Episode 29: New Year, Same Grief

“See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the wilderness I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers.” ~Isaiah 43:19

Summary:

In this episode, Elizabeth Leon, Brittany Primeaux, and Anna Gowasack discuss the complexities of navigating grief as they enter a new year. They reflect on personal experiences and the challenges of moving into a year our child will never live in and the fear of another year of suffering. They share personal stories of loss, the rhythm of grief, and the importance of community and connection. The discussion emphasizes the need for surrendering to new beginnings and finding gratitude amidst sorrow. Through their experiences, they highlight the transformative power of God to bring rivers in the wilderness of grief. 

Takeaways:

  • Grief can be hard to access, especially in a new year.

  • The passage of time can feel like a closing of a chapter.

  • It's okay to not feel like you're living your best life.

  • Finding small moments of joy amidst grief is possible.

  • Community support is crucial for grieving parents.

  • Living in the present moment helps manage anxiety about the future.

  • Hope can emerge even in the wilderness of grief.

  • It's important to acknowledge feelings of being forgotten.  

  • Liminal spaces can bring us closer to our loved ones who have passed.

  • Surrendering to what is can lead to personal growth.

  • Community support is vital in navigating grief.

  • Embracing new beginnings can be a part of the healing process.

  • The journey of grief is not linear; it has waves and rhythms.

  • There is beauty in vulnerability and sharing our stories. 

Elizabeth Leon

Elizabeth Leon is the Director of Family Support for Red Bird Ministries. She and her husband Ralph are from Ashburn, Virginia and have ten children between them - five of hers, four of his, and their son, John Paul Raphael who died on January 5, 2018. His short and shining life was a sacred experience that transformed her heart and left a message of love for the world: let yourself be loved. She writes about finding the Lord in the darkness of grief in her book Let Yourself Be Loved: Big Lessons from a Little Life, available wherever books are sold. Read more from Elizabeth at www.letyourselfbeloved.com.

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Episode 30: When Hope is Hard

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Episode 28: Living in the Longing (Grief in Advent)