An Unexpected Gift: my grief story…
An Unexpected Gift
More often than not, my writing is done for others. Clients pay me to update their blogs and social media feeds. Sometimes I get a byline and sometimes I don’t, but it’s alright. I know my words are out there and that they are seen by others, whether they carry my name or not. But as all writers know, that almighty byline is a pretty sweet thing.
Months to Years: My Grief Story Shared
Not today though. Today I get to share my words under MY name. I get the byline and am pretty tickled by that. And oh my goodness, what a beautiful place to have my work showcased! The Fall Issue of Months to Years is a veritable wonder of pictures, poetry, and prose that I am honoured to be part of. It is a gorgeous literary journal worthy of perusing and I hope you do. And even though my grief story is based on a sad moment in time, the story is a powerful one and worth sharing.
In case you aren’t familiar with the journal Months to Years, their title comes from an oft-quoted phrase used by doctors with palliative patients. When treatment stops working, the medical professional ceases talking about cures. They switch to quality of life over quantity, and timelines are measured in “months to years”. While it may seem cold, it helps people reprioritize their lives and refocus their goals. More often than not, it shifts the focus from fighting, to accepting life as it is.
If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know I am all too familiar with that shift. It should be no surprise that when I came across the magazine Months to Years, I was compelled to submit my own grief story to them. Grief was a way of life for me and the story clings to me even still. A single phone call changed the trajectory of my world. This is where my story begins.
You can find the rest of it starting on page 44…
Summer’s Ghost – A Writer's Take
May 20, 2021 @ 11:54 am
[…] thanks”, but no. After an apology for the time it took to respond, they asked if they could publish my story. Heck yes! How is that for motivation to get writing again? Where’s my pen and paper? Give me […]
Sharing Pieces of Me – A Writer's Take
November 6, 2018 @ 2:06 pm
[…] week, when I shared the story of my grief journey, a woman contacted me on my Facebook page. Her story of loss revolves around the falling […]
October 29, 2018 @ 10:10 pm
Wow! Your writing is eloquent. Your words well chosen. I was pulled from start to finish. I knew the ending but not the journey in between. Thank you for sharing this. Please share it widely. I know I will.
For me this hits close to home and I am immersed in my own journey and thoughts as I read about yours. We have taken a similar path and have different stories with the same ending. And in the end we are left to live life on our own without that person who was our other half.
You felt you were in the way and stood in the shadows. I fought hard and loud to get the care for my husband because, if I didn’t, he wouldn’t have gotten it. Still, in the end the result was the same. I was left crying, like you and had to learn to live life without him, like you.
You are such a strong woman. I applaud you for writing this and sharing it with the world. I feel like I know you so much better now, but i always knew you were a strong woman and having lived through this makes us stronger. XO
October 29, 2018 @ 10:35 pm
I feel like I have written this story over and over again. Whether it was to friends, family, counsellors, or my journal, the story is far from new, yet will always be fresh.
I know you understand that Suzanne, as your journey held a similar trajectory; different path, but as you noted, a comparable end. The biggest comparison though is the strength it took to get through the pain and begin the healing process. Thank you for being part of mine dear lady. Hugs
Katherine