Allow yourself to grieve....

Grief is such a deeply intimate thing. There are as many ways to grieve as there are creatures upon this Earth.  Never let someone else tell you that you are grieving in the wrong way; or that you are grieving too long. It is different to each of us. It is different each time we lose someone, or even a beloved pet. It is always traumatic. Don't fight it. It is a natural and common thing.  I said we lose someone. In truth, they have moved on and left us behind. Even if we are lucky enough to feel our loved ones once they have passed on, it is not the same. We are left with a void where that living breathing source of our joy, and sometimes our pain, once so vibrantly occupied. The hard thing is that we see them; everywhere. Places that brought us joy, now torment. Memories are a blessing and a curse all at the same time. They will ever live in our hearts and souls, but we will always miss them. Always feel the VOID. It is even more physically visceral than when the person was alive sometimes. You can actually FEEL it. The empty place they once occupied. Allow yourself to feel the sadness, the anger, the frustration. Whatever else you feel. Even sometimes relief if someone has suffered for a long time. You will grieve as long as you will grieve. One day it will get a little better, then a little bit more. Some losses are etched upon our souls and we will never truly get over them. We will learn to live with the VOID, but we will always be AWARE of it. We will always feel it ....always. Be gentle with yourself; and cut yourself the slack you would to others in the same situation. It is okay if you are 'not yourself' for a while. You may be changed forever. None of us stays the same. Allow yourself to acknowledge that you change also. Accept the acceptable, and try not to let the uglier side of grief turn you into someone you cannot live with. Remember, love is forever. Our spirits live on, moving on to the next phase of their journey. We here on Earth, must live with the emptiness where our loved one once lived.  But this too shall pass. We will once more emerge, as the butterfly, who has had to transform into something completely different than it once was; but also into something infinitely more beautiful. Hopefully it teaches us compassion for others who must travel the same difficult path. That means all of us. BE LOVE. Love, Mishka.