Riley’s Rainforest: Living with Loss
If you’ve ever had a favorite friend move away or lost a family pet, you know how sad and empty it can feel. Those feelings are even stronger and deeper when a person close to you dies. You might feel sad, angry, scared, or worried. Or you might be numb, like you can’t feel anything at all.
Though it is hard, grieving over a loss is a process that everyone goes through at some point. And everyone grieves differently. Some people can’t eat or sleep, while some eat or sleep more than usual. Some people like to talk about their feelings, while others need time alone to think and pray. As long as you’re not hurting yourself or others, there’s no wrong way to grieve.
One thing that may help is to imagine your departed loved one in a beautiful, peaceful place. Many faiths teach that after the body’s death, the soul moves on to a spiritual world to be closer to God.
Viewing a scrapbook with family members can help us enjoy happy memories.
Focusing on happy memories can help, too. Sharing funny stories with friends and family can lighten the mood and help ease some of the sadness. Try recording your memories in a journal or scrapbook. If a friend has moved, send them letters and photos to let them know you miss them.
Finally, praying—for yourself, your loved one, and others who are grieving—can bring you peace. It might be hard to believe, but in time, your heavy sadness will become lighter.
Explore & Soar: Honoring Loved Ones
When those we care about leave this world, it’s natural to want to hold on to them somehow. You can honor them with a tribute to their life. Here are some ideas to celebrate your loved ones:
- Create a special frame for your favorite photo of them.
- Create a scrapbook of happy memories.
- Plant a tree or garden in their memory.
- Participate in a charity or service project in their name.
- Hold a prayer gathering to remember and pray for them.
- Before you fall asleep at night, think about them and silently tell them about your day.
Images: Tetiana Soares, kate_sept2004, yacobchuk
Families76 Characters466 Riley101 Loss1 Death8 Soul13 Spirituality11 Religion37 Trust in God3 Grief3 Riley’s Rainforest38