Death is part of life

On Valentines Day the father of a dear friend made his transition. It is less than two years since my own father left his body and went home and in praying for my friend and her family I have had another opportunity for growth and learning in my own life.

I know, with absolute certainty, that life is eternal. We continue to exist after our journey in the physical suitcase comes to an end. Yet even with this knowing the departure of a loved one from this realm has been incredibly challenging to me over the years. for me it has always been interpreted as another demonstration of abandonment, which is one of my soul journeys this time around.

In many traditional cultures around the world there is time dedicated to the grieving process when someone dies. Generally in the West death, dying and grieving have become something that is hidden away and not handled well. Grieving is a natural part of the process of death. It is important that we allow all the emotions that come up when someone dies to be in us and to travel through us. It does not serve us to hang on to them, but it is beneficial to look at them, to feel them, and then, in our perfect time, to let them go.

In my own experience I was very aware that I had a range of emotions. Guilt, anger and frustration all mixed with the deep sorrow to create a volatile cocktail within me. And that's okay. I didn't wallow overly in any of them, but I did feel them, I let them be with me and I did the things I know to do to allow them to journey through my experience and then go on their way. From time to time something comes along that makes me sad that my Dad isn't still here in his physical body to share things with my family and I. When that happens I shed the tears, or shout the frustration and then let those feelings go. I know that Dad was ready to go when he did and that he is everywhere present around me.

In speaking to my friend I was able to share these things, to know that nothing I could say would take away her pain, and nor should I try, but that like all things in life, this too shall pass.

Our journey in this physical experience is short, even if we life to more than one hundred. I invite you to allow sorrow to pass through you and not to hang on to it like a comforter. To keep putting one foot in front of the other through the pain of grief and to know that the sun is always shining no matter how dark the clouds appear.

Today I know it is safe for me to feel, express and release all my emotions. I embrace the flow of life in all it's physical forms and know I am safe and loved.

In Love. J x