JD's Midlife Tools For Living Practices, LLC

Practicing Acceptance

accepting loss, holland, Mi

Losing a parent

Accepting loss is a long journey. Eleven months ago today my dad died. I’ve written up a memorial my mom wants to have in the newspaper for him for a month from now. It still seems strange to think of him as only in my memories and that today when I am visiting my parents’ home only mom will be there with me. My dad will be there in spirit, of course.

It feels like I’ve joined this club over the last eleven months that consists of zillions of us who have lost a parent. It is a very different sense inside not having a father in the flesh anymore. I imagine that sense is even more profound when both parents are gone—an orphan sense must come forth inside. That thought feels very sad.

My heart goes out even more keenly to those I know and will come to know who have lost a parent or both at young ages. I can’t imagine how challenging it would have been for me to have not had my dad until my 57th year of life.

There is a greater sense of the finality of life looming on the horizon of my consciousness and the reality that I am moving closer towards it for my own life’s ending is there too. I see more keenly that I am the next generation to grow old. My body is beginning to tell me this too. I don’t rest there too long in the thoughts but it does make a presence albeit fleeting.

And of course, as I do, I wrestle with all this reality. I have to work hard to radically accept that which is in my life to live it as it is. I want things my way. But I do practice by noticing my thoughts as best I can and try to be kind with my ego when she wants what she wants and not what is. Life is an everyday work in process. Accepting loss is too. And so am I!

Right now in this moment what life reality are your thoughts challenging you to accept?

Do Contact Me . With Grief Therapy we can begin to practice acceptance of our losses.

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