Appreciate the conversation and wisdom and insights shared. Coming from a more liberal space, I had the opposite experience; in the midst of this ROGD nightmare, I returned after many years to my Catholic Christian upbringing and have a renewed faith in God. I have a new appreciation and deeper understanding of the biblical stories, especially the Book of Job; they speak to me in a way that I just could not relate to when I was younger, and as I read and study these stories with fresh eyes, I see that nothing is new in our day: suffering and loss have always been a part of the human condition, and though we have been jolted into this insane reality quite against our will, my faith tells me there is a purpose that I may not yet understand. Lynn spoke of radical acceptance, and I think I am learning to do that but from a Christian perspective--I am learning to let go, to trust the Mystery of God, the Source of All Life, and to accept that all is working to some good that I cannot see now but in faith I know will come. People--even people of faith--may fail us, but God never abandons us, not even when we abandon him. I see God working in my life every day--guiding me to posts I need to read and podcasts I need to hear, prompting me at times quite unexpectedly to walk outdoors where I am brought outside myself to encounter something greater such as the rising of a magnificent orange full moon or the ghostly mist gliding mysteriously over the park lawn in the wee hours of the morning, bringing strangers into my life whose kind words in a brief encounter are exactly what I need in that moment to lift my spirits...The synchronicities are too numerous to count. God's grace is everywhere if we are open to receive it.
Thank you so much for this comment! I believe my experience may more resemble yours with a renewed appreciation for ancient practices of faith. I approach it a little differently, though, looking for the universals among all the faith traditions, because like you, I'm "learning to let go, to trust the Mystery (of God, the Universe, the natural order of things, the Source)..." I see a beautiful connectedness that is beyond my human ability to fully comprehend. I've truly fallen in love with the richness of Life and feel more in tune and at one with all that is.
I also loved Lynn's description of "radical acceptance" and how to practice it, and I'm so grateful the message at StoicMom is resonating for people of varying backgrounds and belief systems. It also seems to be a universal experience that when something this destabilizing and tragic visits us, it presents an opportunity to re-examine our values and what's not currently working in our lives so we can "upgrade" to whatever experience will better serve us. I love that you found healing and a new way of being in the world!
If you've not listened to "Looking for Miracles--with Erin" yet, you may also appreciate that episode. ;)
Lynn’s story is unimaginable and so necessary for others to hear and her beautiful writing conveys it all. Thanks for being so courageous in your pain.
Whether ambiguous or not, and regardless of the circumstance, feeling the emotion of grief is the same. It’s a valid emotion all humans feel. The circumstance doesn’t make one person’s grief more valid, more acceptable or more understandable. It’s a painful emotion all around.
Thank you for this important comment, Lisa! I'm also so moved by Lynn's tragic story and the courage and vulnerability she has modeled for others dealing with estrangement. Families need as many healing stories we can find! (Yours included! We should have you on for an update soon.)
Appreciate the conversation and wisdom and insights shared. Coming from a more liberal space, I had the opposite experience; in the midst of this ROGD nightmare, I returned after many years to my Catholic Christian upbringing and have a renewed faith in God. I have a new appreciation and deeper understanding of the biblical stories, especially the Book of Job; they speak to me in a way that I just could not relate to when I was younger, and as I read and study these stories with fresh eyes, I see that nothing is new in our day: suffering and loss have always been a part of the human condition, and though we have been jolted into this insane reality quite against our will, my faith tells me there is a purpose that I may not yet understand. Lynn spoke of radical acceptance, and I think I am learning to do that but from a Christian perspective--I am learning to let go, to trust the Mystery of God, the Source of All Life, and to accept that all is working to some good that I cannot see now but in faith I know will come. People--even people of faith--may fail us, but God never abandons us, not even when we abandon him. I see God working in my life every day--guiding me to posts I need to read and podcasts I need to hear, prompting me at times quite unexpectedly to walk outdoors where I am brought outside myself to encounter something greater such as the rising of a magnificent orange full moon or the ghostly mist gliding mysteriously over the park lawn in the wee hours of the morning, bringing strangers into my life whose kind words in a brief encounter are exactly what I need in that moment to lift my spirits...The synchronicities are too numerous to count. God's grace is everywhere if we are open to receive it.
Thank you so much for this comment! I believe my experience may more resemble yours with a renewed appreciation for ancient practices of faith. I approach it a little differently, though, looking for the universals among all the faith traditions, because like you, I'm "learning to let go, to trust the Mystery (of God, the Universe, the natural order of things, the Source)..." I see a beautiful connectedness that is beyond my human ability to fully comprehend. I've truly fallen in love with the richness of Life and feel more in tune and at one with all that is.
I also loved Lynn's description of "radical acceptance" and how to practice it, and I'm so grateful the message at StoicMom is resonating for people of varying backgrounds and belief systems. It also seems to be a universal experience that when something this destabilizing and tragic visits us, it presents an opportunity to re-examine our values and what's not currently working in our lives so we can "upgrade" to whatever experience will better serve us. I love that you found healing and a new way of being in the world!
If you've not listened to "Looking for Miracles--with Erin" yet, you may also appreciate that episode. ;)
Lynn’s story is unimaginable and so necessary for others to hear and her beautiful writing conveys it all. Thanks for being so courageous in your pain.
Whether ambiguous or not, and regardless of the circumstance, feeling the emotion of grief is the same. It’s a valid emotion all humans feel. The circumstance doesn’t make one person’s grief more valid, more acceptable or more understandable. It’s a painful emotion all around.
Thank you for this important comment, Lisa! I'm also so moved by Lynn's tragic story and the courage and vulnerability she has modeled for others dealing with estrangement. Families need as many healing stories we can find! (Yours included! We should have you on for an update soon.)