"Love Sorrow" I've discovered a new poet, Mary Oliver. I love her work.

I came across this poem by Mary Oliver and it struck a chord with me.

The past 18 months have been excruciatingly difficult. No words can express the deep hollowness that is within. Coming to grips with my humanity - sorrow and grief - has been a lesson that I never knew I needed to learn. Really, we never know what we need to know until we finally come to know it...epiphany - I guess that's what “they” call it.

I've accepted my frailness. I've accepted the fact that I am broken. Yet, rather than discount and shut my eyes to Grief and Sorrow I've decided to acknowledge them and to walk hand-in-hand with them for as long as needed.

It may sound weird or unnatural, nevertheless I am resolved to take care of Sorrow. I nurture her because she has been give to me. I bring her in close and press her into my bosom. When she trembles, I tremble; when she sobs, I sob. I hold her hand in mine and we raise them together in praise to God.

I walk, talk, and spend a great amount of quiet time with Grief because if I do not, at some point, he will demand my attention. He will not let me rest until he is heard - until I have have acknowledged him. Grief becomes difficult, and even angry, when he is ignored. So, I sleep with him quietly. I speak with him tenderly and sometimes with angry passion; our conversations are deep and concerning. I will pray with him fervently. I invite Grief with me and welcome him to join me in my intimate times with my Savior because He, too, is well acquainted with Grief.

Every day I deny myself the temporary comfort, and even pleasure, of self-pity. I take care of this fragile Sorrow for when she grows up she will become a mighty Joy. And because I have held Sorrow so closely to my heart, Joy will fill the part of my soul that she once shook.

I walk and spend time with Grief and Mourning in the presence of my King knowing that very soon our walk before Him shall become a dance - the most beautiful dance I've ever danced. What an amazing sight we shall be! My deepest hope is that that my Lord will be well pleased.

Sorrow, Joy

Grief, Gladness

Without one, there is no other

I choose and accept both

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. ~ Ps 30:11,12

Love Sorrow

Love sorrow. She is yours now, and you must take care of what has been given. Brush her hair, help her into her little coat, hold her hand, especially when crossing a street. For, think,

what if you should lose her? Then you would be sorrow yourself; her drawn face, her sleeplessness would be yours. Take care, touch her forehead that she feel herself not so

utterly alone. And smile, that she does not altogether forget the world before the lesson. Have patience in abundance. And do not ever lie or ever leave her even for a moment

by herself, which is to say, possibly, again, abandoned. She is strange, mute, difficult, sometimes unmanageable but, remember, she is a child. And amazing things can happen. And you may see,

as the two of you go walking together in the morning light, how little by little she relaxes; she looks about her; she begins to grow.

~Mary Oliver