How has a death put your life in perspective?
March 18, 2010 by JoAnne
Filed under HOPE and INSPIRATION
I put a message out on Twitter the other day and asked “How has death put your life in perspective?”
Because I believe death does change how you look at life and depending on the relationship you had with
a loved one who has died your perspective may be different than others. I really thought these comments
were worth sharing with everyone, so thank you to all who commented.
Please feel free to add your comments to this post if you feel so inspired.
Melissa Miller
Life on earth is short and not forever, but eternity is………………sometimes it take someone to die to make you realize how short this life really is…………….
Nelle Seda
It has opened my eyes to the fact that life is worth “living” not just walking through with work and responsabilty….”live” life, enjoy the company of friends and family, try new things
Susan Bogart
and I have to agree with the above. One becomes very conscious of the briefness of life after a loss and also has to make a conscious effort to simply breathe. That leads to a freedom of sorts. A freedom to set new priorities just to survive.
Sandra Rees Mills
Melissa, Jackson Browne said in a song “Does it take a Death to learn what a Life is Worth!
Renee Banovich
Very well put Susan!
Kim Eckstrom Beslin
Susan, I couldn’t agree with you more! Since my mom’s cancer returned, and her ultimate passing on 1/7/10; I’ve really learned the “don’t sweat the small stuff” life is just too short!! I try not to let life stress me!! and yes, I do have to make a conscious effort to simply breathe and get up every day!
Nelle Seda
see…we do learn something from death…
Kendra Von Achen
it’s made me realize just how important the family and friends are in your life…to lean on, to make you laugh, to be okay to cry in front of, and to make each day on earth better.
Doris Good After losing 2 brothers and both parents in 7 years, their deaths taught me the preciousness of remembering. I have no one to call and say “remember when” with. I realize that I have to reinvent myself because I no longer live the rolls of Bill and Terry’s Sister or Bill and Doris Jean’s daughter. I didn’t know how much of me was a part of those relationships. Now I have rememberances, rituals to satisfy the need to say “remember when we….”. It taught me that the silence of sending balloons to my departed and visualizing them taking the balloons up to the heavens can be a very soothing and satisfying moment of peace and rememberance.
“Death puts life in perspective” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Get Your Free Grief Card
Jane Opolot on Thu, 18th Mar 2010 11:17 pm
Losing a 34 year old in a motor accident made me realise that death is almost part of life. Someone is around and and the next few hours is no more. I no longer take the presence of a loved one for granted – better to give them the best one can – time, gifts, etc
[Reply]
Helen Harden on Sat, 8th May 2010 2:09 pm
The day of my husband’s death was the worst day of my life. After being married for 35 years, I was at a loss and saying “what do I do now?” Well, I try to live my life the best I can. I get out and enjoy myself and try to smile. Also I think of how would my husband want me to be. I know he would not want me sitting and crying all the time (even though there are times that are harder than others). I know he would want me to be happy too. It is hard though, I just take it one day at at time and yes life is way to short and you do not know from one day to the next what may happen.
[Reply]
JoAnne Reply:
May 13th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Thanks for your comment Helen, all of us who are widows say “What do I do now?” because our spouse is half of who we are and we now
need to find a new normal. I’m glad to hear you take it one day at a time because that’s all you need to do and living in the moment is so much more meaningful.
[Reply]
Iris Soileau on Thu, 13th May 2010 12:00 pm
I agree with Helen. My husband’s death last year in January really tore me up inside. I still have my days where all I want to do is cry. But I know that is not how he would have wanted us to live our lives. He would have wanted us to be happy. I have also been taking things one day at a time. And just trying to live life for my children; trying by best to make sure that they are happy.
[Reply]
JoAnne Reply:
May 13th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Iris,
thank you for your comments. I think I cried non-stop the first month, the sadness just took my breath away. Grieving takes time and living again takes time to establish that new normal also. I hope in time you will discover again what YOU love and persue those things. Perhaps take some time and jot down all the things you love without editing, like what did you love before you were married? Discovering who we are again after being a couple can often times be an exhilarating time, we just have to be open to it.
[Reply]