12 Comments
Sep 14, 2021Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar

In experiencing the sudden and unexpected death of my spouse and never facing significant loss in the past, I’ve discovered grief as a horrible game that none of us wanted to play. A game with no rules and definitely no winner.

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Sep 14, 2021Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar

Grief is a melancholia of sorts. It doesn't seem to want to go away. I describe grief mostly with that word and red colors... jig jags.. scribbles all over the page because it makes zero sense half the time.

I got this newsletter today as I've been struggling with my mother's death today and wondering how bad the holidays are going to be for me this year. I pray not too bad but it's been hard. Off and on it comes and goes, ebbs and flows... like waves. Guess I'll find out.

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Sep 15, 2021Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar

Katie, I appreciate your thoughts and work around grief.

As a pastor I have had the honor of working with numerous people around grief. Recently, (July 30) my dad passed and so grief has visited me in a very personal way. The grief journey is so very personal and unique to each individual. Reading your blog, I began to wonder how can a person find the strength to begin to move into a new phase of life? Not in a way where the grieving is now somehow complete, but where it takes on a new dimension. I am thinking of a friend who lost a spouse a few years ago. Recently they told me that, "What we had was good and they were thankful they had that time, but now was a new phase and it was time to move on. They were not talking about a relationship, but a phase where they determined to create something new. For this person they decided to move out of grief. I wonder how and when that happens?

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Sep 14, 2021Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar

Grief… exposes our broken heart 💔… our brokenness and as we heal we realize Grief is, …❤️ Just LOVE 💗

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Sep 14, 2021Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar

Lately I would describe grief like the wind. I'm outside and there's a light breeze blowing. It's my grief, I feel it but it's almost comfortable. I know it's there but I am ok. Then almost without warning the wind begins to pick up. It's now uncomfortable. I feel fear, I want to run to get away from it. I beg for it to slow down... but it can't hear my voice.

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