The Many Faces of Loss
Grief. Loss. They come in many forms. We most often think of loss and grief as they relate to the death of a loved one. A parent. A child. A dear friend. Yet, we can also grieve over a relationship, job, life chapter or a personal or professional dream that has ended. Grief comes out in physical, spiritual, behavioral, and other dimensions in our lives. It can be incredibly painful and seem never-ending. We can resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms in the form of addictions and isolation. If we let it consume us without resolution, it can destroy us and the lives of those around us.
I know from personal experience that the feelings associated with loss, particularly if cumulative, can create a rapid downward spiral that may take years to crawl out of to some type of normalcy in life. Tragically, for some, it may be never happen if the healing work isn’t done. It sure looked like that to me, particularly one fateful day when I no longer had the will to live.
Yet, it doesn’t need to be that way. People on the outside thought I had everything to live for and didn’t understand the complex layers of loss that had finally taken me to the darkest moment of my life. Loss of self-esteem and coveted dreams that I had for my life as a young girl; being physically violated as a child and college student; multiple miscarriages; infant loss of my nine week old son, Samuel; an ugly divorce, and so much more-they all add up. One loss alone can take its toll. However, as one loss after another mounts and without the necessary skills to heal, some women never recover. I truly thought I was being punished. I thought I was doomed to a life of misery and continual loss. My perspective was further clouded by alcohol, pills, overeating, damaging and self-loathing behaviors.
It was only when I discovered and went into my healing cocoon that I began to live again. The remarkable and miraculously exquisite transformation, gave me a new and even better life. I emerged physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually as a woman I didn’t even know was possible. The struggle, pain, and losses actually became the foundation of my metamorphis. I stepped forward in gratitude, awe, and possibilities again.
Know I see you. I understand your pain, hopelessness, and despair. Soon, you will hear more about my journey and you will know that you, too, can not only heal from your losses but can also, grow into the beautiful woman you were destined to be.
