"Floral Delight"
Oil painting on linen on board (10"x8")
Recently purchased by John and Jerri Ramsey of Carmel, Indiana
From The Brown County Art Guild, Nashville, IN
Recently purchased by John and Jerri Ramsey of Carmel, Indiana
From The Brown County Art Guild, Nashville, IN
"I hope this page from Martha Whitmore Hickman's "Healing After Loss" is helpful to you. It's just what I needed today."
"I was beginning to do better. I thought I was doing better, but a few days ago the holidays just hit me." - This was from a widow, contemplating her first Christmas alone.
"Memories are always there to hook us, to make the grief fresh again - birthdays, anniversaries, summer vacation -- any occasion of "the first time around" without our loved one. But the Christmas holidays, the Hanukkah observances, when the whole world seems poised for celebration, are among the most difficult times of year for survivors of loss. Each of us has a time-honored list of things "we always do" - go to services, hang the stockings, light the candles, share traditional foods. They are part of our identity and our joy in being alive in a world together - and now one of the key people with whom we shared that joy is gone. Is it any wonder we cringe from the thought of the holidays?
We will get through it, and probably better if we can talk about it with others who are feeling the same loss. Reaching out to others for whom this is also a difficult season (especially the lonely) will help, and will express the deeper meaning of the season."
"Memories are always there to hook us, to make the grief fresh again - birthdays, anniversaries, summer vacation -- any occasion of "the first time around" without our loved one. But the Christmas holidays, the Hanukkah observances, when the whole world seems poised for celebration, are among the most difficult times of year for survivors of loss. Each of us has a time-honored list of things "we always do" - go to services, hang the stockings, light the candles, share traditional foods. They are part of our identity and our joy in being alive in a world together - and now one of the key people with whom we shared that joy is gone. Is it any wonder we cringe from the thought of the holidays?
We will get through it, and probably better if we can talk about it with others who are feeling the same loss. Reaching out to others for whom this is also a difficult season (especially the lonely) will help, and will express the deeper meaning of the season."
Footnote
"I know this will be a hard season for me. I will take one day at a time. I will acknowledge when grief hovers close. And I will try to be open to times when joy may surprise me, too."
4 comments:
Wonderful post, Nora. Thinking of you often and hoping things are going well for you.
Je pense très souvent à vous... à ces moments difficiles que vous avez traversés et que vous traversez encore...
Un magnifique bouquet...
Gros bisous
Congratulations on your sale.
My sister is dreading the holidays for this reason. She just wants to run away. So I invited her to run here... They're taking me up on the suggestion. Anything out of the ordinary will help her. I plan to make it more like a gathering than a feeling of a typical Christmas celebration. Want to join us too??? Everyone can run here. My house will be bursting with people from all directions, even as far as from Ireland! Smiles and hugs to you my friend. I wish you strength and lots of love.
Your painting is wonderful Nora. I wish you the best this holiday season!
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