Blessing for Falling into a New Layer of Grief

Blessing for Falling into a New Layer of Grief

You thought

you had hit

every layer possible,

that you had found

the far limit

of your sorrow,

of your grief.

Now the world falls

from beneath your feet

all over again,

as if the wound

were opening

for the first time,

only now with

an ache you recognize

as ancient.

Here is the time

for kindness—

your own, to yourself—

as you fall

and fall,

as you land hard

in this layer

that lies deeper than

you ever imagined

you could go.

Think of it as

a secret room—

this space

that has opened

before you,

that has opened

inside you,

though it may look

sharp in every corner

and sinister

no matter where

you turn.

Think of it as

a hidden chamber

in your heart

where you can stay

as long as you need,

where you will

find provision

you never wanted

but on which

your life will now

depend.

I want to tell you

there is treasure

even here—

that the sharp lines

that so match your scars

will lead

to solace;

that this space

that feels so foreign

will become for you

a shelter.

So let yourself fall.

It will not be

the last time,

but do not let this be

cause for fear.

These are the rooms

around which your

new home will grow—

the home of your heart,

the home of your life

that welcomes you

with such completeness,

opening and

opening and

opening itself to you,

no part of you

turned away.

© Jan Richardson

http://paintedprayerbook.com