Life in the Ruins
By Anthony
Television screens and newspapers throughout Australia have, for many weeks now, portrayed the loss and destruction caused by bush fires in Victoria. All of us have been touched by the tragedy in some way.
For those of you who have lost a loved one to those fires — my heart reaches out to you.
I cannot begin to imagine your overwhelming sense of loss. For now, you have to accept that grief is going to take you on a journey. It is important that you take every step in your journey. Cry, get angry — do what you have to do to work through your grief.
If I was faced with returning to the burnt ruins of my home plus deal with the knowledge that someone I loved had passed in those flames, I would collapse to my knees in tears. How long it would take me to stand up and take control of my life again — I have no idea.
If I can offer you any comfort at all it is this. Your loved one caught in the fire would have passed quickly. He or she would have suffered little before passing. So try not to focus on the final moments. Do not even begin to try and imagine what your loved one was experiencing or thinking in those final moments. Instead, take comfort that your loved one passed quickly and is now in spirit — happy, and in no pain, and without regret. Remind yourself that he or she is with you every step of the way as you rebuild your life.
Losing your home and a loved one is a monumental loss. Not only are you grieving for a life that passed, but you’re also grieving for your life that was. Trust me when I say now, more than ever, is the time to hold onto your faith. As Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811 -1896) once said, ‘When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time the tide will turn’.
There are going to be moments when grief overwhelms you. When it does — stop what you are doing. If you can, close your eyes, take a deep breath and connect to your loved one in spirit. Say to your loved one, ‘I love you and I miss you terribly. I know you’re with me but right now I need to draw on your loving energy. Give me strength to get through today and send me a sign to let me know I will be okay.’ Take a few more deep breaths and then continue on with your day.
‘Connect with your loved one in spirit daily. Not only will it help ease your grief, but you’ll be amazed by the signs and messages of love your loved one is able to send.’
You will get through this. And out of the ashes will rise a new life.
For those of you who have lost a loved one to those fires — my heart reaches out to you.
I cannot begin to imagine your overwhelming sense of loss. For now, you have to accept that grief is going to take you on a journey. It is important that you take every step in your journey. Cry, get angry — do what you have to do to work through your grief.
If I was faced with returning to the burnt ruins of my home plus deal with the knowledge that someone I loved had passed in those flames, I would collapse to my knees in tears. How long it would take me to stand up and take control of my life again — I have no idea.
If I can offer you any comfort at all it is this. Your loved one caught in the fire would have passed quickly. He or she would have suffered little before passing. So try not to focus on the final moments. Do not even begin to try and imagine what your loved one was experiencing or thinking in those final moments. Instead, take comfort that your loved one passed quickly and is now in spirit — happy, and in no pain, and without regret. Remind yourself that he or she is with you every step of the way as you rebuild your life.
Losing your home and a loved one is a monumental loss. Not only are you grieving for a life that passed, but you’re also grieving for your life that was. Trust me when I say now, more than ever, is the time to hold onto your faith. As Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811 -1896) once said, ‘When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time the tide will turn’.
There are going to be moments when grief overwhelms you. When it does — stop what you are doing. If you can, close your eyes, take a deep breath and connect to your loved one in spirit. Say to your loved one, ‘I love you and I miss you terribly. I know you’re with me but right now I need to draw on your loving energy. Give me strength to get through today and send me a sign to let me know I will be okay.’ Take a few more deep breaths and then continue on with your day.
‘Connect with your loved one in spirit daily. Not only will it help ease your grief, but you’ll be amazed by the signs and messages of love your loved one is able to send.’
You will get through this. And out of the ashes will rise a new life.
