Today would have been my grand mom- Nana’s birthday. Early this morning I received this email from my awesome Aunt Linda.
“This would have been Nana’s birthday. She was born in 1905, love you all! Linda”
Nana would be 109 today. And we still miss her!!
Here’s an excerpt from my new book, Grief Survivor~ 28 Steps toward Hope and Healing:
Are We There Yet?
If you took road trips as a child, you probably remember the question parents forever answer: ”Are we there yet?” As you regain your equilibrium you may wonder:
How long does grief take? As long as it takes. Each person has their own timeline and unique way of coping with loss.
Will I always miss my loved one? Probably so. But, hopefully over time the time of deep ache will be become more bearable, and memories of the person you’re missing will become gentle reminders of the impact they made in your life. Embrace it. It’s OK to always miss them.
Why are people rushing me? People, especially those who have never lost someone close may make insensitive comments about your how long your mourning lasts. If someone is in a hurry for you to “be yourself again,” remember they did not experienced your relationship with the person you’re missing. Take as long as you need.
What about closure? In the words of international grief specialist, Robert Neimeyer, PhD, “closure is for bank accounts, not for love accounts.“ The purpose of grief is not to “get over it,” but to get through the emotions of sorrow, and move toward healing and a full life again.
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As we remember Nana today, I’m grateful for the beautiful, strong, fun-loving woman who:
– taught me to love the Atlanta Braves,
– tried to teach us manners… oops!
– adored her crazy hooligan grand kids, no matter what, &
– prayed (on her knees) for us every night.
Love you, Nana.