Recently I lost a very good friend of mine. When I found out he had passed, I was shocked and sad, and I didn’t know what to do with myself. I had seen my friend, Paul only one week before he passed, so it didn’t seem possible that I wouldn’t see him in this lifetime again. Paul and I had been friends for twenty-three years. He was a friend that I loved unconditionally and I knew he loved me the same. Even though I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist and have worked with bereavement groups, it didn’t prepare me for my own emotions.
A month and a half later, I have found some peace through connecting with Paul’s sister and best friend. We share laughs and tears through memories of the man we loved. I’ve also become more present with noticing signs of Paul such as feathers and hummingbirds. Through his passing I’ve felt even more gratitude for my loved ones. And because of Paul, when my boys want my attention, I don’t say, “just a minute”, I say, “yes”. ~Sara Holliday MFT, CPT, HHP