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| Good Friends |
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| Good Times |
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| Good Life |
In this month leading up to the day of missing Mama for a full year, I find myself walking around with my teeth clenched and a terse, tense expression on my face. I’m still not sure when you turn the corner and stop experiencing the sucker punches that grief so readily deals out. But what I am sure of is that every time I’m knocked over by one, someone is standing over me, ready to pick me back up, whether they realize they’ve done so or not.
A, my sister, and I were talking about all of this the other day and we both agreed that we don’t want that day to have power over us, to bring us to a new level of low. So in the weeks leading up to it, I am carefully choosing my path, whom I need to be around to feel strong and safe, readying myself to throw a good punch back.
Inviting this crowd over was just the right move–a night of good food, fun conversation, and lots and lots of laughter (and one too many cosmopolitans–whew, can we say hangover?!) Yeah, just the right thing and I hope they realize how very special they are and that they are huge reminders of how good my life still is.
I love that mindset. Arming myself as well. Our parents gave us life, and they certainly don't want to take any of our days away with grief just because they have passed on. We must enjoy our lives to honor theirs. But that doesn't mean those sucker punches are easy to dodge.
I like what you said 'Eastiopians' – those sucker punches are not easy to dodge.
I believe that we can be grateful and good AND
sad – all at the same time.
Khalil Gibran wrote "When you are sorrowful look
again within your heart and you will see that in
truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight"
"We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for
our journey"
Kenji Miyazawa