“Find the place inside where there is joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.” ~ Joseph Campbell
This past weekend was more painful than I anticipated it would be. Saturday was the one year anniversary of my mom’s passing and the anguish of losing her took me by surprise all over again. I awoke at the exact time I received the dreaded phone call last year and spent the remainder of the day secluding myself from society, friends and family.
It was a much-needed hibernation from reality and time that allowed me to reflect on all of the happy memories and not just dwell in the sadness. I was able to observe many moments of silence and stillness. Those quiet moments gave me permission to initially grieve but then to take that grief and smother it with thoughts of a happy life spent with my mom and my dad.
After recognizing my mom’s passing, the ninth anniversary of my dad’s passing occurred two days later on Monday. As it happened on Saturday, I awoke at 2:15 am on Monday, roughly the time my dad passed, and spent many peaceful moments remembering the good times with him.
Grief can be consuming but joy has a way of quelling the overwhelming emotion and allowing happiness to rise to the surface. It is difficult in times of sorrow, especially when remembering a loved one who has passed, to be able to bring joy to the moment. But those who have left us would want us to feel nothing but joy. My parents would be sad to know that I am still grieving and not embracing the spirit they had when they lived.
It is that force that drives me to find joy in my sadness. It is their energy that wills me to move beyond the grief and remember their lives in a happy way and not cling to the heartache I feel in their absence. I will always grieve the loss of my parents but I will also begin to give myself permission to bask in the joy I feel having been a part of their lives. Hopefully, in time, I will be able to carry that joy into my future and the joy will burn out the pain.
polysyllabic profundities 
Thinking of you, Susan.
Thanks Jill.
Love the Joseph Campbell quote and your idea of smothering grief with the joy of your memories of your parents…..beautiful. Thinking of you as you exhale the weight of this month.
Thank you very much. One breath at a time. 🙂
Sending you joyful wishes. I lost my Dad in September and have been dreading his birthday which is coming up at the end of the month. While it will no doubt be hard, I agree that remembering all the joy he brought to my life and those around him will help. Thank you for writing this.
I’m so sorry for your loss. The first year is tough but keeping the joyful memories close is very helpful. Hugs to you.
We do move forward and we can, indeed, feel joy. It may not totally burn out the pain, but it becomes a pain you can manage. I wish that for you.
Thank you Sheila. I really appreciate that.
Your parents raised a very strong, wonderful woman.
Thank you. I really appreciate that.
I can’ believe it’s been year, Susan. Yet, I’m sure sometimes it still feels like yesterday. Fortunately, as you’ve already discovered, the memories of happiness have no expiration date. The joy is indeed timeless — as is your spirit, and the love you wil always carry for both your parents.
I’m very glad you have given yourself permission to feel that joy 😉
Thank you Ned. The passing of time really is a paradox. How a year can feel like a week is beyond me, but it happened. The tears still threaten but my parents would want me to carry the happy times closer than the grief. 🙂
Yes they would, Susan. And I’m sure it make them happy knowing you realize that. *hugs*
Thank you. 🙂
I’m not self promoting, but I think the video I posted today will make you laugh. Here’s the YouTube link http://youtu.be/lCrJWn0Iuv4
Have some wine… and Cheers 😉
I got a good laugh at work today watching that. I’m a little concerned about the missing part of your head in the beginning of the video….
I think it adds an air of mystery…
And I’m glad I was able to give you a laugh. (I’m not talking about my head, by the way).
They broke the mould when they made you….and I mean that in the most flattering way possible. 😉