Hello Amy,
It’s the end of. summer…or is it? As I write this, the northeast is in the middle of a heat wave. Temperatures are climbing above 90 degrees. It’s warmer than it has been for most of the. summer. While I know that summer still has about 3 weeks left there’s something about the start of September that signals, at least for me, the end of summer. Perhaps it’s children returning to school or the start of leaves falling, or maybe. the proliferation of pumpkin-flavored everything that rushes fall. I’m not sure. And, while I love autumn. I’m not ready to say farewell to summer and sitting on my porch, picnicking, enjoying the brightness of summer’s blooms.
This week, the US and Canada, observed Labor Day, a time to honor the contributions and achievements of American workers. However, for those struggling with infertility or grieving the loss of a child, just the name of this holiday can be a painful reminder of unfulfilled dreams.
We also just observed National Grief Awareness Day on August 31.
While acknowledging grief is a step in the right direction; it isn’t enough. We need to do this every day.
Grief is a normal and natural emotion. We all will experience grief at some point, or multiple times, in our lives. Yet we live in a society that doesn’t accept it or encourage us to express it in healthy ways. We tell those grieving to be strong, don’t cry. We even say, don’t worry, you’ll get over it. Why? Because it makes us uncomfortable!
I hope we can learn to honor the importance of grief and all emotions. Even the tough ones. Pushing them down doesn’t get rid of them; they just go into hiding and show up later on, often in stronger ways.
Grief is not just death, although it is the most commonly associated event. It can be the result of a change in life circumstances (job, infertility, moving, separation, etc.), a change in a relationship (death, divorce, ending a relationship or friendship), it can even be from an event you initiated and wanted yet leaves you with a change in status or identity. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Often we aren’t even aware grief is what we are experiencing; we simply know we feel sad, out of sorts, or overwhelmed.
Be the person who makes it okay for a friend or family member to share with you. Be a heart with ears; saying nothing simply listen while they talk, cry, or laugh. Be compassionate and caring.
Take a listen to my latest podcast and let me know what you think. Do you have an idea for a guest or topic? Drop me a note.
If you’re struggling with any of these issues, know that you’re not alone. Remember that it’s okay to take time for self-care and prioritize your emotional well-being. Seek support from loved ones, join a support group, or consider working with a professional, like me, who specializes in grief. You can schedule a time to chat with me here.
Until the next time, I love and appreciate you,
Amy 🩷🩵