I have allowed myself to be weak when I knew I could be strong. I’ve let myself cry when I knew I could hold it back. I’ve given myself permission to feel sadness in moments when I could’ve pushed through and blocked it.

It’s full of highs and lows. Ups and downs. Beauty and pain. The dynamics of life.

As Anna sang, the despair and grief I felt was palpable. I knew what she was talking about. I had been there. Life has felt so dark and overwhelming at times that I questioned if it would ever feel manageable and enjoyable again. But, as Anna continued to sing I felt hope stirring. I could feel her strength rising as she realized she could stand and take one step. She saw the way to move forward. She saw a way out. The light was visible! And she started to take steps to get there.

Grief isn't easy. It sometimes takes longer than we wish. We can't put a time table on grief. We each walk that road differently and it can get tricky when we try to step in and speak into someone else's process. Always be sensitive. Be their advocate not their bully.  I know there are times I wished I could just get past something and not feel so stuck by it. There are times that something is holding up our healing which can be addressed to expedite our process and there are other times that's just not the case. We must be kind to ourselves during the process.