In my journey as a writer, I have overcome many obstacles--lack of time, rejections, writer's block, uncertainty, lack of appreciation, and even burn-out. Each time somehow I found the strength to trudge forward. But last month, I faced an obstacle I had hoped I would never have to face. Grief.
Last month I lost my oldest daughter, and I found myself asking "Why doesn't the world stop spinning?" How can the passing of a human being not be enough to make everyone and everything stop and take notice? Has this world become so accustomed to the one million people whose lives are cut short by death each week that it has become complacent? One million people! One million lives whose energy, love, and untold futures will never be realized. One million families who are forced into the folds of grief.
In my head, I realize that one life, or one million lives, does not keep the world from spinning. But in my heart, I wish that it would.
My daughter, Dawn, was my cheerleader in life. She read every article, story, and book I have written. She encouraged me to keep learning and honing my craft. When I stopped writing two decades ago, it was she who constantly encouraged me to start again. Even when she was in the throes of depression, she made me promise to never stop writing by telling me that there was a child somewhere waiting for me to inspire them as I did her.
My world did stop spinning the day she left it, but the memory of the beautiful baby girl who entered this world eyes and heart wide open jump started it again. It is not as colorful as it was, nor is it as comforting, but I will keep my promise to my beautiful daughter. I will not stop writing. I love you, Dawn.
Last month I lost my oldest daughter, and I found myself asking "Why doesn't the world stop spinning?" How can the passing of a human being not be enough to make everyone and everything stop and take notice? Has this world become so accustomed to the one million people whose lives are cut short by death each week that it has become complacent? One million people! One million lives whose energy, love, and untold futures will never be realized. One million families who are forced into the folds of grief.
In my head, I realize that one life, or one million lives, does not keep the world from spinning. But in my heart, I wish that it would.
My daughter, Dawn, was my cheerleader in life. She read every article, story, and book I have written. She encouraged me to keep learning and honing my craft. When I stopped writing two decades ago, it was she who constantly encouraged me to start again. Even when she was in the throes of depression, she made me promise to never stop writing by telling me that there was a child somewhere waiting for me to inspire them as I did her.
My world did stop spinning the day she left it, but the memory of the beautiful baby girl who entered this world eyes and heart wide open jump started it again. It is not as colorful as it was, nor is it as comforting, but I will keep my promise to my beautiful daughter. I will not stop writing. I love you, Dawn.
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