Loving Through Loss: Day 5

TANGIBLE SUPPORT

photo taken by Sam Grable

For most people, asking for help is hard. And when you're already in a vulnerable state, it feels even more difficult. One of the first, and probably easiest, ways people offered to help us after we said goodbye to Charlotte was through meals, just as most do when someone brings a baby home.

My one difference?  

Request that people leave the meal on your porch. During the first few weeks, you may not want to see anyone and while meals are a blessing, talking to people may not be. I found that this saved people from coming up with something to talk about in our time of grieving, as well as saved us from opening the floodgates to innocent people.

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Loving Through Loss: Day 4

SCRIPTURE

photo taken by Sam Grable

But now the Lord who created you, O Israel, says: Don’t be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, your Savior, the Holy One of Israel. I gave Egypt and Ethiopia and Seba to Cyrus in exchange for your freedom, as your ransom. Others died that you might live; I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me and honored, and I love you.

Psalm 43:1-4

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Loving Through Loss: Day 3

ENCOURAGEMENT

photo taken by Sam Grable

After we said goodbye to Charlotte, she was all I could think about. Everything reminded me of her. And for a long time, my world revolved around our loss and our feelings, mostly because I couldn't imagine anything worse.

If you're in a season of loss, I want you to know that it's okay to feel like your loss is the only loss. Your feelings are important and should be recognized & honored. Grieve as you feel fit. Mourn as long as you need to. No one can or will know your specific feelings, but they might be able to relate. And if they can't relate, I hope they will give you the space, care, and time to focus on your loss right now.

As time has passed, I have been reminded that while my loss was devastating and unimaginable, other people's losses were important too. A loss is a loss not matter how you look at it, but for the person going through it, it's can be their whole world. Personally, I now try to honor each loss I hear about as if it's the only loss, even if just for the moment.

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