Six-Word Lessons
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Mini-Blog
  • Dads Calendar
  • Write one!
  • Book Samples
  • Pacelli Publishing
Snackable Wisdom in every Six-Word Lessons Book

The power of words

6/30/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
I recently had a visit from one of my best friends. We have kept in touch since 8th grade.  That was a long time ago. People are amazed at how well we nurtured our friendship. When Cory was really ill Michael helped me get enough money together to fly down and spend a few days recharging my batteries with him in Las Vegas. He did that many times. Michael also met the kids and I in San Diego and LA a few times when we were down visiting Disneyland and relatives. He took us to the La Brea Tar Pits. Great memories. We wrote to each other. The kids I baked Christmas cookies every year and mailed them to wherever Michael was living at the time. He was so supportive throughout Cory’s illness. And in happier times, I asked Michael to be my best man in my wedding 30 years ago. What a great friend he still is to this day.

Michael was looking at the photographs I have on my hallway wall. His voice caught when he noticed my son’s photo right there with the rest of my family. He asked if I thought about him every day. I replied, “yes, every single day. I miss him. Sometimes it feels like he was just here and other days it feels like a lifetime ago.” We both teared up. That’s the way it is with grief though. When someone you love dies there is a void in your heart forever. You get used to the pain and you kind of get used to not seeing him or her after a while. But you miss the ability to interact with a physical being and I personally miss speaking with my son, my mom, my brother, and all those who have already crossed over the rainbow bridge. I am sure that is true for everyone. Although I have to admit, I still talk to them.

In my grief workshops I always encourage folks to write letters to the person they are grieving on that day. It really does help to get your thoughts and feelings down on paper. I also encourage people to journal about their grief journey. And if they are inclined to write a poem about the qualities of the deceased loved one. It can be a small yet powerful tribute to him or her too. The easiest is a “list” poem. For example, mine says things such as, “Cory was funny. Cory was mischievous. Cory was a great big brother. Cory loved to play soccer. Cory loved dressing up for Halloween. Cory was brilliant. Cory was courageous. Cory loved me. Cory was my son.” Try it – writing down the words that describe your feelings about and to your loved one/s is powerful and it just might help you. I hope it does.

Nurture your friendships. Always let those you love know how special they are to you. Use your words. You can always use a good friend in happy times and sad ones too.

Picture
Shirley Enebrad is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist with 25 years of experience. For her many years of work with pediatric cancer patients and those grieving the loss of a loved one, she received the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service and the Angel of Hospice Award.  She is the author of Six-Word Lessons on Coping with Grief and Six-Word Lessons for Surviving a Devastating Diagnosis.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    See the Authors!

    All
    Alisa Blum
    Chris Carlson
    Debbie Rosemont
    Jenni Butz
    Jim DuBois
    Judith Sugg
    Karin Quirk
    Kate Nugent Curtis
    Lance Carter
    Lonnie Pacelli
    Mary Waldmann
    Nikki Rausch
    Patty Pacelli
    Ray Waldmann
    Sally Palmer
    Sample Chapters
    Shirley Enebrad
    Terry Gardiner
    Tracey Cohen
    Tracey Warren
    Trevor Pacelli


    RSS Feed

Books
Blog
Mini-Blog
Dads Calendar
You an Author!
Book Samples
Pacelli Publishing

© COPYRIGHT 2018.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Mini-Blog
  • Dads Calendar
  • Write one!
  • Book Samples
  • Pacelli Publishing