Life's Garden

Loss is a Necessary Part of Life

Birth, and eventually death, are constant reminders of the fragile states of life.

From the moment you were born, you’ve been experiencing loss.

You continually give up what you have in one environment when you move to another.

When you grow and change through the stages of your life, you lose what you once were to what you can become.

Everything that exists on this planet gives way to something new.

Where this becomes painful is in your attachments ~ especially the people you know and love.

Whether the loss you experience occurs when someone moves away, breaks your heart,

or leaves because of death, the emptiness you feel can be beyond words.

Like the rising and setting of the sun, know that the end to one thing is the beginning of another.

This realization will not take away the pain of grief but will remind you

of how precious the time we spend here really is.

Accept the duality of life and death and be open to new beginnings. (S. Finelli)

Activities

CREATIVITY

Read the article 'The Five Stages of Grief' as a review of the information covered in the video.

Preserve the memory of your loved one (or even a pet) with one or more of the following ideas:

Create a memory bracelet with beads that represent some of their favorite things. (see example to the right)

Decorate or design your own special frame and include a picture of your loved one.

For the loss of a pet, create a keepsake box to hold important items you choose to keep in honor of your pet’s memory, such as a collar, photos, or other small items.

Create a personalized Christmas Tree ornament to remind you of them during the holidays.