The Weight of Loss

All that remains of my father’s life is found in two cardboard boxes. Is that all his life is reduced to: two small boxes, one new, one weathered over time? Yesterday, I went to the funeral home to pick up his death certificate (cause: multiple system failure, dementia) and the second of the two boxes. I was surprised when I went to lift it.

6 thoughts on “The Weight of Loss

  1. Beth Ann Miller

    This is so beautiful Taryn. thank you for sharing your heart so openly. Your words are so true, and also a consolation to all of us who have lost our parents.

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  2. Melissa Hall

    Amen!
    I can so relate your story.
    God hold you tightly as you grieve and do what needs to be done. Floods of tears came at any time for me but all the hard eventually faded then disappeared and left me with my memories and hopes of our sweet reunion!
    Your dad lives on in you for certain.❤️

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  3. Elaine Moore

    Dearest Taryn ~
    Yes, I do realize how heavy grief and the ashes are since Pam & I had the same experience when we went to the funeral home to pick up Max’s ashes. I actually stood on my scale at home holding the box to find out they weighed 7 lbs.! They then found a place in my home until we were able to have Max’s Celebration of Life Memorial Service. Due to COVID-19, that was 9 months later!
    I felt my faith, God’s daily presence in my life and belief in life after death was sufficient for me to recover from the loss of the “love of my life”. However, since it was offered to me by Hospice, I decided to take advantage of grief counseling via Zoom on a weekly basis. I am so glad that I did and I have bonded not only with the counselor but the other eight widows in the group. The counselor sends us an article to read the day before our Zoom session and then we discuss it during our one hour meeting. Very helpful and comforting to know others are experiencing the same emotions that I am and to learn that it is okay to feel the way I do.
    I know that Steve, Patti and you will be a great support to one another as you adjust to life without Wesley in it. All of you are in my heart and prayers as you prepare for the church memorial service.
    I was very anxious until Max’s took place but I was so pleased and relieved once it was over that I experienced great peace in my heart. May it be the same for you❣️ Love ~ Elaine 💟🙏

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    1. Taryn Hutchison Post author

      Thanks, Elaine. Your cards are such an encouragement to Mom, as are your words to me. It’s nice that you knew my Dad back from his Eighth Avenue days. Praying that you will continue adjusting to life without the love of your life.

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