notes on grief

grief does not

• allow you to be who you were before
• nor who you anticipated being
• define who I am
• have an expiration date
• fight fair
• follow a predictable pattern
• warn you before striking

grief has

• changed me
• made me stronger
• taught me to extend more grace
• led me to be more transparent
• encouraged me to be more aware of "this moment"
• opened my tear ducts
• increased my desire to love deeply and forgive quickly

grief will not

• control my life, influence, yes, but not control
• cause me to become bitter
• make me lose hope
• steal my joy
• diminish my faith
• change my trust in the goodness of God
• follow me to heaven