Loss Of Loved Ones Is Difficult To Handle

The universe takes and gives everything you didn't know you needed. These prompts are an invitation to step inside yourself and explore what balance means to you. Rupi Kaur

The medicine wheel reminds me of balance. All equal parts. Sometimes when they aren't equal things are not running smoothly. That means we have work to be done. Our grandfather teachings help with this as do other teachings within the culture.

Using what we were given as a people. Our medicines. Water is medicine as is food. Our plant medicines. All for the benefit of the people. The ceremony is important. And ceremony can be incorporated into just about everything. Living a spiritual life provides balance or helps to create it.

These are all things that have helped me in life, especially in difficult situations.

Rupi Kaur's Balance Writing Prompt - On average this week, what time did you finish work? Write about how this makes you feel.

Work was difficult this week as I have a neck problem, not allowing me to do as much as I had planned. I have learned to accept my age and the consequences of time as an elder.

Most days I sit down at the television with the hubby by 8:00 p.m. I begin my day at 5:00 a.m. most days.

As a retired person, I am working part-time. I get about half as much as I got done when working full-time. I read a lot more than I did and write more than I did when working full-time.

Rupi Kaur's Balance Writing Prompt - Write about a time you handled a difficult situation.

The photo above shows a funeral at the gravesite. My handling of difficult situations was definitely when my mother, sister, and brother died. We had very little notice of any of their deaths. Our mother had been in a nursing home for rehab, for a broken neck from a fall.

After being in the nursing home for a few months, I got a call that she was being transferred to the hospital. I made it to the hospital as she was arriving and was with her there right away. We went through the emergency room process and she was given a room in Intensive Care.

When three young doctors came into the room we could tell they were not bringing good news. We were told my mother was dying. Then we were told that they could keep her alive until the family could get there.

My mother was fine. She told the doctors that she was okay with the news and that I would be the one who would have a hard time.

She was right. The hospital had policies about smudging and I fought about that until we were allowed to smudge in the visitor's room. My mother asked that I go get food to feed our guests when they came from out of town. Within hours her room was full as was the waiting room.

People were hungry and fed when they arrived.

When we were alone my mother told me it was important to her to die before her children. I didn't know how soon that would be and I didn't think it would be my sister, even though my mother seemed to know.

Right after our mother's death, my sister was diagnosed with leukemia. She lived for almost a year after my mother's death. It would have been a year in hours. Even though it was expected in the end as she was told she could prolong her life and she would maybe have 3 months, she decided not to.

Going through that time with my sister was tough. I remained strong for my sister and her children. We didn't get to grieve our mother fully either, so I had to grieve.

Rupi Kaur's Balance Writing Prompt - Write a letter to yourself about what you've accomplished in your career, relationships, or social life.

Dear Denise, miigwech for doing all that you did in your time before you retired. I know you think of your last position as taking your turn, but it was important work that you were able to get done.

Miigwech for all that you did in helping others. It is a good thing that you are at a place where you have no regrets about past relationships or current relationships.

Miigwech for the social life you have and the people in that group. The loving, caring, giving family and friends that are supportive and there for you whenever needed.

Migwech, DEL