Years ago (many many years ago) I participated in speech club. I'm pretty certain the only thing I remember from that is this line from Emily Dickinson..... "I measure every grief I meet with analytic eyes. I wonder if it weighs like mine or has an easier size." How ironic that a line about grief would plant a seed that resonates to this day? Emily, you've had a lasting affect.
A friend commented today about adjusting to new normal's. No one applies the term "new normal" to an event that is full of joy. New normal usually involves some form of radical acceptance. And, man, does the process of radical acceptance suck. New normal involves letting go of what we'd hoped, shaking out the broken pieces, and building a new life. Letting go can be brutal, the broke pieces come in shapes we never anticipate and building a new life is no walk in the park. None of us get through life without the experience of "new normal". Granted, some hide it very well with a facade that convinces almost all of us. I find that part sad, because there is light to be found in our dark and broken places.
Some new normal's are easier to assimilate and move on from. Some evolve over years, with growth being hard to measure. Some come with obvious victories, some batter us because there is no logical reason for the sudden turmoil cast upon us.
But, and there is always a but, if we measure every grief, could we not also measure every grace? Seems to me they are two parts of a whole. A whole lot of acceptance, a whole lot of faith, and a whole lot of growth. Measure the grief as best you can, on any give day, and accept it. Measure the grace, each and every day and embrace it. I believe grace will outweigh the grief given time. Not an easy path to be sure, but one we can find our footing on. One that leads us to our new life.