I shared it for the first time out loud...Chandler's last day.
A conversation about how grief and joy co-exist...and a call for compassion in sacred final moments.
Hello, my Substack peeps,
My conversation with Kellie and Erin on the P-I-G podcast was just released. And before I gear up to start running the gauntlet of captions and hooks and hashtags and what-nots that literally hurt my brain, I wanted to come here first where you all appreciate simple words, from the heart, on a page.
From the time we recorded this episode a couple of weeks ago, I anticipated this day. I have shared my story of losing Chandler many times, in writing and out loud. But during this podcast, they asked me a question that opened the door. And I walked through it.
I talked about what happened to Chandler on his last day. For the first time.
I wrote about it here. It was actually my first Substack post. But saying it, that is a different kind of vulnerability.
Why talk about it? Why go through that? Why not stick to the bigger story of grief and hope?
Because this isn’t just our story. And it needs to be heard. My desire is for Chandler’s story to land in places where vocations and avocations intersect with sacred final moments. Those moments will live forever in the minds and hearts and bodies of families who were present. It matters how professionals and paraprofessionals show up. Get me in rooms with those people and let me inspire, not scold, INSPIRE. Humans hold tremendous power in those final moments. I believe one inspiring story told to the people who can make a difference has the power to change the narrative for countless families.
I’m grateful that somehow I’m able to help others just by being willing to share my story. Not only a story of grief and profound loss, but also a story of discovering that grief and joy co-exist. And when that feels impossible…
Maybe we can just be willing to be willing…yes, I meant to say it twice…to be open to the possibility of joy. And that, just that, is a small step forward.
Lisa