tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018633413564074437.post3156788517929646521..comments2024-02-02T00:22:18.479-06:00Comments on Okay, Listen Here: Good GriefStephanie Jones AKA Alicia Hunter Pacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03023631488715031414noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018633413564074437.post-7381565171272641192011-07-27T22:31:30.609-05:002011-07-27T22:31:30.609-05:00They are just things. But oh, I do like my things!...They are just things. But oh, I do like my things!Alicia Hunter Pace (aka Jean Hovey and Stephanie Jones)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13844329805282121486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018633413564074437.post-41979238706155126142011-07-27T09:20:48.620-05:002011-07-27T09:20:48.620-05:00I read a book called "Throw Out Fifty Things&...I read a book called "Throw Out Fifty Things" where Gail Blahnke encourages the reader to unclutter both mentally and physically. She says the real memories are not in the photographs or mementoes or pink sparkly slippers. They are in the heart. I had to remember that when I moved out of my house and into a small apartment. I've spent an hour a day for the last week going through "stuff" and getting rid of what I don't really need. I have some things in my too-sparse cabinets that I have not used since I moved here in October 2009. I doubt I will ever use them. Hello Goodwill!<br /><br />Grief is a process to be worked through. The divorce group I work with uses the 5 stages of grief as its basis -- denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. We grieve many things, not just the physical death. I have grieved the death of my marriage and continue to do so. But I'm working through the process because I know if I don't, I will never survive and thrive.<br /><br />I envy you those 220,000 words. I have been unable to write much for the past two years. And I hate it. But I'm taking some steps to see if I can unblock things. Keep your fingers crossed.<br /><br />Hugs to Kathy.<br /><br />MarilynPlayground Monitorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07444337591281145863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018633413564074437.post-6359884680614700562011-07-27T07:39:08.766-05:002011-07-27T07:39:08.766-05:00Kathy is in our prayers!! Hope all is well.
Jean,...Kathy is in our prayers!! Hope all is well.<br /><br />Jean, I have a few things I cling to: photos, ornaments, videos of the kidlet. But after the tornadoes blew through Alabama, I realized that I could lose all those things in a matter of moments. Then I realized that as angry and sad and upset as I would be about losing those precious recorded memories, I would be able to get over the loss as long as I was given the great gift of continuing to make memories with the people I hold close.<br /><br />Great post!Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05383099148014297450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018633413564074437.post-32975405694137169762011-07-27T06:45:21.433-05:002011-07-27T06:45:21.433-05:00Kathy, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Hope ...Kathy, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Hope everything is well.<br /><br />Jean, I understand what you are saying. I was recently cleaning closets and getting rid of things. For some reason, at this time of my life, I feel the need to lighten my "stuff" and learn to live without so much baggage. Then I came to some personal things which, while I was holding them, brought back such a rush of feelings that I staggered. I had such sweet memories and felt such love holding them - all things I had forgotten but were hidden deep in my mind. Small inconsequential items that had no intrinsic value - only a value to my thoughts. As I stood there holding them it came to me that it was not the "things" but the person I was remembering. I could hear her - "Get rid of this mess! You don't need the clutter!" So, I did. But MY MEMORIES are still with me and so very precious. Those are the things which give me comfort and peace: happy memories of being loved and safe. David is with you always in your heart and your thoughts - that is what is important!Cherylnoreply@blogger.com