My dad passed this summer and I have been dealing with his loss in a physical and spiritual way. I lived in a different state so I didn’t see my dad as often as I would have liked to. My dad had a speech issue as a result of a brain injury where it was difficult for him to communicate his point clearly. I found myself wishing that I could have connected to him on a deeper level and listened more to his words of wisdom.
I participated in a Grief Sermon with Rev. Nina Roe of AngelsTeach and she asked me why the angels were showing her a big pinecone. I immediately knew what the message was! We lived in North Carolina until I was 6, before my dad had the accident that took away his gift of fluent speech. This time for me was one of simplicity. My life choices were as complicated as do I build a castle in my sandbox, should I go down the slide first or play on the swing? My dad seemed to be healthy and my world was secure.
I remembered that I still had a few of the big pinecones in a box in my basement. When I found them and held one in my hand I connected back to how I felt as that small child. I felt the profound and uncomplicated love for my dad. I knew that nothing had really changed. I loved my dad for all that he was to me when I was young and life was simple, I loved my dad for his support as I grew up, I loved my dad for his guidance as I started my own family and I loved my dad now.
The peace that entered my heart and spread throughout my body pushed the grief and sadness away. I will always miss the physical presence of my dad but now I feel connected to his spirit and love in a deep and tangible way. I have this big pinecone on my altar next to a photo of my dad to keep me grounded and connected to his unconditional and enduring love.
Do you have a talisman to help ground your grief?
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