I haven't read Elizabeth Kubler Ross' book with this title but I'd like to. She discusses stages of grief that she has witnessed terminally ill people go through.
We have very recently experienced the death of a terminally ill person within our family. And now as a family we are left to decide how we will take it. How we will react. I have been blessed with a strong support network of friends and family and so far I would say I am dealing with the loss well.
Mostly I am focussing on being grateful for all the wonderful gifts I have been left with from our relationship and it is helping to keep the sadness at bay.
I am grateful for the gift of caring. I found out so many things about myself through caring for a terminally ill person. I am grateful for the opportunity and I also now know I can rely on my ability to care for other family members should the need arrive. A powerful gift. Thank you.
And then all the other gifts I received from having him as a part of my life - inspiration to travel and explore the world on my own terms, cycling, a love of folk music. His passion for whales and dolphins and the outdoors.
He was a generous, caring, gentle man. Loyal to his friends and family and to his passions.
I am grateful to have had him in my life and he will remain in my heart forever.
Sharing the book 'Badger's Parting Gifts' with my children has encouraged me to see just how valuable it is to look for the happy memories, especially to help my 3 year old son to understand.
Thank you. I hope you can find gratitude in your losses, it feels like a positive way to have our loved ones live on.