Books are lighthouses erected in the great sea of time……E.P. Whipple
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I write so therefore I read. It is one of my great delights in life. One day I was reading novels. The next day I was plunged into a nightmare of grief and found I couldn’t read a thing. My concentration had deserted me……but not for long.
In my grief, books became my anchor. They were a stablising and natural ally that I came to depend on in the alien world I now found myself in. I spent hours in the library, on the internet, in bookshops and buried in my own bookshelves….. searching.
I had 3 burning questions:
1) Where is my son now?
2) How have other people survived what I am going through?
3) How do I nourish my soul and replenish my spirit?
So I read looking for information. I read when I needed consolation. But more importantly I read because I needed hope. Even though my heart felt like it was literally hanging out of me ripped and in bleeding shreds, my soul held a shard of burning hope. Hope that one day; I too would not only be reunited with my son, but one day I would be like the women I read about. One day my soul would sing again. It did and does. Yours will too, one day.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
This is so true. In the past few years I’ve been drawn to memoirs–mainly those written by women with dysfunctional childhoods. They give me hope that I too could one day be in a place where I am strong enough and healed enough to look back and write my own story.
Jenny Stamos recently posted..When a blog has a birthday
I agree that books on grief and mourning are very helpful. I have read several books on grief since my dad died in October. It really does give me hope to see that other people are experiencing the same feelings that I am. It gives me comfort to read how other people move past their grief and move on to help others in this difficult journey.
Thank you for a wonderful post! This blog is a real blessing.
Janette Fuller recently posted..An Amway Network Marketing Fiasco
Hope means so much Jenny when we are struggling day to day.
I’m pleased you also gained much needed salve from hearing from others who had trod a similar path.
Maureen Hunter recently posted..Books for Grief- Books for Hope
Janette it does give so much comfort to know that we are ‘normal’ in our grief as it seems very abnormal when we are in the middle of it.
Knowing that others have found meaning in life following the loss of someone they love can help us so much in our grieving and healing.
Thanks for your comment and support, it means a great deal
Maureen Hunter recently posted..Books for Grief- Books for Hope
I have also found books to be of comfort in dealing with Life Issues. It’s always comforting to know that others are dealing with the same issues. Thanks for the reminder of how books are good for the soul, Maureen.
Jennifer recently posted..Blogging 10 Tips!
They are total soul food Jennifer. So glad you also found them to be of comfort.
Maureen Hunter recently posted..Books for Grief- Books for Hope