Bethany
asked
Cheryl Strayed:
Thank you for all you do to provide your perspective and help those that write in to you... What piece of advice have you found most helpful when trying to move on from loss?
Cheryl Strayed
Bethany,
The biggest revelation to me--the one that consoled me the most deeply--was the fact that I would never "get over" my mother's death. It would always be sad. Her absence in my life would always be a loss. When I accepted those truths a whole world of understanding opened up inside of me. I could see that suffering and joy were not mutually exclusive emotions. I could have a happy, good life even while also grieving my mother. This acceptance made room for both my loss and my life. It sounds like such a simple thing, but this acceptance was very complex for me. It took me a while to understand that I could accept my mom's death and not move on from it but rather carry it with me in ways that were filled with love and light rather than sorrow and destruction.
Sending you my best,
Cheryl
The biggest revelation to me--the one that consoled me the most deeply--was the fact that I would never "get over" my mother's death. It would always be sad. Her absence in my life would always be a loss. When I accepted those truths a whole world of understanding opened up inside of me. I could see that suffering and joy were not mutually exclusive emotions. I could have a happy, good life even while also grieving my mother. This acceptance made room for both my loss and my life. It sounds like such a simple thing, but this acceptance was very complex for me. It took me a while to understand that I could accept my mom's death and not move on from it but rather carry it with me in ways that were filled with love and light rather than sorrow and destruction.
Sending you my best,
Cheryl
More Answered Questions
Kelly Griffin
asked
Cheryl Strayed:
Cheryl - firstly, thank you! And secondly, I was wondering if you ever struggle balancing the needs of your family and your own need for solitude, silence, and time to think? I have a husband and two young toddlers, and sometimes I feel like taking the time and space I need to be happy results in them being unhappy.
Linda
asked
Cheryl Strayed:
I am such a solid fan of yours. Besides Wild, I have absolutely loved Tiny Beautiful Things and especially the Dear Sugar columns. You have a special gift for keeping a finger on the inner human pulse. Will you ever publish more in the vein of Dear Sugar? We need a straightforward voice out here like yours.
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Oct 26, 2015 03:19PM