Only two more days and it is Christmas Evening. I am sitting here in the company of Lou Reed's best songs. I feel comforted and I feel vulnerable.
My web page is called Grief and Happiness - Hand in Hand. I have experienced that to the fullest lately.
It's only two weeks ago that I got this letter - a letter from a friend in the USA. He was a widower, had been so for the last three years. He was a loner, he also enjoyed his own company. However, after his beloved Lady died, he didn't handle his life very well. First he closed down the Internet connection. Then he closed his telephone line. As if this wasn't enough, he turned off his TV for one last time.
So the only way we could reach our friend far, far away, was to send him letters. And we did - we also enclosed our delicious Norwegian chocolates that we know our friend liked so much.
Well, you may already have guessed what happened.
My husband and I got this letter in the mailbox two weeks ago. I was expecting to read good wishes for Christmas and the next year.
No, the letter started; "By the time you get this letter, I 'll be gone".
I was speechless, I felt numb. Did I really sit there with words from a friend who said goodbye? Was I really reading the words written only five days ago and with ink that had just dried? It couldn't be the case? My God, please say that he changed his mind.
Jerry did not change his mind. He shot himself the day before we got his letter. He went to look for the "Lady of his Life" and he asked us "to wish them good luck".
Tough reality, hard to believe, yet it is true. I came to the conclusion that Jerry had the right to make his own choices even if they hurt like hell for his two step sons and us.
Keeping Jerry and Jann in my heart and remembering them for the wonderful persons they were, I have wished them both good luck on their next journey.
I think of them every day and I light a candle for them. I have also made my choices, and one of them is to keep the good memories and moments I have from my friendship with Jerry and Jann. Then I have to go on with my own life and I see many good things that I have and that are to come.
I have family, friends, neighbours and colleagues. I live in a peaceful and rich country. I have absolutely everything I need and much more than that. Sometimes I believe I have too much. I also have an optimistic point of view and I believe that Life is a challenge. Furthermore, with all the challenges I am given, I will grow when I deal with them.
I want to wish all my faithful readers and Life Coaching clients a peaceful and simple Christmas. I wish you all an inspiring New Year and I'm looking forward to your motivational mails in 2013.
I am also looking forward to coaching you in 2013.
For those who have not visited our Life Coaching web page, click here
Take care of yourself, make the choices you believe in and love yourself. I love you!
Kind regards,
Marianne