My summer calendar looks different this year. Under my list of Things To Do is a sub-category called Grief Projects. Included on the list are: Make a Memory Box for each of us, Read Tear Soup and other mourning books, begin an Art Journal for each of us, make a scrapbook of the entire course of John's illness, watch home videos, go to the cemetery, tell stories, etc. (When I read over this list I begin to understand why things like go to the grocery and do laundry never seem to get done!)
Today we started the Art Journal. This is great for my kids because it does not require reading and writing. It is also great for me, because it helps me get past the words and see the colors and shades of this season. I bought each of us a spiral-bound watercolor book. I am using the book Help Me Say Goodbye: Activities for Helping Kids Cope When a Special Person Dies by Janis Silverman. I will choose ten of the suggested drawings from this book for us to do together.
The kids LOVED painting.
It was a gentle time between us that created a space for sharing stories and memories.
Today's journal suggestion was something like, "Draw a picture for Daddy that shows something you remember about him that you will miss."
Charlotte drew a house explaining that she "wished he was at our house."
Josiah telling us about the rocket ships he drew.
(I don't think he remembers that one of John's best friends always called him Johnny Rocket!)
Josiah said, "When Daddy not dead we will show him what we made." Ouch.
Josiah has abandoned ship and Charlotte keeps adding more layers of color.
I bought some sort of spray to put on each piece of artwork to preserve them. I hope this will capture some of their process for them to see later on. Perhaps this will give them a glimpse into what they were thinking and feeling.
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4 comments:
Beautiful. What a great way to process life and grief. I love art.
Oops! That was Taryn.
I love that you're choosing art and process over laundry and grocery lists, Margie! May God bless you and the kids as you paint and process.
Perhaps poetry will make its wordy way into your process, too. Here's a little rhyming offering for today:
God has not promised skies always blue,
flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God has not promised sun without rain, joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God has promised strength for the day, rest for the labor, light for the way,
grace for the trials, help from above,
unfailing sympathy, undying love.
-Annie Johnson Flint
As I look at the pictures of you and Charlotte and Josiah remembering John, loving him . . .
I'm overwhelmed with knowing that DEATH CAN'T BURY LOVE. LOVE NEVER DIES.
With lots and lots and lots o' love for all of you,
Crazy Aunt Sally
I am one who has followed your family's journey by reading your blogs. Many prayers have been with your family as the months have passed. Since we are on the west coast,thank you for writing as you are able. I appreciate your transparency in the descriptions of the twists and turns of life (and death). Thanks for giving honest, and yes, eloquent voice to the process. Those of us who read are impacted as you share so candidly. In your descriptions of ordinary events,you see rays of light shine through the dark clouds. As I read each blog I am convinced that these difficult experiences have contributed to your 20/20 vision of life--you're light years ahead of most of us. I, too, wonder where it (or HE) will take you! I pray for your daily strength and wisdom as you continue to nurture your and John's precious children. You are an awesome Mom! May Jesus nurture you, too!-b
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