The Launch

Today I officially launched the new blog website dedicated to you and sharing my writing and reflections on life, love, and loss during my grief journey. It is Day 242. I have been so up and down about whether or not to do this.  Sometimes I feel confident that my words are worthy of sharing and will resonate with others.  Other times I feel like I’m sharing too much of myself and question why anyone would want to read it.  But after eight months of writing and sharing with family and a few select friends, I feel that this is something I need to do, partly as a tribute to you and our love; but also for me, both as a part of my grieving process, as well as  a long overdue creative outlet. 

I want to tell our story of life and love through the tear-filled eyes of my grief.  Not because our story or my grief are unique.  As humans, we all live and love and have dealt, or will eventually, deal with loss. Unfortunately, it is when dealing with loss that we realize how much we take for granted in the living and loving times. Perhaps my sharing of intimate reflections and musings will give voice to others dealing with loss who can’t get the words (or tears) out.  Perhaps it will help one grieving person to see that they are not alone in their experience and feelings of sadness or pain.  But more than that, I hope the sharing of my heart might motivate others to take steps in their own lives and loving relationships to avoid, or at least minimize, regrets later. 

There are two notable phrases I remember from Ms. Edgel’s high school Latin class: “Tempus fugit” (time flies) and “Carpe diem” (seize the day).  The loss of a spouse of 33 years at the young age of 56 clearly validates the importance of abiding these principles.  While loss and grief are an inescapable reality of our temporal human existence, we can choose to live and love better.  And when loss occurs, in so doing, I believe we allow grief to be less about regrets and more about the transition from the old normal to something new.

Having said all of that, I find that I am genuinely excited, and a little nervous, about launching the blog!  There is a thrill in sharing one’s creative work, but also trepidation at how it will be received.  I believe that you would be okay with me opening this window on our lives; and I sincerely hope and pray that others will find the content relatable, meaningful, or comforting in their own lives according to their circumstances.  So, I will keep writing and posting as long as the words come.  For now, the well from which I draw inspiration is deep.