Cracked Grace: Grief’s Presence

Cracked Grace

Grief’s Presence

Grief fills the room up of my absent child,

Lies in his bed, walks up and down with me,

Puts on his pretty looks, repeats his words,

Remembers me of all his gracious parts,

Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form . . .

~ King John, Act III, Scene IV

   By William Shakespeare

Grief has a presence, it is tangible, as noted by the preceding Shakespeare quote. It takes up space. We feel it as it moves into and takes the place left by our loved ones when they die. Recognize and honor Grief for what it is. When Grief’s persona comes into our lives, often the only thing we can do is walk with, sit with, and even lie on our beds with Grief.

* * * * *

Grief and I crept into my bed on Monday afternoon.

I curled my body atop the down comforter, warmed from the sleeping cat.

Chocolate, English Breakfast tea, a heating pad, a deck of cards, and a book accompanied me.

Spent beyond tears, beyond speech, beyond communication, beyond sleep,

I set the heating pad on high to rid my bones of a deep, persistent ache.

Chocolate and hot tea were my lunch.

Solitaire and a book were my diversions.

Grief stayed on, its quiet presence perched at the edge of my bed, persistent as the ache in my hips.

Earlier that day, I suggested a half-hearted duel with Grief,

And stretched my mind, heart, and soul to carry on, to walk through, work through the day.

I failed to drop my glove, so Grief was gentle with me,

And recognized that my efforts at avoidance were in vain.

Grief outstretched its hand to mine and together we tiptoed to my room, where I stayed throughout the day and into the night.

At morning light, no longer spent, nor encapsulated in sorrow,

I left the evening-chilled dregs of tea, chocolate wrappers, heating pad, cards, and book behind.

I then ventured with tentative steps toward a changed life.