The Mission of The Grief Project

Thank you for wanting more information about the “The Grief Project” blog. The last seven months have been the toughest months of my life, with the loss of my mother last December, the sudden death of my dad in February, and my miscarriage at 2 ½ months this past May. I did not fully understand the depths of grief until this past year, nor have I learned more about how resilient the human heart is. I am also grateful for the out-pouring of love and kindness that all of my friends (you guys) have given me and for the constant support you have shown. With your kind words and caring letters, emails, and generosity, I have tried to grieve well. For when we grieve well, we heal. Healing does not mean, we can ever go back to the person we once were before tragic loss, but we can find ways to take our grief and move forward finding a new way of life through the ups and downs that the loss of a loved one will do to us physically, mentally, and emotionally. My hope for this new blog is to share my journey through grief, and showcase a guest blogger each week, who will share their journey into grief and how they were able to cope initially and how they are doing now. Grief is hard, whether it’s been a day, a month, a year, or thirty years. Grief never goes away, but we can learn how to not let it in. Recently, at a yoga and writing retreat in France, the yoga instructor said as we sat with our hips and arms open, that when we open our hips, we let grief out. A few days later during a moving afternoon meditation session, full tears rolled down many of our cheeks. After class, we felt better. We let grief out. Join me in this project and grieve well. I will be posting a different guest blogger each week and topics will include the loss of a parent, significant other, child, close relative, or friend. Grief connects those of us who have lost a great burning light that once in our life and now is physically gone but not gone from our hearts and minds. I will also be reading and reviewing books on grief that readers might find helpful when dealing with tragic loss. We are all connected. Death binds us in a cosmic way. I hope through my stories and other encouraging stories of hope through grief, you will not feel alone. I hope this blog will offer others a chance for healing and light. Take this light and let its healing energy burn in you bright and strong. If you would like to take part in this blog, please tell me your story. You can use the questions below as aguide to help you tell your story. If you have a blog, website, or have published works, please let us know this as well. I also need an email address, so I can get written consent from your prior to posting your blog entry. You may also send one or two photos that will accompany your blog. Queestions: 1. Your name, age and gender 2. Who was the loved one that died? 3. How did they die and when? You do not need to give all details, just general information. This part is hard for many to write, so if you choose to not complete this part fully, that is ok. 3. How did your initially grieve? 4. How has death changed you? 5. How do you deal with the loss now? Blessings, Christina Ruotolo