Remembering

To remember a sadness, a hardship, a loss of our own or of many people, is not always an easy thing to do.  But if we don’t allow remembrance, we won’t be allowing a natural, necessary process of healing.  I don’t even want to mention closure.  I think closure is something one may never achieve.  Who in the world gets to the point of “closing” off a part of themselves?  Our experiences define and shape us.

A process of healing makes more sense.  Consider it akin to a wound on the skin.  Very painful at first, but treating it, watching over it, maybe covering it up sometimes--but not too often--is necessary to move life forward.  Healing is a process that takes time; sometimes it is excruciatingly slow.  Maybe a scar will emerge after the healing.  A scar left as a reminder; it will always be a part of us.

Thus, remembrance will be a teacher, a guide.  It will reflect a measure of how much we’ve grown.  Hopefully remembrance will always bring a deep gratitude for what we have now, what we have had in the past, and what we’ve learned.  Remembrance of others’ pain and loss and acknowledging your concern for them is a part of everyone’s healing too.

We remember in order to move forward.  Healing is a welcome, necessary process in becoming whole.       Theresa M