Finding Community After Loss: My Journey

As I was driving home last night, the sun was so bright in the sky, making its final decent of the evening. Following me home on my drive.

I am proud to be back at the Brain Injury Group in town, something I feel closer to as my one brother helped bring this group to town, knowing the imperative need for people with brain injuries to find community, a place where they can feel accepted no matter what.

I had to pull over to capture this … Its almost as if the sunray is reaching out and touching me – this was the first photo I took. The beam is coming directly to me ❤

This morning I saw this message…

Emotionally its been challenging to walk back into the meetings, but at the same time, I knew how close to my brothers heart this group was and in wanting to do something in his honor – THIS is the outlet!

The message above by Brianna Wiest, hits the nail on the head perfectly.

This new life moving forward, does not physically include my one brother, he will always be with us spiritually, however never again physically which is a pain I am still learning to navigate through.

I have been through death before, sadly multiple times, too many Id like to count. Three sudden deaths prior to my brother, which rocked me in ways its hard to describe. Nothing will prepare you for someone to be in your life one day and then suddenly gone. Many times while grieving a lost loved one, you are suddenly faced with grieving living people as well. Those you thought were close, would be there but haven’t. Or even family members who do not think before speaking. I had a distant great aunt tell me, “I completely forgot about you girls, we remembered the boys…” after my brothers funeral, while smiling at me. Forgot my sister and I, who are literally the bookends of our family with the boys in the middle.

Its so true…

THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MEANT FOR YOU ARE GOING TO MEET YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE. YOU’RE GOING TO BUILD A NEW COMFORT ZONE AROUND THE THINGS THAT ACTUALLY MOVE YOU FORWARD. INSTEAD OF BEING LIKED, YOU’RE GOING TO BE LOVED. INSTEAD OF BEING UNDERSTOOD, YOU’RE GOING TO BE SEEN.

ALL YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE IS WHAT WAS BUILT FOR A PERSON YOU NO LONGER ARE ❤

The people you are wondering why they haven’t showed up, you on your own path. It may feel heavy of what once was, why couldn’t they show up for me like I did for them. There are some people who simply cannot meet you where you now are. Release yourself of this, focus on your heart healing.

Much like me sitting and wishing my loved ones were still here, wont bring them back. Memories are forever, if anything his lose has re-ignited my passion to capture everything and anything with my camera. Find the alignment in your truth. Base your happiness on your own choices. We cannot control anyone or their actions. Release attachments – those who are meant to be will be! Without resistance or pressure.

That is what matters ❤