The Melancolie statue and Jan's Blessing for the Brokenhearted are perfect bookends for your discussion of grief - of expected grief. It is so true that grief does not follow a predictable course to resolution. It is more that a ghost that comes repeatedly to haunt us when we are least prepared for its return. Melancolie's missing heart and missing chest is a palpable reminder that those who grieve CANNOT hear or find comfort in the platitudes that so often come from friends who want to offer comfort.
This is honest Steve. Brutal to read though. I hear your lament and I'm sorry for you to be experiencing this grief. I'm sorry for your sister too. We have a neighbor here suffering from ALS and the slow and sure decline of her mobility. Natalie has been making soup and taking it to her husband each week. It's a terrible thing to consider growing, coming suffering. It helps to name it for what it is. Thank you for putting words to this. LORD, have mercy. Bring us more light.
The Melancolie statue and Jan's Blessing for the Brokenhearted are perfect bookends for your discussion of grief - of expected grief. It is so true that grief does not follow a predictable course to resolution. It is more that a ghost that comes repeatedly to haunt us when we are least prepared for its return. Melancolie's missing heart and missing chest is a palpable reminder that those who grieve CANNOT hear or find comfort in the platitudes that so often come from friends who want to offer comfort.
I love the image of the bookends. That’s a great way to read it. Wish thought I would have seen that. I like my smart friends!
Steve, I was fighting crying while reading this. Praying for your sister and your brother in law.
This is honest Steve. Brutal to read though. I hear your lament and I'm sorry for you to be experiencing this grief. I'm sorry for your sister too. We have a neighbor here suffering from ALS and the slow and sure decline of her mobility. Natalie has been making soup and taking it to her husband each week. It's a terrible thing to consider growing, coming suffering. It helps to name it for what it is. Thank you for putting words to this. LORD, have mercy. Bring us more light.