They say grief is the price we pay for love.
When I first heard this, I didn’t like it. Grief is so difficult to navigate. There are so many different emotions and stages, and it can bring you to your knees at moments you are least expecting it, over and over again.
Why is the payment so harsh, for something so beautiful?
The more I understand real love, the more I’m beginning to understand.
We grow and flourish with love.
When we are supported by it, we can be brave and do things we had never considered doing before.
Love heals us.
Love strengthens us.
Love changes us.
Love provides us with elements of life we can’t run to the store to buy.
Real love is a privilege.
So when we lose someone who has given us a portal towards these privileges, there is no easy button. There is no way to sail through unscathed by their disappearance from our lives.
When you look at the big picture, when you are grateful for the blessings love brings. The payment for it doesn’t seem harsh, it seems minuscule in comparison.
And aren’t we so fortunate to receive the gifts love brings to us, before payment is due.