The title is stolen from an Indie rock band I like called "Carbon Leaf"

I wanted to put up an open thread for anyone dealing with grief and loss. My grandmother, my rock, my guardian angel, is going home in the day or so, and saying it has been hard is an understatement.

The loss of someone and sorrow that ensues rarely comes alone. Usually other things get pulled into it. Some of it is physical (the funeral, cleaning up a home and getting rid of things), some of it is bureaucratic (dealing with estates, taxes, and final expense), and some of it...some of it is much worse (family at odds with one another, fighting).

I'm currently deal with all of it, including legal battles, threats of violence and death against family from other family members.

So I wanted to put out an open prayer, well wish, energy, or whatever you believe in, that your pain is valid and meaningful. That you deserve relief, rest, peace, and love. To any of you hurting now, to any of you suffering, I'm sending you my best, I am wishing you well, and I'm praying for you to find grace, peace, closure and resolution.

This life is so very short...

Be well friends.
Jason

I have gone through almost the same thing that you have gone through. My mother passed away on Columbus Day/Indigenous People Day in 2021 and currently as I post this, my father, who is 80 years old and in failing health are trying to straighten out what my mom left behind and it has been a very tense and at times tedious task where he and I have argued about what to do next which has been stressful on me. I still feel the pain of losing my mother who I loved so dearly and when I was working as a distribution clerk back in 2021 in my regular non-wam life, I chose to go to work the following day after she had passed and before I got my working day started when I arrived at my office, I looked out at the window near my desk and I couldn't hold back my emotions, breaking down and crying for a few minutes. My supervisor and manager were very supportive for me and even though I was emotionally drained, I did through the grace of God, managed to get through the day at work cause in my mind, my mom would have wanted me to go to work as normal. I still grieve for her every Valentine's Day, which is my mother's birthday and October 11th, the day she passed away. Me and my dad are coping as best as we can trying to get everything in order, but you only get 1 mother in life and I miss her dearly. Your story almost brought me to tears cause life is short and some things in life are challenging but you have to sometimes meet those challenges head on.

I'm so sorry for everything you are going through. Kevin Conroy, who was the voice of Batman in the animated series said something about dying, before his death from cancer. Basically it amounted to, when we are fortunate enough to have someone wonderful in our life, who we love, of course we're going to miss them when they're gone. That's grief and that's normal and it's ok, because we had the pleasure of that persons love and support for all those years.
I'm sorry about your grandmother. Sounds like you were very lucky. I hope this helps.

Wishing you well.

I can't believe it's nearly 40 years since I lost my grandmother. I freaked out and failed to connect with her properly towards the end of her life. How I'd love to have a drink and put the world to rights with her now. She had a most remarkable life and made a big impression. She was a great example of appreciating life, friendships and unconventionality. After she went I had my wits about me a bit more - at the time of her house clearance my life was too mobile to take much stuff, but I took some practical kitchen equipment which I sill use every day and I find it totally comforting.

Look after yourself and yours well.