A special welcome to anyone who is new to The Grieving Room. We meet every Monday evening. Whether your loss is recent or many years ago, whether you have lost a person or a pet, or even if the person you are "mourning" is still alive ("pre-grief" can be a very lonely and confusing time) you can come to this diary and process your grieving in whatever way works for you. Share whatever you need to share. We can't solve each other's problems, but we can be a sounding board and a place of connection. To those of you who are suffering, I can only say, "Take the love that is offered, it is not a cure, but it is a balm to ease you through." To those who are further down the road, "Thank you for hanging out to help the suffering." And to all of you, "Thank you for being online, wherever and whoever you are. You are precious." h/t nancelot
Previous diaries in this series.
I am filling at the last minute this week, because Dem in the heart of Texas realized we'd had a cancellation and we didn't quite get this all coordinated in time for me to think about this diary a lot.
Still, I have some thoughts, links, and some funny images to share with you tonight.
I want to start by thanking this community. On the horrible day when I sat by my father's bedside, watching him breathe his last after a massive stroke, I had my laptop with me. I was using its speakers to play some friendly and familiar music for my father, and stumbled across WYFP, and posted a comment. Immediately I was given encouragement, sympathy, good wishes, and inspiration. This wonderful group of people has supported me, as they have supported others, and they're here to help whoever else needs them.
One thing I like very much, both as a way to honor people, and as a meditation/thoughtfulness exercise: virtual candles from gratefulness.org.
A good place to read if you want to see someone else's journey through grieving, is a series on grieving by Meghan O'Rourke of Slate.
Some cute animal photos, which I hope will cause you to smile.
I was co-host of a bachelorette party this weekend. If I'd had my camera with me at one point, I could have had a photo like this one:
This one is just because it amused me:
Another for the woozle lovers:
Another intensely silly picture:
OK, one more silly picture:
A pootie pondering dinner:
An adorable kitten from the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee:
If you have spare cash, they're doing a fundraiser to support a local animal shelter. Please check them out.
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I'll close with the beautiful buddhist quote webranding shared with me as my father was dying, because it did help me feel better:
May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings of body and mind quickly be freed from their illnesses.
May those frightened cease to be afraid, and may those bound be free.
May the powerless find power, and may people think of befriending one another.
May those who find themselves in trackless, fearful wilderness— the children, the aged, the unprotected—be guarded by beneficent celestial, and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood.