action!
Grief is a journey that begins at the time of loss and continues until we fully integrate that loss into our lives. Our grief journeys start and stall, circling back, meandering and intertwining with the rest of our lives. We find ourselves at roadblocks that stop us in our tracks and junctures that feel familiar, yet as we move through them we are blessed with deeper understanding and meaning that we missed the first time around. These are places rich with potential and insight that invite us to stop and reflect. Gaining new perspective we move forward with hope.
This blog provides a space for fellow travelers to share encouragement, thoughts, insights, and perspectives on the grief journey for more HOPEFUL PASSAGES.
Please join us on the journey through transition, loss and grief to what’s next.
