Cut Flowers & Memories: Musings on Spring
“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.” - Pablo Neruda
Dear Friends,
Who would want to cut all the flowers, you say? Those who are well acquainted with grief can tell you—we do odd things at times—to keep time from passing. Such as cutting all the flowers; or sleeping around the clock; or letting the dishes pile up in the sink until finally, the bowl they bought us in Warsaw falls and shatters.
And our heart shatters again.
Grief would not just keep time from passing, it would stop it, rewind it—back to when our person was alive. Or when our life seemed together. Happier.
What is one moment or memory you wish you could pause and return to?
You are not alone in wanting that moment back. Beautiful moments, painful moments—they are all part of the brush strokes of this crazy, chaotic, and amazing life. And I promise you, I too, wish I could press stop, go back, replay.
Of course, nothing can stop life from moving forward. Or Spring from coming. And in the end, I wouldn’t want it to. Despite the pain. Despite the sadness. Despite the moments of sheer desperate agony.
Grief is the price of love. And it is a cost I am willing to bear.
Much like I am willing to bear the cold, grey days of Winter that seem to last endlessly. I cocoon and hibernate as much as I can, knowing that this time, this season, as rough as it may be, will not last forever.
And that’s a comfort.
Welcome Our New Friends!*
Special shout out to Tomesha Campbell, Founder of Enhance Black Women’s Health, and Jennette Brown, author of the Don’t Sum Me Up newsletter here on Substack, for recommending The Grief Curator. Your recommendations worked!
We had new subscribers join us in January and February! Please welcome them in the comments!
You have each taken a step into a space where your grief is not a burden that you must carry alone. Here in the Grief Curator community, grief is a personal yet shared experience that connects us all. Every story, every tear, and every moment of joy is honored—without judgement.
Thank you for choosing to be part of our community.
*This will be a new regular section whenever new friends sign up!
Grief Journal Circle
My first 6-Week Grief Journal Circle—Pain to Paper to Peace—wrapped up on 17 February and it was a wonderful experience. I purposely kept it intimate as the topic of grief and loss makes us all feel exposed and vulnerable.
Based on the verbal feedback I received from the participants, I will open up a Spring session in April, dates to be announced.
Make sure The Grief Curator is on your safe list, so when I send out the announcement, you don’t miss it.
Where’s the Book?!
Do you remember the old Wendy’s commercial—Where’s the Beef?” Now Wendy’s takes their trolling to social media more often than not.
As for me, every time someone asks whether the book has been published, I cringe and run and hide under my desk, scooting my fluffy orange tabby out of the way.
It’s over due, I know. Let me tell you, imposter syndrome is real! Coupled with the anxiety that I am fully honoring my father with this story.
However, I promised my friend Lisa Geraci Rigoni that I would push this book baby out in the Spring, so onwards and upwards!
If you made it this far, thanks for reading! In this era of information overload, I strive to keep these grief-y love letters brief so you have time to process and hold space for yourself.
Remember, your grief journey is yours; take as much time as you need.
Sending you love, light, and peace,
~ Michelle