Grief and Loss

2018 Goodbyes

78 Comments

Carol A. Hand

There are times when I just cannot write from the heart. I need to take a break and focus on physical or analytical tasks that help me find emotional detachment and balance. It’s one of the major reasons I have not posted or visited blogs during the holidays.

***

I took this photo in the morning
before I learned that a dear friend died

*

November 28, 2018

*

It portrays what days of loss
sometimes feel like to me
My grandson’s other grandmother died
just before Christmas, and this morning,
my granddaughter’s father passed away
2018 was a year of so many losses and changes
It’s the third year I have faced my own mortality
Despite a heavy heart, though,
I still awake each morning
knowing that what I do for others now
in the time I have left matters even more

 

I have snowy sidewalks to shovel
in the north country I love

*

December 31, 2018

*

There are courses to plan for students
I will learn to care about this year,
and dear family to care for while I’m here

*

My daughter’s birthday dinner, October 18, 2018

*

Despite losses I will continue to rise and greet each day
to do what I can to stay healthy and balanced,
to contribute to the light in simple humble ways
and to remain grateful for the wonder and blessings of life

***

Please know that I am grateful to all of you for being part of my life, too. I send my best wishes to all. May you have a peaceful and wonder-filled new year.

78 thoughts on “2018 Goodbyes”

  2. Sincere condolences and prayers for those you loved who’ve passed on. Even though we know, spiritually, those we love are always with us, the absence of their physical presence is always felt. Wishing you and your family a wonderful, joyful, and happy year filled with grace and abundance.

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        3. Hello Carol,

          Thank you for visiting my post entitled “Snowflakes, Tell Me Why You Are…” and for complimenting me. It would be very nice if you could kindly give your feedback at the comment section of the post too. To save you typing again, you could just copy and paste your previous comment to my post, if you like.

          I notice that for some reason, you visited my Snowflake post entitled “Snowflakes, Tell Me Why You Are…”, but not yet the one that I mentioned in an earlier comment to you, which is available at https://soundeagle.wordpress.com/2012/12/12/season-greetings-from-soundeagle-merry-christmas-happy-new-year-and-joyful-holiday/

          I look forward to receiving your lovely and esteemed feedback at the comment section of said posts. Please be informed that you might need to use a desktop or laptop computer with a large screen to view the rich multimedia contents available for heightening your multisensory enjoyment at my websites, some of which could be too powerful and feature-rich for iPad, iPhone, tablet or other portable devices to handle properly or adequately. A fast broadband connection is also helpful. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

  3. Carol,
    I fully understand. It’s been at least a year since I last posted. Take care of yourself my friend. I’m hoping you will allow yourself some of the kindness you so generously give to others. You have taught me so much about Native American’s and what it’s like to walk in the margins between two cultures. You helped me to understand what it means to be humble and to nurture the good in other’s even when it’s difficult to see. This friend, your friend, in the foothills of NC would like nothing more than to sit down and give you a shoulder to lean on.

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  5. Much the same and more in terms of love and blessings, your way, Carol. May you continue to shine light and caring into the lives of those for whom you cherish. May self-care be a deserving focus for you as we transition into a new year.

    Liked by 3 people

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  6. Carol, I don’t know how you do it, but you may just be ultra prescient! My dear pal, Buster, went to the Great Doggie Park in the Sky last week, so I am feeling lonely and not particularly cheerful, of course, but your message about loss appeared at the perfect moment. Thank You!
    Old Buster was almost 14, which is very old for a Basset Hound. He is going to commission me to continue his blog (since those in the GDP are usually not permitted to communicate with those of us down here on Mother Earth). So, he is very nervous because he knows what a great procrastinator his old pappy is, but he wants me to continue his blog to remind us all that there is only one good in the world, and we must keep applying it by our service and loyalty to one another.
    Keep up your wonderful work, and have a Happy New Year!
    walt, Buster’s really old pappy.

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  14. Dear Carol, I’m sorry for your losses yet I am also glad for the Light that keeps shining through your Heart and radiates forth as you persevere through it all in this world of impermanence that we live in. My experiences with this started early on in the year when my wife passed away on March 3, her birthday, due to her deterioration from her dementia.

    I have also lost several other friends through the year, yet I am still here, although I can definitely tell that I’m slowing down. I also have another friend who was experiencing internal bleeding and was sure he wouldn’t make it until Christmas, but the bleeding stopped as mysteriously as it started and he seems to be doing pretty well, reporting the other day that he had just walked a couple of miles. Life is quite a mystery in spite of all that we think we know about it.

    May this new journey around the Sun be filled with much Love, Beauty, Wonder, Peace and Joy for you and your loved ones.
    Carl

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences, insights, and wisdom, Carl. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your wife and some friends this year. And thank you also for sharing such a lovely blessing for the new year. May your new year be blessed as well. ❤

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  16. Dear Carol, Happy New Year to you and to your family! No matter what happens, the life goes on and we must continue our way! And we should be happy for those who have left the Earth. Their terrestial jorney is over! But their Heaven one is only beginning! Greetings to Quennie! Chin-chin!

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  17. A hard year indeed, one of many here recently! I am sorry for your losses, Carol. It seems we are in that time of life, or at that time of life.

    Let us hope for a better, less painful new year ahead, for us and all of humanity!

    Liked by 3 people

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  20. Happy, healthy and peaceful new year to you and your family, my earthling friend Carol! I hope these losses would be last for you, for your family and your loved ones! And for your friends who passed away I want to say that:
    “I wish that they sleep under the lights, and the stars would be comrade of them!”
    This is a Turkish saying-wish and it is said after a person died to his related ones, like “rest in peace” in English.

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  25. I’m so sorry to hear of your losses Carol.
    We all send your our best wishes. And thank you for taking the time to bring “light” and sharing with us even during the dark times. Wishing you and all your loved ones a blessed 2019 ahead.

    Best,
    Takami

    Liked by 1 person

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  29. Ah! Carol, my heart goes out to you. So much loss. I have had a huge loss as well so I know what you speak of. Thanks for touching the dark places with such beauty and understanding. I send light and love to you ❤

    Liked by 1 person

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