The house is quiet in a way I don’t quite know what to do with. My chest feels heavy. Missy, my Siamese with those bright, curious blue eyes, has crossed the Rainbow Bridge after seventeen years by my side. She wasn’t just a pet. She was company, comic relief, and a calm old soul wrapped in soft cream fur.
I’ve heard it said, “Grief is the price we pay for love.” People say Queen Elizabeth II said it. Maybe. I don’t know. What I do know is the words are true.
When I first heard it, I thought, that sounds harsh. Like love is some cruel deal, happiness traded for pain. But it’s not that. It’s just the truth no one wants to face.
Because when we love, we don’t think about the end. We laugh, we sit at the table together, we hold our kids close. We don’t stop and say, one day this will be gone. We can’t. We just live. And then, when loss comes, that’s when we realize. This is the cost.
Just so we’re clear—the story below is fictional. All the characters and events in the story are purely imaginary. But the themes—those came from something personal. I’d just finished reading the first draft of my sister’s novel, and it floored me. Beautiful, heartbreaking. She wrote about the quiet weight of intergenerational trauma, about how families carry wounds forward, and about what it takes to heal.
This piece is my way of wrestling with those same ideas. I’ve long wondered how the past holds on to us and how a little compassion can sometimes ease its grip. For me, it isn’t really about pointing fingers. It’s about noticing the patterns and slowly finding a different rhythm, one that opens the door to a new kind of future.
Email me at noemidado @ gmail.com for the password.
By Rob Anderson
Should I still feel so bad, should I still cry so often? I see other
parents smiling, why can’t I? I thought if I did my grief work, it
was supposed to get easier.
Grieving is hard work. Expectations of ourselves, and those that others
place on us, can confuse and make us think we should be in a certain
place at a certain time with our grief. Sometimes we hear, “Your child
died five years ago, aren’t you over it yet?” Or, “It’s been a long
time, why are you still crying?” Those comments hurt and push us
away. Early in my grief, I read the following which helped me
understand that I was fine where I was on my journey: Wherever you
are in your grief is exactly where you should be. To that I would add;
as long as you’re not abusing yourself or others, and not living in
chronic grief.
The idea of a Camino journey had been with us for years, quietly tucked away in our hearts, waiting for the right time. When that time finally came, the journey unfolded in ways we couldn’t have imagined.
May 21: Vigo to Redondela (15 kms)
From May 21 to 27, we walked the 100 kilometers of the Camino Portugués—but more than that, we walked through memories, through grief, through hope, and love. This journey was for our son Luijoe, who left us 25 years ago. It was also our way of sending quiet prayers for our two daughters and the people they hold close. Reaching the cathedral on the exact day we lost him didn’t feel like chance. It felt like grace.A circle, gently closed. Read More →
This year is special for us. It’s our 40th wedding anniversary. But it’s also a poignant time, as it marks 25 years since our dear son passed away. To remember both these important times, we’re doing something special: walking the Camino de Santiago. Our hope is to reach the end of our walk on the anniversary of his Angel Date. There, we will pray for all our children and their loved ones, the wonderful blessings we’ve received throughout our 40 years together.
Berlin Art Lovers, get ready to witness history! The very first location-based AR exhibition, “Colors of Peace,” orchestrated by Digital Bohemians Club , is about to transform the iconic Pariser Platz in front of Brandenburg Gate!
From April 28th to May 30th, prepare to see my artwork, alongside the captivating creations of 12 other incredible artists magically spring to life through augmented reality. Imagine strolling through Pariser Platz and encountering stunning digital art installations floating in the air! Read More →
It feels like just yesterday, though many years have passed, that I first shared this deeply personal story. But with the arrival of another Easter Sunday, a day so profoundly special, the memory surfaces with a familiar poignancy.
“If I die, Mama, will I be alive again?” Luijoe asked. My six-year-old boy lay nestled amongst a small mountain of prayer books he’d arranged on his little tummy, idly flipping through the pages.
“Ephemeral Serenity” visualizes inner peace through a carefully chosen palette of soft blues, purples, gentle pinks, and creamy whites. These hues blend seamlessly, fostering a tranquil and harmonious atmosphere that resonates with tranquility. The absence of harsh contrasts and the prevalence of muted tones contribute to a feeling of serenity and emotional stillness, inviting contemplation. The artwork suggests that inner peace is not a singular shade but rather a delicate symphony of colors working together to evoke a sense of calm and equilibrium within the viewer.
