Grief's Secret Garden

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Explore the profound nature of grief through poetic meditation, drawing on theological wisdom and personal imagery to create a space of understanding for those experiencing loss.

• Karl Rahner's reflection that "every one of the departed has taken a piece of my heart"
• The physical dimension of grief and longing to hold loved ones again
• Finding comfort in spiritual presence when the way feels lost

Feel free to send any questions you might have about grieving to my email. I'll try to answer any questions you have in the future. Remember I'm always available for spiritual direction by Zoom to those who are grieving. Please reach out to me if you have this need.

Remember I'm always available for spiritual direction by Zoom to those who are grieving. Listen every Friday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music for spiritual direction, art, and workshops shared through Santa Clara University, https://events.scu.edu/markey-center/event/344943-spiritual-accompaniment

You can reach us at: [e-mail].
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE

Art:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and  https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6

Music and sound effects today by:   via Pixabay

Episode Transcript

Candee (00:19):
I welcome you to Solace: Soul + Grief.
My name's Candee Lucas and I'ma grief chaplain.
I accompany those who aregrieving any kind of loss and I
ask that you let me accompanyyou today.
You're always welcome in thiscircle of healing, love and

(00:39):
support.
Remember, we are all on thisjourney together.
The Jesuit theologian KarlRahner wrote-- I should like to

(01:00):
remember my dead, all those whowent, who belong to me and have
now left me.
There are far too many to betaken in with one glance.
The dear ones who were andstill are close to my heart,
those bound together by reallove.

(01:21):
That's why my heart is now withthem, with my loved ones who've
taken a leave of me.
There is no substitute for them.
There are no others who canfill the vacancy when one of
those whom I have really lovedsuddenly and unexpectedly parts

(01:42):
and is with me no more.
In truth, no one can replaceanother person in that depth
where he is uniquely andirreplaceably himself.
Every one of the departed hastaken a piece of my heart with
him, and often enough of myheart with him and often enough

(02:04):
of my whole heart.
When one is truly loved, griefis ultimate and definitive.
It shows that a piece of ourown heart has really died and is
now living with the dead.
Of what use is it to say, asthe philosophers, that the dead

(02:24):
still exist, that they live on?
Are they with me, since I lovethem?
Are they also with me?
They have gone away.
They are silent.
Not a word comes through fromthem, not a single sign of their
gentle loving k indness comesto warm my heart.

(02:45):
That is the color of our grief.
Oh my soul, never forget yourdead.
One day, I lost my way from mygarden of grief and the path

(03:10):
seemed obscured.
I tried to walk down this pathand after a few steps, my feet
are cut and bleeding and I slumpto the ground and make myself
small and tears stream down.

(03:33):
I am lost, I am lost.
I see a far-off light, but itis oh, so dim, like a candle
that is already burning itselfdown, and whispers and whispers

(03:56):
are near me, speaking words Idon't yet recognize.
I am lost.
I am lost, I am lost.
Keeping me safe is my God, myrabbi and my master.
The grass, the ground is warm,beneath my body is warm and soft

(04:24):
and I lie down now, but tearsstill come for all of them, my
baby and my love, my mother andmy father, my grandmothers and
grandfathers and the long lineof women, most of whom left

(04:48):
their lives and sailed acrossthe ocean to bring me here, to
birth me here.
I cannot move from this spot onthe path, and I know the path to
the future is obscure.
Those who love me follow me.

(05:15):
I miss them.
I long to hold them --more.
I long to be held by them.
Could there be something moreexquisite than that warm flesh?
Lie with me here, Put your armsaround me, move the hair from

(05:37):
my eyes when you touch my face.
Lord, lead me home.
Will I ever be ready to go withyou?
How much I miss them.
I lost my way again later inthat day, but God was still

(05:57):
beside me.
My feet were still bleeding, mythroat was still dry, my eyes
were still red and my heart wasstill broken.
Yet for an instant I was ableto hold my baby, who never
breathed in life, in my arms.

(06:19):
She was perfect, beautiful andpink, a rose-shaped mouth and
beautiful rosy cheeks.
I smelled her head and ittouched something inside of me.
I kissed her lightly, wrappedher pink quilt around her,

(06:41):
handed her back to her father,who gently kissed me on the
forehead.
Goodbye for now.
Then the mothers of my line cameand made a circle around me and
murmured in prayers, --Love isall.

(07:08):
All is love.
Alpha love, omega love--.
And God wrapped us in hisgolden cord of love and we
disappeared into one perfectgolden jewel to repose in His
own heart.
Amen.
That concludes this week'sepisode.

(07:40):
You can find us on Apple,Spotify or Amazon.
Feel free to send anyquestions you might have about
grieving to my email in the shownotes.
I'll try to answer anyquestions you have in the future
.
Remember I'm always availablefor spiritual direction by Zoom

(08:05):
to those who are grieving.
Please reach out to me if youhave this need.
Be safe, travel with God alwaysat your side.
Vaya con Dios.