In Minnesota, we often talk about the weather in March coming in like a lion and out like a lamb (or the opposite). Believe it or not, it often is true. Sometimes March starts with a blizzard and ends with the greening of spring. At other times, March enters feeling like spring and ending with big sloppy snowfalls.
Grief can often feel like the lion and the lamb, going from pain to comfort, from tears to laughter, from questioning to peace, from depression to steadiness, from anger to acceptance, from loneliness to satisfaction, from sorrow to joy. The feelings come so fast that it may seem like one is experiencing several emotions at the same time. The author of Psalms was no stranger to wild swings of emotion. At times he lived in fear for his life, and at other times, he was calm and joyful. In Psalm 30, he writes of sorrow turning to joy. He wrote: “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” While grieving, we will sometimes weep, and like the psalmist, we may have long nights of weeping. Also, while grieving, we may get to rejoicing, and we may have times of happiness return to us. These intense feelings of vacillating from joy to sorrow are a normal experience of grief, and you are not alone — not now, not ever. The good news is that intense grief eventually lessens. As you live through the “lion” time of your grief, may you lean forward into the “lamb” time when it feels better.
Grief Support (offered via Zoom)
The lion and the lamb
Wednesday, March 18, 7-8 PM CT
Pathways to Hope
Thursdays, March 12, 19, 26 & April 2, 11AM – 12 PM.
We’ll explore the role of hope in times of loss.
If you are interested in joining a group, or establishing one at your community, contact Optage Hospice or call Jenny Schroedel at 651-341-7105. Optage is the home and community services division of Presbyterian Homes & Services.