Day 238 - Unresolved

Version Two Watercolor - Going to try some pen and ink on top

from griefshare.com:

Having unresolved issues with the person who died will cause you to be stuck in grief. These issues may be petty disagreements over work or family life, or they could be deep-rooted conflicts that were never settled. You can still settle those issues in your own heart.

"You can't get unstuck from grief until you deal with the issues that stuck and gummed things up in the first place," says Dr. Ray Pritchard.

To complete the grieving process, you must go back and deal with unresolved issues. These matters can be resolved. A pastor, counselor, or support group may help you with this.

You could also write a letter to the loved one with whom you had the disagreement or misunderstanding. Give details and ask for forgiveness. Because the person you lost cannot read the letter or respond to you, this exercise is totally for your benefit. Finally, tear up the letter. The matter is settled and finished. You can do no more.

Tell God about these conflicts, what the disagreement was, how you felt then, and how you feel now.

"Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together" (Isaiah 43:26).

Day 237 - Good

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From griefshare.com

Good Grief

Good grief is accepting the fact that your loved one has died, accepting the sorrow and pain, and knowing there is more to come. Good grief is getting through the days, the months, and, eventually, through the years.

Your life will never be the same again, but you will get through the grief. The grieving process is a transition into your new life.

"He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age" (Ruth 4:15).

Day 236 - Bad

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From griefshare.com -

Bad Grief

Grief is a process. A process is a series of actions and gradual changes that one progresses through. The grieving process involves forward movement—going from one emotion, one level, one day to the next.

There is such a thing as good grief. It involves identifying the loss, recognizing the grieving process, accepting that life will never be the same, and continuing forward on the journey. There is also bad grief: continually thinking about the person who died and refusing to let him or her go.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6-7).

Day 235 - Piano

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I have been able to practice the piano at least 3 times a week for the past month (about 45 min. to an hour). Amazingly, I've seen great improvement and hope to be more consistent. I have some challenging pieces I'm working on (Chopin's Prelude and Pachelbel's Canon) but think I can have them mastered...by Christmas!

Day 234 - Cooking!

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I am behind on my blog! I am cooking up a storm though. Somehow my culinary senses have been resurrected and I am making pasta sauce, poached pears, bruschetta, chocolate pudding, beet salad amid a myriad of delicacies! I have no idea what happened but I like it! I am also working very hard on a department project and my tenure portfolio. Too much to do in too short a time. Will try to catch up!

Day 233 - Courage

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"We always pay for lack of courage." Sarah Ban Breathnach

Day 232 - Start

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"We can stop waiting for life to become perfect and start working with what we've got to make it as satisfying as we can. We can accept, bless, give thanks and get going."
Sarah Ban Breathnach

Something has happened. I've become interested in cooking, piano playing, gardening and working on my house again. Small wonders pop up everyday. Life is good.