Coming out of deep sorrow
Two months after unexpectedly losing my wife, here's what I've learned on my grief journey so far.
An update to my family and friends: Recently, the fog of grief has started to lift just a bit. I’ve strung together a number of days where I feel a lightness of heart and a measure of gratitude.
Admittedly, I don’t really understand why. But the trend line is positive. I’m putting weight back on that I’ve lost (the grief diet, not recommended!), I’m sleeping better, I’m more optimistic, I laugh easily.
The work that I’ve been engaged in these last 9 weeks- journaling, praying, sharing, weeping and sitting quietly with my grief has been healing my soul at a time when my soul desperately needed healing.
Let’s be perfectly clear: I still miss Jody so terribly and mourn her loss. I always will. Jody is like the sky, she covers everything. But my being is a bit lighter and finding reasons to be grateful, which is helping to expand my capacity to hold both sorrow and joy simultaneously.
This, to me, given how I’ve felt for long stretches during this train wreck of a journey filled with heartache and pain is nothing short of miraculous. Only God can wrest beauty from tragedy.
To those who have encouraged me, listened to me, cried with me, prayed for me and loved me, I thank you. And I know that Jody thanks you too.
Love to all 💜
About Paul
If you've navigated the complexities of love, loss, or life's unpredictable twists and turns, this blog is for you. Paul, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2022 and lost his beloved Jody in 2024, is also a father, new grandfather and a speaker/writer. Paul writes to make sense of the world around him, sharing his personal journey through grief, Parkinson’s, and life's challenges. With a mix of lightheartedness, thoughtfulness, and unwavering authenticity, Paul offers a relatable and heartfelt perspective on the human experience. His writing is often described as warm, genuine and deeply moving.