Personal experience, intimacy and emotional truth is such a good definition memoir and you knocked it out of the park with your words and remembering. Being with you, inside your thoughts and feelings, is an honor and privilege, not taken lightly. Thank you for sharing so honestly and generously. 🙏🏼
Thank you, Gary. I don’t know what to say. I immediately screenshotted your comment and sent it to my husband. Your kind words have inspired me. The negative self-talk about one’s writing and chances to publish is always there - but I will remember your comment next time it rears its ugly head. Thank you!
You are a gifted writer so keep on writing. Resistance comes along with self-doubt about whether or not what we have "created" is good enough. A bright future ahead for you, Kristina. I have an old post from back in March: https://garygruber.substack.com/p/why-we-write. and a couple more recent ones on creativity. Enjoy!
Wow. What an amazing moment that must've been- to realize that the pain was gone. I really appreciate the level of self reflection you have done throughout this process. It's very insightful -for you and all of us. I hope that sense of peace you felt when you realized the pain was gone is something that will stay with you in some way. Maybe even a good memory you can look back on from time to time. This is what I hope for you.
Thank you for sharing your journey. You aren’t alone. You reminded me that there were times before his death, after his cancer diagnosis, where I felt the peace you are talking about. Since my husband’s passing, I have not felt such peace. I have learned to accept and carry my grief and sweet memories with me as I move forward in my life. Knowing how waves of grief will come … and go like the waves on the shore has transformed my inability to cope and my struggle to move forward. I am ok and am in the process of trying to make grief my friend if it is to be my life’s companion, instead of struggling against an emotional enemy. It has been almost 4years and five months.
Oh, Lisa. My heart is with you. If we love deeply, we will grieve. It is an absolute certainty. I will cherish my peace now knowing that it isn’t forever. Love to you.
Thanks for the reminder that grief and worry will eventually recede. Maybe they collapse under their own weight. So glad you found your way through it. To some degree, those emotions may recur; I pray they remain at a distance so you can take joy in the life you have.
I like the idea that they collapse under their own weight, because they certainly have weight. I hadn't thought of it quite like this. Thank you for your prayer. I am enjoying life!
Kristina, I like you would have not being surprised by a Viking ship for their enduring spirit remains. Much as their spirit has softened the harsh realities of life for you, and now is allowing you to find peace and joy in your husband and daughter’s smiles and laughter. Praise God for the sweet and refreshing experience of release. Enjoy and live this day!
Your moment of noticing the feeling in your chest is fascinating and uplifting. It highlights how emotions are felt in the body and that the easing of grief is a gradual process. The illness affects so many - not just the person who was diagnosed. As a two-time cancer survivor myself, your story reminds me of the fear and uncertainty that my own family and friends went through. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective on this journey.
Thank you for sharing all of this. You've given me much on which to reflect. Grief is like the sea... always changing, sometimes scary and bigger than we can tell just by looking.
A beautiful reflection on the reflection, Kristina. xo Sitting alongside. Listening.
Thank you, Victoria!!
Personal experience, intimacy and emotional truth is such a good definition memoir and you knocked it out of the park with your words and remembering. Being with you, inside your thoughts and feelings, is an honor and privilege, not taken lightly. Thank you for sharing so honestly and generously. 🙏🏼
Thank you, Gary. I don’t know what to say. I immediately screenshotted your comment and sent it to my husband. Your kind words have inspired me. The negative self-talk about one’s writing and chances to publish is always there - but I will remember your comment next time it rears its ugly head. Thank you!
You are a gifted writer so keep on writing. Resistance comes along with self-doubt about whether or not what we have "created" is good enough. A bright future ahead for you, Kristina. I have an old post from back in March: https://garygruber.substack.com/p/why-we-write. and a couple more recent ones on creativity. Enjoy!
Will read! Thank you!
Wow. What an amazing moment that must've been- to realize that the pain was gone. I really appreciate the level of self reflection you have done throughout this process. It's very insightful -for you and all of us. I hope that sense of peace you felt when you realized the pain was gone is something that will stay with you in some way. Maybe even a good memory you can look back on from time to time. This is what I hope for you.
Thank you, Nicole. I will savor my peace for the moment and wish it on someone else when it is my time to grieve again. My heart to you.
Thank you for sharing your journey. You aren’t alone. You reminded me that there were times before his death, after his cancer diagnosis, where I felt the peace you are talking about. Since my husband’s passing, I have not felt such peace. I have learned to accept and carry my grief and sweet memories with me as I move forward in my life. Knowing how waves of grief will come … and go like the waves on the shore has transformed my inability to cope and my struggle to move forward. I am ok and am in the process of trying to make grief my friend if it is to be my life’s companion, instead of struggling against an emotional enemy. It has been almost 4years and five months.
Oh, Lisa. My heart is with you. If we love deeply, we will grieve. It is an absolute certainty. I will cherish my peace now knowing that it isn’t forever. Love to you.
Thanks for the reminder that grief and worry will eventually recede. Maybe they collapse under their own weight. So glad you found your way through it. To some degree, those emotions may recur; I pray they remain at a distance so you can take joy in the life you have.
I like the idea that they collapse under their own weight, because they certainly have weight. I hadn't thought of it quite like this. Thank you for your prayer. I am enjoying life!
I believe you have found your voice. Bravo. This is lovely, and straight from the heart.
I believe that our writing has meaning for others, touches them and takes on its own life, when we write from our very center. 💕💕
Thank you! Writing this memoir has been so healing for me and I really hope will have meaning for others. Grateful for your support!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful memory you have of such an eventful time in your life! 🥰🥰
Thank you, Pat! Can’t wait to see you!
Kristina, I like you would have not being surprised by a Viking ship for their enduring spirit remains. Much as their spirit has softened the harsh realities of life for you, and now is allowing you to find peace and joy in your husband and daughter’s smiles and laughter. Praise God for the sweet and refreshing experience of release. Enjoy and live this day!
Thank you, Dorie! Appreciate your comment! Yes, yes!
Lovely. And yes, the viking age is considered to have ended more than ten centuries ago.
Yes!! I’ll fix that!
I was thinking that the sea was also a metaphor for how I was feeling. Thank you!
Lovely meditation. Only one tiny thing: I think you meant centuries ago when referring to Vikings.❤️
Thank you! Yes, I did!!!
Your moment of noticing the feeling in your chest is fascinating and uplifting. It highlights how emotions are felt in the body and that the easing of grief is a gradual process. The illness affects so many - not just the person who was diagnosed. As a two-time cancer survivor myself, your story reminds me of the fear and uncertainty that my own family and friends went through. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective on this journey.
Thank you for sharing all of this. You've given me much on which to reflect. Grief is like the sea... always changing, sometimes scary and bigger than we can tell just by looking.