Grieving, Mourning and 9/11
Tears are the vehicle God gives us to move someone gone from our life into our hearts where they live forever
Loss is one of the most profound experiences we face as humans. Whether it's the loss of a person, a dream, or even a sense of certainty, the aftermath can be a crushing weight on our spirit, our mind and being. At the heart of this weight are two intertwined processes: grieving and mourning.
Grieving isn't just about shedding tears or feeling sadness; it's an internal turmoil, a storm within the soul. It's the sinking realization that the future you once counted on—perhaps one filled with laughter, shared moments, and intertwined destinies—is never going to happen. The horizon you had set your sights on has shifted, replaced by a seemingly insurmountable wall of pain and uncertainty and at times an unknowing of how you’re going to make it through.
Imagine for a moment that you've spent years, if not a lifetime, constructing a mental image of what your future holds. This picture is painted with strokes of hopes, dreams, plans, and milestones. But with a significant loss, it's as if someone suddenly grabbed that image and tore it apart, leaving you staring at a blank canvas.
The intensity of this feeling is proportional to how deeply attached we were to that imagined future. And for many, letting go feels like losing not only a part of themselves, but a crucial part of themselves.
Yet, while grieving is this internal struggle, mourning is its external counterpart. Mourning is the long journey towards acceptance, the process of coming to terms with the reality that certain dreams or people will no longer be part of our tangible world. It's the understanding that life, though forever changed, is not over. It’s living with life never being the same again, as opposed to not being able to go on without that future.
Every year as September 11th approaches, our nation is vividly reminded of a collective mourning. The events of that fateful day brought an abrupt end to thousands of futures. The skyscrapers that once stood tall, embodying the dreams and aspirations of a nation, were reduced to rubble. And in the dust and debris, we not only lost lives but also a sense of invulnerability.
Yet, the resilience displayed in the aftermath of 9/11 is a testament to human strength and our capacity to mourn and move forward. From the ashes rose not only new structures but also countless stories of hope, love, and resurgence. It serves as a poignant reminder that even when faced with the unimaginable, we find ways to reconstruct our futures.
Many find solace in tears, which, far from being a sign of weakness, are the medium through which something lost from our lives crosses over into our hearts where they live forever. Tears become a sacred pathway, leading our loved ones or lost dreams into the sanctum of our souls, where they remain forever cherished.
It's crucial to understand that mourning doesn't mean forgetting. Rather, it's a reconciliation with the new normal—a world where those we mourn continue to live within us, influencing our thoughts, decisions, and actions.
So, as we remember 9/11, let it also be a day to understand and appreciate the power of grieving and mourning. Let's recognize that amidst all the pain and heartbreak, there's a potential for growth, for renewal, and for love. For as we move through the phases of grief and come to terms with our losses, we gradually realize that even though life will never be the same, it still holds boundless opportunities for joy, love, and purpose.
The heart's ability to grieve, to mourn, and eventually to find joy again is one of the most extraordinary aspects of the human experience. It's a testament to our resilience, our capacity to love deeply, and our innate drive to seek light even in the darkest corners.
To all those grieving and mourning, know this: the path might seem impossible now, but with time, support, and love, you will rediscover the beauty and magic of life and feel alive again.
Hold onto the memories, let the tears flow, and trust that a new dawn awaits, filled with potential and promise, a life that will be different, but not over.