Sally Peters Roll - When I Look to the Sky: A Collection of Quotes, Poems, and Prayers for Loss, Grief, and Healing

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When I Look to the Sky
Text Copyright 2016 Sally Peters Roll
Illustrations on by Joanne Fink
(www.zeninspirations.com)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
ISBN: 978-1-57826-651-7
eBook ISBN: 978-1-57826-652-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

v3.1

CONTENTS

Bly: I love you to the moon and back again, to infinity and beyond but you now know how deep and vast my love is for you; how grateful I am to be your mother; how proud I am of you. Finally, you now know the power of love and the bridges it builds. Because of you, I now know this too. Your passion, courage, and love continue to lead me, teach me, and guide me. Were embracing life because of you, honey!

Jessy: There will come a time, I hope, when you truly understand the vastness of a mothers love for her child and the love I have for you. Until then, please know how proud I am of you; how grateful I am to be your mother. Your sensitivity, compassion, inner joy, and love brighten my world each and every day. You, sweet Jessy, are my gift, my blessing, my joy.

David: Thank you for loving me through the pain, sorrow, and suffering. Thank you for putting up with my artistic crazies and for giving me the time I needed to heal. I so appreciate the love and care you have given us over the years. Most importantly, thank you for giving me the joy of being a mother and raising two beautiful children. I could not have made it without you. I love youalways have, always will.

Joanne: I so appreciate your kindness, generosity, and support. Your lettering, artwork, and beautiful quote have been such a gift to this project. Thank you so much!

And to the rest of my family and friends: Thank you for being there for us; for loving the tripod through the pain and sorrow. David, Jess, and I are so blessed to have your love, Bly too.

Trust me.

I know exactly how it feels to cry in the shower so no one can hear.

I know what its like to wait for everyone to fall asleep so you can fall apart.

I know the pain of hurting so bad that you just want it all to end.

But

I also know that I am stronger than what Im fighting.

I know that if I made it this far I can make it through today.

I know that my life matters and I know that as long as I have my family, friends, and faith,

I will survive.

A UTHOR U NKNOWN

Trust me.

I fully understand the immense pain of losing someone you love most in the world. My son, Bly, died suddenly; he went to bed and didnt wake up. My world shattered, my life slammed to a halt. I struggled with living despite my experience and training. Even as a therapist, I fell to the floor. I have found healing againhope, too. I am laughing and playing, loving life again. I know this seems impossible to you now. I know how painfully long each day can be, how miserable you feel. I also know the power of words to heal, the strength found in a quote. I share here the quotes, poems, and prayers I used to help me cope and help me heal. Use the truths they contain to help you through your days. Carry their hope too.

When I Look to the Sky is divided into four sections: Coping, Healing, Living, and Thriving. I suggest that you work your way through the book as you work your way through your own pain and loss, beginning with the section on coping. Stay there as long as you need; everyones grief is different, and the amount of time spent in each phase differs, too. Do not be concerned about how long it takes you or whether or not you are healing or grieving properlythere is no right or wrong way to grieve or heal.

Do not compare yourself to others. There is no time limit on grief. And, please, do not mistake the depth of your love for the depth of your pain. Your feelings for your loved one are far greater than any pain you might feel. Do not believe that releasing your pain and embracing healing somehow diminishes the love you have for your loved one. Healing is honoring your loved one. Healing is exactly what your loved one would want you to do.

I hope your passage through your pain is eased in some way by my experience, my healing. I wish for you the deep peace that surpasses all understanding, the peace of healing a wound so deep and so wide you nearly drown. I have done this; I have healed such a wound. And if I can do this, you can too. Know that healing can be yours with time, effort, and desire. Know you can laugh again, can enjoy life again. Finally, please know your loved ones love surrounds you always; your love connects you always, too.

Sally

W hen you miss me just look up to the night sky and remember, Im like a star; sometimes you cant see me, but Im always there.

A UTHOR U NKNOWN

Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with their heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.

R UMI

Life is not separate from death. It only looks that way.

N ATIVE A MERICAN P ROVERB

Those we love dont go away; they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard but always near. Still loved, still missed, and very dear. Wishing us hope in the midst of sorrow, offering comfort in the midst of pain, both today and tomorrow.

A UTHOR U NKNOWN