Grief is a tricky course to navigate. It robbed me of nearly three years of my life. My best friend, Evelyn, was my partner-in-crime. We were the Bobbsey Twins. Two Peas in a Pod. When she died, a part of me died with her and it took a long time for me to come back to life again. The grieving process was messy, painful, and took a large toll on my family. But, thanks to a very patient, loving husband, some resilient kids and a fantastic therapist (not to mention the wonderful cocktail of psychotropic pharmaceuticals that finally balance the chemistry of me loovely grey matter), I have emerged with an understanding of Life and Death not unlike Moses descending from Mount Sinai.

I am thankful that I have a warped and twisted sense of humor. It definitely kept me from completely drowning in the abyss. My memories of my friend would come to me when I needed them most. At first, they would bring tears. Now, they bring smiles and yes, even laughter. The pain finally subsided, even though I thought it never would. Now I know she is with me always and everywhere. She is supernatural. She is loosed from her earthly cage and her spirit is free to exist on a different dimension. There is beauty in the world again. I can create again. I am whole again.

And the part my dad's death played in this is profound as well. Before he died, he gave me a gift. He told me I was neat. Yeah! It still makes me smile. My dad thinks I'm neat! And when he was alive, he had this knack for always getting a parking spot in the front row, center. Uncanny! We called it Brandenburg Parking. Well, now he's the Parking Lot Angel. Because no matter where I go, no matter what time of day, my spot is waiting for me...front row, center!

And I silently utter,"Thank you, Papa. I love you, too."

Peace be with you,
Amy