This is deep. What a gift to carry on the ritual that was created at a time of deepest love, laying the groundwork to bear what was to come. Your writing is beautiful, especially all that remains unsaid between the lines. You have great talent to stirr hearts.
This was deeply moving to me, having lost three children at three different occurrences. It’s been five years since my third child died - grief is such a strange emotion - one does grow with it but there is also a waxing and a waning. The moon, and experiencing its many “faces”, is a perfect analogy. I can’t praise this article enough for how it inspires me to look out more at what Mother Nature shows us daily.
Wow. Thank you for sharing this. I wept as I read it thinking about how much your daughter gave to you in such a short time. Some wounds will never fully heal but over time they can turn into familiar reminders of how precious life is. That is a gift that those we lose can give us.
Jacqueline - your writing is so very beautiful. The surprise elements and the cadence of your story got right into my heart
I applaud your resilience - and really admire how you gave voice to the process over time.
My brother died tragically 24 years before my Mom did...Since having children myself, I never quite understood how she was able to navigate that. Your words allowed me to see something new. Thank you
Stunning piece, thank you. I stepped into it lightly not expecting to be moved. I have just stopped weeping. I seek the moon out a lot, often wondering who else is looking, and whether it offers them the comfort it gives me.
Quite possibly the best thing I’ve read all year. Truthfully, I have no words for the beauty of Ana’s reflections of the moon, the grace of your grief and your October tradition. I would happily read every entry available in those 14 years. Truly stunning.
I think I might quite like to view and write about the October moon in honour of Ana, with your permission.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story of your private moments
Oh so beautiful! Thank you for writing this. I hear the gentle kindness, pain and love in your words. I am reminded of the importance of looking beyond the obvious, paying attention to what is unsaid and allowing myself to be in this moment.
The moon is invariably the first sight I search for in the night sky, especially in the autumn and winter as it becomes too hot and humid to do so in Florida’s summer.
It exerts a push and pull on me and so I can understand a bit better the motion of the Gulf and the emotions within both of us. I’m always reminded of my grandmother whose favorite flower was the white rose.
I just got the Subsrack app so I could read something a friend had directed me to read. I came across your writing and thought okay I'll just read a bit of this to see if draws me in. I just spent 27 days of October dog sitting my nieces Yorkie so I was out several times every night and always looked at the might sky and especially the moon. Your story connected and I felt compelled to read on.Most people could never put their grief into words the way you have and it's because of the love you shared with Ana and Emily.I was touched by this and will always remember it when I see the moon from now on.
This is deep. What a gift to carry on the ritual that was created at a time of deepest love, laying the groundwork to bear what was to come. Your writing is beautiful, especially all that remains unsaid between the lines. You have great talent to stirr hearts.
Thanks so much, Anne
This touched my heart deeply, what a beautiful ritual ✨
Thank you 💜
This was deeply moving to me, having lost three children at three different occurrences. It’s been five years since my third child died - grief is such a strange emotion - one does grow with it but there is also a waxing and a waning. The moon, and experiencing its many “faces”, is a perfect analogy. I can’t praise this article enough for how it inspires me to look out more at what Mother Nature shows us daily.
Unfathomable. I am so sorry.
Wow. Thank you for sharing this. I wept as I read it thinking about how much your daughter gave to you in such a short time. Some wounds will never fully heal but over time they can turn into familiar reminders of how precious life is. That is a gift that those we lose can give us.
Jacqueline - your writing is so very beautiful. The surprise elements and the cadence of your story got right into my heart
I applaud your resilience - and really admire how you gave voice to the process over time.
My brother died tragically 24 years before my Mom did...Since having children myself, I never quite understood how she was able to navigate that. Your words allowed me to see something new. Thank you
So beautifully written, so moving. I'm a mess after reading this, thank you for sharing this with the world.
Stunning piece, thank you. I stepped into it lightly not expecting to be moved. I have just stopped weeping. I seek the moon out a lot, often wondering who else is looking, and whether it offers them the comfort it gives me.
This is very powerful. Thank you.
Quite possibly the best thing I’ve read all year. Truthfully, I have no words for the beauty of Ana’s reflections of the moon, the grace of your grief and your October tradition. I would happily read every entry available in those 14 years. Truly stunning.
I think I might quite like to view and write about the October moon in honour of Ana, with your permission.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story of your private moments
Thank you so much. The moon belongs to everyone. I hope you write about it and think of Ana 💜
I’ll never look at the October moon in the same way. Thank you for your exquisite writing.
I’m beyond sorry for your loss of your precious Ana.
Oh so beautiful! Thank you for writing this. I hear the gentle kindness, pain and love in your words. I am reminded of the importance of looking beyond the obvious, paying attention to what is unsaid and allowing myself to be in this moment.
Beautifully written. Beautiful ritual. Thank you so very much for sharing it with us.
The moon is invariably the first sight I search for in the night sky, especially in the autumn and winter as it becomes too hot and humid to do so in Florida’s summer.
It exerts a push and pull on me and so I can understand a bit better the motion of the Gulf and the emotions within both of us. I’m always reminded of my grandmother whose favorite flower was the white rose.
Thank you for sharing. Peace
I just got the Subsrack app so I could read something a friend had directed me to read. I came across your writing and thought okay I'll just read a bit of this to see if draws me in. I just spent 27 days of October dog sitting my nieces Yorkie so I was out several times every night and always looked at the might sky and especially the moon. Your story connected and I felt compelled to read on.Most people could never put their grief into words the way you have and it's because of the love you shared with Ana and Emily.I was touched by this and will always remember it when I see the moon from now on.
I so love this sharing. Love, grief and healing. Thank you moon.