To Remember and to Forget

Roadside Memorials Copyright by WyoJones. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

I used to look at roadside memorials and wonder how they helped the grieving process. I understand better now. I’m not sure I know exactly where my parent’s accident happened. It feels wrong that there is no sign of anything happening anywhere in the area, a place that changed our lives so profoundly.

Why am I talking about this now? We create memorials to remember, but not everyone wants to remember. Not everyone I know is looking forward to the holidays. For many, this season holds more pain than joy. We label people as a Scrooge if they won’t smile or join in the joy, but do we ask why? Do we know about the empty seats at their table or are we aware of pain they don’t share?

I know my Christmas is a bittersweet one as I continue to feel the loss of my parents. It was hard to write this post because I’m pretty private about my feelings. But I wanted to acknowledge all the visitors to my blog, the happy and the sad.

All deserve our kindness and compassion.

May all of us find comfort in our own way during this special month.

Perilously yours,

Pauline