You are so right about this. I consider my journey to be similar, although my daughter is states away instead of continents, but I have also lost my husband, another form of grief. Somehow, I have clung to personal growth and happiness, being, as I like to say, reborn. I have journeyed solo, managed all the things we worked on together as a couple, made the big decisions on my own, and devoted myself to compassionate service in my community. I am proud of how far I have come. It is possible!
Awe this is so wonderful to hear thank you Candy for sharing. I am still in the beginning of my journey so it is very helpful to hear from others that they are not just surviving but thriving.
This is wisdom that needs to be preached from the rooftops: "Will I meet this from love or fear? Will I remember who I am? Will I listen for the deeper invitation?" ❤❤❤
you fill our hearts with hope...thank you so much I'll never be grateful enough...so let's enjoy this moment as it is, let's keep dancing and signing this song...love you 🤍
I read this and felt as if you reached into the silence between my own heartbreaks and gave it a voice I didn’t know it needed. What you’ve walked through this grief, this exile from your child, this bottomless ache could have become your permanent address. And yet, somehow, you chose to rise. Not because the pain vanished, but because you chose not to bow to it. That’s power. Not the kind that shouts but the kind that breathes, listens, and remembers who she is in the dark. You reminded me that healing doesn’t mean forgetting. It means reclaiming. Reclaiming our joy. Reclaiming our right to create, to dance, to feel the sun without guilt. That joy is not betrayal it’s resurrection.Yes, we have been shaped by pain. But what if we let ourselves be sculpted by wonder now? What if we give joy permission to be our mentor? Your words are a doorway, wide open, and I’m stepping through with reverence, with gratitude, and with a fierce belief that we’re allowed to build beautiful lives even here. I’m with you, my sister. 🙌🏼
Wow thank you for this beautiful reflection Mia. I feel you on the journey alongside me! Sculpted by wonder indeed! Children remain my medicine. I work with them every day. Play brings me back to love. Thank you for witnessing 💛
You are so right about this. I consider my journey to be similar, although my daughter is states away instead of continents, but I have also lost my husband, another form of grief. Somehow, I have clung to personal growth and happiness, being, as I like to say, reborn. I have journeyed solo, managed all the things we worked on together as a couple, made the big decisions on my own, and devoted myself to compassionate service in my community. I am proud of how far I have come. It is possible!
Awe this is so wonderful to hear thank you Candy for sharing. I am still in the beginning of my journey so it is very helpful to hear from others that they are not just surviving but thriving.
I have been in this space, though for me it was different states not continents. It hurt so much! Much love to you and hug energy!
Awe, it makes me sad to hear how very common this is 🥺
Love right back and big big hug 💜💜
Gorgeous, Heart Warrior Mama. Truly!
This is wisdom that needs to be preached from the rooftops: "Will I meet this from love or fear? Will I remember who I am? Will I listen for the deeper invitation?" ❤❤❤
Thank you Stephanie, I feel the same! How do I scream “read my substack” without crossing boundaries? 😆
I'm giggling!!!!!!!!!!!! Love that I found you, and I'll keep liking and commenting to promote your work. It's IMPORTANT. <3
Thank you earth angel 😇💙
you fill our hearts with hope...thank you so much I'll never be grateful enough...so let's enjoy this moment as it is, let's keep dancing and signing this song...love you 🤍
Big hug love you too ❤️
I needed to read this today 💛 thank you so much. I will not judge my Naïvety, it has beauty too. Love you
Awe so happy it landed. Love you ❤️
Hey Symona
What came to me as I read this was a line from a track called Superhero by The Script. The line, that has stayed with me is
"Turn that pain into power..."
It also reminded me of messages I received in a recent shamanic journey ...from self-sabotage to self-empowerment, which was about transmuting fears.
Here's the link if you feel drawn to listen/read...🩵🩵🩵
https://smilingshamanicstoryteller.substack.com/p/journey-to-self-empowerment?r=25xzhm
I read this and felt as if you reached into the silence between my own heartbreaks and gave it a voice I didn’t know it needed. What you’ve walked through this grief, this exile from your child, this bottomless ache could have become your permanent address. And yet, somehow, you chose to rise. Not because the pain vanished, but because you chose not to bow to it. That’s power. Not the kind that shouts but the kind that breathes, listens, and remembers who she is in the dark. You reminded me that healing doesn’t mean forgetting. It means reclaiming. Reclaiming our joy. Reclaiming our right to create, to dance, to feel the sun without guilt. That joy is not betrayal it’s resurrection.Yes, we have been shaped by pain. But what if we let ourselves be sculpted by wonder now? What if we give joy permission to be our mentor? Your words are a doorway, wide open, and I’m stepping through with reverence, with gratitude, and with a fierce belief that we’re allowed to build beautiful lives even here. I’m with you, my sister. 🙌🏼
Thank you for living it out
Wow thank you for this beautiful reflection Mia. I feel you on the journey alongside me! Sculpted by wonder indeed! Children remain my medicine. I work with them every day. Play brings me back to love. Thank you for witnessing 💛
My heart breaks for you. Great pain deepened me spiritually. Beautiful post, my friend. <3
Thank you dear Rea. My lesson is this: Love the whole world, as I love my only child. It is a true power. Thank you for witnessing me.
I felt each level of emotion.
I felt your awareness expanding and giving you a safe place to rest.
All of the pain of living is temporary. But the joy is everlasting.
Wherever you are, God is.
And all will be well.
Ah Linda, like a breath of fresh air. You get it. Living amongst humans is an art form 😂💜
Kindreds always find each other.