During my weekend walk, I wanted to find a cloud that looked like a bunny. I did. You might need to use your imagination in the photo to see the bunny. Passover and Easter are festivals of Spring. I think it is also a reminder of endurance and freedom.
Who doesn’t want to get outside and celebrate Spring? We long for beauty and new beginnings. We have memories with our parents, children, family, and friends. We just want to spend time together. I wasn’t able to be with my daughter to celebrate this year. I was so happy when she emailed and said she had a great celebration and missed me and grandma. I think the traditions and rituals we seed are for connection and humility, as well as, something to pass to our children as happy memories, appreciation, and hope for their future.
Traditions change because our lives shift whether by choice or circumstances. Make up new traditions and do something to celebrate life, new beginnings, and beauty. I planted my tomato seeds outside that finally got green and tall enough to be freed from my garage and paper cups and land in the nourished soil under the sun and moon.
I took down photos I had in my office and just left the green wall blank. I like it that way for now. Openness.
A mom called telling me she felt so lonely since her parents both were gone and her children lived too far to celebrate with her. She missed the life she had and didn’t have the ignition to start anything new. Being still has value. Big value. Rest, hearing just yourself think, feeling whatever you need to feel without interruptions, and learning you can move through a situation you dread. Crying. Change is never easy. Voices in your head can make peas of thoughts or huge watermelons of burden. Whatever floats in during grieving for what was and not knowing what will be, is simply feelings, not monsters.
Another mom shared during a session that she felt she was being punished since she was having so many days of sadness and disappointments. It hurts to be in grieving. It makes sense you would wonder if you were screwing up your life or having a life that just wasn’t a good day or week. When you check in with yourself, get quiet, and see more than the week or month of your life, I think you will be able to feel your value and gift of life. I for sure know it isn’t natural to shift to the bigger picture of your whole life verses short term. I also know that allowing that critic to push you down when you are already down is unhealthy. You aren’t screwing up your life or a screwed up person. There is more to you than you are remembering during sorrow and loss. Compassion and curiosity for yourself might lift you. Who wouldn’t be sad when life changes and you didn’t ask for it? Reach towards someone who can hear you. One mom shared with a stranger in the grocery store in the meat department. She felt better.
Festivals of Spring. Share here how you are celebrating or email natalie@emptynestsupport.com
Take care,
Natalie
Los Angeles, Ca.
818-763-0188
Natalie Caine, M.A. natalie@lifeintransition.org
Join conversation