Kathleen, I am so sorry for the loss 💛💛💛 The love between you and your whole family is forever. It is beautifully described, and powerfully felt. I am truly, truly sorry—sending you big hugs. Thank you for sharing your experience and the beautifully written thoughts to help others. Wishing you well.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful essay. All three died too young, especially your brother. ♥️ It's tough to experience the dwindling of your original nuclear family. I can relate. Here's to "contentment."
This is a beautiful essay. My circumstances are different, but the complicated feelings around family and needing boundaries and showing up for Christmas in a big way for your kids - I totally get that. Sending you all the good thoughts during this season!
This was beautiful and moving. Lost my folks similarly and still s-t-r-u-g-g-l-e with it regularly, especially during the holidays. Thank you for sharing--it does lighten the journey knowing others are on an almost identical path.
I'm so sorry for your losses. My Dad passed away on December 23, 2020 from an unexpected heart attack. We spent almost two weeks before that visiting him in the hospital while they tried every life-saving measure possible. I became unexpectedly pregnant with my first baby less than a year later...a very joyful and also sad time because more than anything, I wanted my son to meet my Dad.
This time of year is tough and there's no way to bypass the ache. I am still navigating my way through this season and the loss it represents as a new mom- trying to allow moments to grieve and also create new memories with my son. It's tenuous, at best.
I was extremely close with my mother who died three and a half years ago at age 81. For the last fifteen years of her life she blossomed in so many ways. During that decade and a half we spoke and emailed pretty much every day. Just this evening my daughter (35) told me about something she did, to help a friend and said "And Grandma Jill would have said give more!"
There is a connection between feeling both my mothers presence and her absence.
Thanks Kathleen for your thoughts and connecting this community.
I'm so sorry for your losses, Kathleen. I hope happy memories bring you comfort. Thank you for all you do for authors. I'm grateful for the insights you share.
A lovely post. I have also lost both my parents, and at the holidays I feel it Keely though many years have passed. I often tell friends the same thing - the grief never goes away, but it does soften and change shape over time. I am sorry for your losses. I hope you and your family enjoy your very extra holidays!
You are not alone - thanks for writing this
lovely. Your children are lucky to have you. And so are we!
Thanks for your honesty. You’re so right about the strange loneliness you can feel even when surrounded by people who love you the most.
Kathleen, I am so sorry for the loss 💛💛💛 The love between you and your whole family is forever. It is beautifully described, and powerfully felt. I am truly, truly sorry—sending you big hugs. Thank you for sharing your experience and the beautifully written thoughts to help others. Wishing you well.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful essay. All three died too young, especially your brother. ♥️ It's tough to experience the dwindling of your original nuclear family. I can relate. Here's to "contentment."
To contentment. I understand.
This is a beautiful essay. My circumstances are different, but the complicated feelings around family and needing boundaries and showing up for Christmas in a big way for your kids - I totally get that. Sending you all the good thoughts during this season!
This was beautiful and moving. Lost my folks similarly and still s-t-r-u-g-g-l-e with it regularly, especially during the holidays. Thank you for sharing--it does lighten the journey knowing others are on an almost identical path.
Grace and peace to you, Kathleen.
I'm so sorry for your losses. My Dad passed away on December 23, 2020 from an unexpected heart attack. We spent almost two weeks before that visiting him in the hospital while they tried every life-saving measure possible. I became unexpectedly pregnant with my first baby less than a year later...a very joyful and also sad time because more than anything, I wanted my son to meet my Dad.
This time of year is tough and there's no way to bypass the ache. I am still navigating my way through this season and the loss it represents as a new mom- trying to allow moments to grieve and also create new memories with my son. It's tenuous, at best.
Thank you for sharing. ✨
I was extremely close with my mother who died three and a half years ago at age 81. For the last fifteen years of her life she blossomed in so many ways. During that decade and a half we spoke and emailed pretty much every day. Just this evening my daughter (35) told me about something she did, to help a friend and said "And Grandma Jill would have said give more!"
There is a connection between feeling both my mothers presence and her absence.
Thanks Kathleen for your thoughts and connecting this community.
I'm so sorry for your losses, Kathleen. I hope happy memories bring you comfort. Thank you for all you do for authors. I'm grateful for the insights you share.
A lovely post. I have also lost both my parents, and at the holidays I feel it Keely though many years have passed. I often tell friends the same thing - the grief never goes away, but it does soften and change shape over time. I am sorry for your losses. I hope you and your family enjoy your very extra holidays!
This really got me choking! I relate deeply. Thank you for sharing your story.
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I had some very similar reflecting yesterday myself. Sending much love ❤️
https://open.substack.com/pub/emmasimpsonauthor/p/robins-and-reflections?r=1emn6i&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Achingly beautiful Kathleen. I can relate in many ways. Christmas changes as we lose family members.
Wishing you peace and comfort through the holidays and beyond.