You’re right there
but you’re gone.
Imagining the future without you
takes magic out of the world
silences our laughter
slices out our hearts.
You’re right here,
but you’re gone.
Lost to us
at great cost to us
There isn’t enough chocolate* in the world
to assuage this agony, unrelenting.
You’re right here,
but our story is ending.
.
.
.
My colleagues and I are grieving the loss of a great leader. We will go on with the new again, of course. But sometimes, before you pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and pull it together, you need to wallow for a while in the emotions you’re feeling. Loss is painful. Change is scary. We’ll get through it, but accepting the grief is healthy, too.
*some people may wish to substitute a beverage, shoes, or other favoured ‘pick me up.’
Shawn L. Bird 