You know you're making progress through grief when:

You don't always choke when you say your loved one's name.

Tears don't always well up in your eyes when you think of your loved one.

The CAUSE of death isn't the emphasis anymore.

Memories, for the most part, bring comfort, not pain.

You realize your plans don't include your loved one anymore.

You realize you are someone different.

You can forgive yourself for living, when your loved one did not.

Your identity is no longer highlighted by the word BEREAVED.

You KNOW that even though your loved one died, the love between you can
never be destroyed.

*****************

by Darcie Sims, Ph.D. CGC, CHT
Grief Inc;
SOS of Dane County Newsletter
Mental Health Center of Dane County

It doesn't seem to get any better, but it doesn't get any worse either. For that, I am thankful.

There are no more pictures to be taken, but there are memories to be cherished. For that, I am thankful.

There is a missing chair at the table, but the circle of family gathers close. For that I am thankful.

The turkey is smaller, but there is still stuffing. For that, I am thankful.

The days are shorter, but the nights are softer. For that I am thankful.

The pain is still there, but it lasts only moments. For that, I am thankful.

The room is still empty, the soul still aches, but the heart remembers. For that I am thankful.

The guests still come, the dishes pile up, but the dishwasher works. For that I am thankful.

The snow still falls, the sled still waits, and the spirit still wants to. For that I am thankful.

The stillness remains, but the sadness is smaller. For that I am thankful.

The moment is gone, but the love is forever. For that I am blessed, For that, I am grateful.

Love was once (and still is) a part of my being. For that, I am living.

I am living. And for that, I am thankful.

******************

Darcie Sims, Ph.D., CGC, CHT
Read at the 11-l7-07 Teleconference
SOS Newsletter from Dane County, Madison,WI

Well okay...still working on those after...22 years.

(((Doody))) I'm sorry. I have two sisters and just can't imagin being without them.

Making progress through grief.......

Is like a journey into the unknown...we don't know when the journey will end.

How many mountains we will have to climb... how many storms we have to survive....how many obstacles are before us.

Like all journey's, there will be tears , joy, more tears.. anguish.. knowledge. reflextion, many experiences....and lessons to learn.


When we come to the end of the journey..we will look back at our achievement with pride...........and take up the next one.

by David 01.27.....6/2/08 [ half asleep...and feeling philosophical...]