A "Secret" Shared…

I just received the most thoughtful email from a fellow author.

Dale C. Leo, writer of  "Life's Secret, The Gift" shared his own experience about losing his mother and offered words of comfort and encouragement. His email led me to his book, which I am so excited to read. It really gets at what I also hope to share with others: that each of us has the innate gift for seeing the good in our lives – and the lives of others. It's just a matter of rediscovering – as Dale says – "life's secret" and reframing how we see – or "witness" what's going on around us.

For any of you who have lost a parent, you know how it rocks your world. In my search for support, I had the privilege of finding and joining a "Mother Loss for Adult Daughters" grief support group offered by Allina. For six weeks last fall, eight of us met once a week to share our experiences and work through the "assignments" offered by the facilitators. The results were transformative – not only in how we managed through this difficult time; but also in how we developed friendships that lasted beyond our six week workshop. We've been getting together pretty much once a week ever since! This past Tuesday I had the privilege of welcoming these seven wonderful women into my home for our first get together of the new year. Hours passed like minutes – and the dynamic of our group was full of laughter, honesty, tears and strength. I have to admit, I'm still pretty "raw" over losing my mom. But the "gift" of these women – these friendships that are new and vibrant and so important to my life – never would have happened without that loss. I am so grateful that miracles like these – including the email from Dale – are readily filling the empty spaces left by my grief. I'm no expert, but at least in my experience, opening up my painful "empty spaces" to miracles allowed miracles that I hadn't even imagined to fill me up, and overflow onto others. I wish the same for you…whereever your empty spaces may be!