Edit 3/15/19 to remove one previously written lie, and to add details I had previously omitted but felt added to the authenticity of the story. I've felt prompted again and again to make these changes for the past few days and want to say thank you for all who have encouraged me to be honest, authentic and to a degree, vulnerable in my writing.
*A little more personal of a post, so I haven't linked to Facebook. However, if you stumble upon it here, I hope you were brought here by the Spirit and that my article helps you in some way.
I've been extremely fortunate in life so far to have only lost 2 important people to death. My grandma and grandpa Evans. I'll share a deeply personal experience about my grandma. I remember receiving a call, March 2nd 2015 from my Brother Scott, who ask me if I was sitting down. I said I was, and intuitively replied that I already knew about my grandma Evans passing, I had been given an opportunity already in the early hours of that morning to grieve her passing through a dream in which she said goodbye. Come to find out, it was around that same time of her actual passing.
*A little more personal of a post, so I haven't linked to Facebook. However, if you stumble upon it here, I hope you were brought here by the Spirit and that my article helps you in some way.
I've been extremely fortunate in life so far to have only lost 2 important people to death. My grandma and grandpa Evans. I'll share a deeply personal experience about my grandma. I remember receiving a call, March 2nd 2015 from my Brother Scott, who ask me if I was sitting down. I said I was, and intuitively replied that I already knew about my grandma Evans passing, I had been given an opportunity already in the early hours of that morning to grieve her passing through a dream in which she said goodbye. Come to find out, it was around that same time of her actual passing.
On a similar personal note, I lost a third yesterday, not to death but it feels like it. An old friend, strangely enough whom I share no (several) "mutual friends" with, so (I'm hesitant but) I think it's safe to share my story here. It had been over a month or so since I was in contact with them last. I had a dream Early Sunday morning 10/2 (date and timing ironic to me, [edit]>because they posted about exercise goal success a day or so after) around 2-3 am (precog stage not venting stage) where, I sat on a bench, saw them going for a jog, jumped up to run along side them and scratched them on the back expressing how proud I was of them for pushing through their Jog. They sighed relieved, then the dream abruptly ended) But even with this dream it could not have prepared me for my loss, only provide me comfort that the Lord was aware of me, and sending me a tender mercy.
Accepting they were gone took me back more than I anticipated. My initial reaction was to numb the pain via ice cream, or chocolate or whatever, but my wife's been doing so well with her diet that we had none of those things in the house! I've also become persuaded lately (edit:by this friend and so found it fitting) to believe that it's unhealthy emotionally to turn to numbing and strive to FEEL so I can process and get past the pain.
Fortunately, a time came where O was sufficiently distracted and playing, AB was busy with her hour of screen time a day, and JH was happily kicking on the floor. So I took to the piano and played a specific song [edit:their song] and gave myself permission to cry. Before I knew it, I was bawling. I just kept playing until I could play no more.
The extent in which I cried surprised me. It may sound weird, but it felt good to let go and process loss in this way. It's amazing what a good cry and a prayer will do for your heart.
So, why would I share such a deeply personal experience?
1.) To encourage others to take care of themselves emotionally. Bitterness is not they answer, or any other kind of numbing. When you're ready I suggest a good cry.
2.) Real men cry.
3.) God has our best interests at heart and is prepared with a balm of healing if we will but turn to Him.
4.) There is hope, and nothing is truly lost in the Lord Jesus Christ. To paraphrase a popular lds missionary guide reference, "All that is unfair in life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ."
2.) Real men cry.
3.) God has our best interests at heart and is prepared with a balm of healing if we will but turn to Him.
4.) There is hope, and nothing is truly lost in the Lord Jesus Christ. To paraphrase a popular lds missionary guide reference, "All that is unfair in life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ."
Courage! Take heart! Our futures are as bright as our faith! And if you need to cry somewhere along the way, let the Savior in and have a good cry. It does wonders for the heart.
