How to Grieve- It’s Not the Same For Everyone Part 1

Grieving is a seemingly an odd hopeless process and when we are in the midst of it,  we think it will consume us and we wonder how we will get through the next second,  minute,  hour,  day… 

I know….I have had to grieve many a loss.  I bet you have too.  Whether the loss of a loved one,  a loss of a job,  a loss of expectations we have for a relationship…whatever brings about our deep grief…we have all been there…sometimes we just don’t know it.

“How to Grieve”  is a short series that I pray will help those that feel “stuck” in the odd and sometimes seemingly hopeless process of Grieving.

One week ago we were driving back from our annual family Christmas.  We had a really nice time..its always so nice to see family that we only see once or twice a year.   Christmas has changed over the years.. my little sister is gone now..she died 11 years ago on Dec. 18.  My grief now has turned to a smile knowing that she is in heaven and healed but for many years after her death,  Christmas was just so sad….

Anyway,  it’s a fairly long trip and as usual I had to go to the bathroom…I know,  too much information…

We stopped at a gas station..don’t cringe..it was a decent one..and as always I popped out of the car as the rest of my family  “patiently”  waited for me to return.  This gas station was really busy..the line at the counter was long,  so I scanned the little store for the restroom sign and headed on over there.  Rats..the door was locked..I guess I would have to wait another minute…

I stood staring at the stacks and stacks of canned food and booze in the back of the store, thinking about how unorganized they were..just spacing out.. waiting… When all of a sudden I was jarred from my daze by a man in line at the counter yelling something about things were taking too long and that he didn’t have time to wait and @@##$%,  well you get the picture…

I could feel my insides panic…I searched around in my mind,  looking at the stacks of food again,  as to where I might hide if this man pulled out a gun and began shooting. 

What?  One week ago before the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School I would have just thought to myself…oh brother what a grouch..

The man stormed out of the store and left…

We have all been traumatized by this horrifying incident in Connecticut..beautiful,  innocent and loved children and adults murdered.  We will all mourn for them and for there families for a long time..and sometimes we don’t know the depths of the effects on us until an odd incident like that at the grocery store/gas station happens.

I realized that I had been effected more than I thought by this horrific incident…and I began to think once again about grief…and the process it takes to come out on the other side and the shear fortitude of those that must endure it and the God that never ever..no not even once, takes His eyes off of us.

Are you grieving?

I hope you will journey with me for a few days..

Part 2 and Part 3