Grief and Joy Coexist

Last weekend my kids surprised their dad by coming in for dinner Saturday evening. It was the first time they’d been together since May 2014.

Maggie arrived Thursday morning; she’ll be home three weeks. Meredith flew in Friday evening and left Sunday; she has a family that needs her. Lyz lives in our town and we get to see her more often than the others; still it’s always great to spend time with her.

The boys each live about two hours away. They came in Saturday after finishing work or whatever they had Saturday morning. Peter had to leave that night as did David and his fiancé Taryn. Adam stayed the night and went to church with Ron, Meredith, Maggie, and me.

It was a good weekend. Ron was completely surprised! He grilled salmon for everyone. It’s their favorite. Games were played. Stories were told. Shopping was completed.

Last night I posted one of my favorite pictures of Andrew. He was two. He loved his new outfit, especially the bow tie. This is his birthday week. He would have been 25 on Christmas Eve. This will be his fifth birthday in Heaven.

Facebook keeps asking, “What’s on your mind?”

Nothing I can put into words. I’ve learned the past four Christmases that not every thought or emotion must be expressed or even can be expressed. Sometimes it’s best to simply feel them, experience them. Sometimes that is all I can do. I cannot adequately express what is on my mind or heart right now.

I look around…so many memories…so much missing even with the joy and laughter of having my six home the past few days.

Yes, joy and grief coexist in the heart of a momma who has buried her son. In the heart of this momma anyway.

I have great joy in the moment and sweet memories of days gone by. I have hope for tomorrow…and yet there is still grief for that which will never be again: my four sons together laughing and telling stories, all seven in one new picture, his nieces and nephews getting to know him, his laughter, his stomping through the house, his stories, his hugs, his smiles, his phone calls.

Good night, dear friends.

Oh! If you think about it, could you pray for all those who have experienced loss this year? Or in the past few years. It seems to take time for the wounds to really heal.

child loss, Christianity, family, Grief, healing in grief, holidays, joy


KathleenBDuncan

I write about my life, my journey, my family, and my faith. I am wife to one, mom to seven with one in heaven, and grandmother to many. I am also full-time caregiver to my stepmom E who suffers from dementia due to Alzheimer’s. In my spare time I like to read, travel, crochet, bike, and play with our black pug Molly.

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