So this is grief
The mailman who knocks on your door with a parcel
Do you open it, do you dare
It says fragile, handle with care
The last box you opened made you cry
But they were happy tears, from the memories inside
Of joy
Of normalcy
Of warmth
But this time you open the box and Pandora plays a sad song and those warm tears that once were semi-comforting are now cold
And there’s an emptiness
And the sun moved a little farther away from you
So this is grief
It’s sadness and peace and sweet relief that someone you knew and loved and hugged is no longer in pain and crippled by the bondage of a world that longs for its redemption
But you’re still here and your life goes on while their new life has begun
And they’re with God and you’re still here on this cursed earth making memories that they’ll no longer be in
So this is grief, as it visits me
Knowing that even though my children met you they won’t have the pleasure of knowing you like I did
They won’t get to listen to stories of what their dad was like while you reared him or hear you laugh the way you did
But I’m glad they all have had a hug from you to add to their collection of affection from people who loved them and were excited to watch them grow
So this is grief, my grief
Knowing how many people wished their mother-in-law wasn’t in their life
But I wanted you to stay
You loved the man I prayed for
You were the first woman in his life
And now I’m his wife and well, it’s a tough act to follow
So now I’m back at that box remembering the first time I thought you’d beaten cancer and how relieved I didn’t know I’d be
But that was months ago and everything changed so fast and that joy couldn’t last because God was calling you home sooner than we’d hoped
And now you’re free and isn’t that where we also long to be, and your life was spent to be where you are now
So this is grief
I didn’t know what to expect but here we are
It’s sorrow invading love and love living on, now wounded but moving on
It’s the cost of letting people in and letting them take part of you when they go
It’s coming face to face with the void inside our hearts designed for only God to fill, yet somehow He delights in making room for special people to love us too
And how I wish my children had more time for you to love them
—
In loving memory of my mother in law, Terry, who went to be with Jesus on April 17, 2018
jess leigh hanna 
This is beautiful.
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Moved me to tears. What a beautiful way to describe grief. The parcel. Opening it and discovering new ways to express it. Hugs to your family who loved well, who lost but continues to remember.
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Oh, thank you for your kind words. 🙂
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This is incredibly touching. Thank you for writing something that shares your heart, but will also help so many.
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Thank you. 🙂
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Beautiful writing on grief. It sounds like you had a very special mother in law. Thanks for sharing with us!
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Thank you. 🙂 She is definitely missed!
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This is so beautiful. Thanks for given a rare and new perspective to what grief really is.
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Thank you for your kind remarks. Grief is complex, that is for sure.
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An incredibly beautiful and inspiring portrayal of grief. This piece definitely honored your mother in law. I am so sorry for your loss!
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Thank you! She is now with Jesus and I’m so glad that we will see her again!
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Raw and authentic. Thank you for the gift of your words. Praying God fills the void and fills you with hope in your time of loss.
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Thank you. 🙂
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A beautiful expression of how grief impacts our souls. I pray it helps others find peace too.
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Thank you, Yvonne 🙂
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Very moving words about grief. Each situation is different, yet somehow connected.
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Thank you. Yes, pain definitely creates a unique bond between people.
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Such a beautifully written expression of loss as well as a tribute to your mother-in-law.
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Thank you. 🙂 She was a pretty neat lady!
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So achingly beautiful! I feel the same about my precious father-in-law. He’s now with Jesus, praise God! But oh so missed!
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Oh, wow. He sounds like a very wonderful man. I am so glad that you can grieve with hope, knowing that he is with Jesus–and confident that you will see him again, too!
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What a beautiful tribute! And you so accurately put into words what grief feels like and the thoughts tumbling around as you continue to live without your loved one here on earth. Thank you for this post!
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Thank you for taking the time to respond 🙂
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Such a beautiful expression of grief. Thank you for sharing so openly. I love this imagery of the parcel and knowing that we can go as far as we want to with processing our grief each day.
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Thank you, I appreciate your feedback. 🙂
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Quite speechless actually. What a way to express that deep and heavy emotion! Bless you.
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Oh my, thank you. Yes, it can be very, very heavy at times.
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From someone who knows a lot about grief, I would have to say this is an accurate picture of the dichotomy of grief. It’s never easy.
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Thank you. I’m sorry you have had to know so much about this. Praise God that He gives peace and comfort beyond our understanding.
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The heartache of grief is never easy, but always necessary for healing. Thanks for sharing this transparent and vulnerable tribute to your mother-in-law. Hugs.
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Thank you 🙂
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Ohmygosh this is super powerful and sweet and sad and hopeful all at the same time. I am so sorry for your loss. I can tell by reading that you have been with Jesus. Beautiful writing my sweet sister …
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Oh wow. I think that is the highest praise I could ever ask for as an author, for the reader to sense Jesus in my words. Thank you.
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