At our Thanksgiving dinner yesterday, I read the following prayer of thanks to our large extended family that gathered at my son’s Patrick’s House in Needham:
I am so grateful to so many people, circumstances, and a personal history that have helped me on my grieving journey over the past ten months… more specifically:
– My parents and Nana and Papa.
– My family, friends, and acquaintances who have listened to and shared time and words with me.
– B&N, Trinity, and Teachers College mentors.
– A religious and philosophical orientation that grew out of my years at Trinity.
-The travel I was able to do since February 4th.
-The authors, blogs, and podcasts to which I’ve read and reread, listened and relistened.
– And of course, most importantly, Nini , “Tinkerbell” on my shoulder.
– All of the above bringing me to the point where I have an understanding and a feeling that deep sorrow expands one’s emotional capacity and brings greater appreciation and gratitude for moments of joy…. like today
– bringing me to realize how those we have lost have in various ways connect to whom we are now and will be into the future,
And that over the long term, borrowing from Hope Edelman’s After Grief, we become aware that appreciation, gratitude, wisdom, insight, awe, hope, faith, resilience, and humility are all elements of grief.
Blessings, thanks and love to all. Joe
[I believe it is the nature of our humanity that we will all deal with some sort of grief in our lifetime, and it is important that we support one another in that grieving process and find meaning and love as we move thru it. Perhaps this blog that my daughter and I started several months ago might be of some help to some. J]
Jeanie McKeigue 
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