Grief is not a disorder, a disease, or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical, and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve.
– Earl Grollman
2024 – how’s it been for you so far? In numerology, this year is an eight which represents balance. In the Chinese zodiac, it is the year of the Dragon. Specifically, the Wood Dragon, which happens every 60 years. The powerful Wood Dragon is associated with good luck, strength, and health.
I was talking about the new year with a group of Gestaltists. We all agreed that it already seemed like it had been months instead of a week. Interestingly, we all felt the same way. And this is a leap year so the year will be a day longer than normal.
I sometimes have weeks that seem to drag on. I also think these are times when I tend to get more done. I’ll look back and think “It’s only Wednesday? It feels like it should be Friday.”
Charles Socolofsky with Raise A Secret, a stallion that he raised.
Since I saw a piece on CBS Sunday Morning by Anderson Cooper about grief on New Year’s Eve I’ve been listening to his podcast about grief. It’s called All There Is. What drew me to his message is that he said he felt better when he shared his grief with others who understand.
My first experience with the loss of a close family member was my beloved grandfather. He’s the one who fed my passion for horses. I can’t remember a time that I didn’t have a horse in my life even though my parents were not horse people.
Grandpa and Grandma had a farm about 45 miles south of Oakley. I would spend time with them when I could—getting up early and going out to the farm with him. I’d ride my pony while he worked. They lived in town and Grandma would bring lunch out. Usually, I would go back to town with her. Sometimes we’d go to the ceramic shop and work together on ceramics.
Susan meets Rain Bug as a foal.
Grandpa died when I was pregnant with our first son. Mike and his dad had lost some of the ground they leased due to the death of the owner. Grandpa had lost his farm help due to injury. We moved to their farm the first part of April. The baby was due in mid-August. I had been trying to get my horse Zandy Parr qualified for the World Championship Quarter Horse Show that was held in November. Dad, a doctor, had told me my balance would be off around month five of my pregnancy and I shouldn’t ride anymore. When I went to see my doctor around that time he couldn’t hear the baby’s heartbeat beat so he ordered an ultrasound. Turns out the baby wasn’t due until the first of September. Zandy had already gone to Tina’s who qualified him in the open jumping class.
I believe in divine timing. Grandpa died at the end of May. For the time between our moving to their farm and his death, I had taken him to the racetrack in Holly, CO so he could watch his horses race. If I had known I was due later than we thought I would have probably still been showing Zandy. I cherish that time I spent with Grandpa.
Grief Connections is a safe, sacred space where you can share with others who understand. Here’s to good luck, strength, and good health in 2024. Click the link below for your no-obligation Zoom to see if it’s a good fit for you.
Grief can Hurt.
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Onward!
