Irmo Branch Library - Really Rowdy Readers Book Club discussion

What can this novel tell us about grief?

In what ways are feelings and expressions of loneliness and grief examined?

Grief is part of life. I am grieving my sister’s declining health. I went to visit her, but of course, I cannot go inside the Assisted Living. I pressed my face up to the window and talk to her on my cell phone. She smiles, but won’t remember that I was there ten minutes later. She can no longer participate in a conversation. At least she isn’t in pain.

I cannot imagine or even want to try to imagine being the last person on earth. In the 50’s,
A newspaper story printed daily of a
family that moved to the wilderness. They had only clothes on their backs. They could use only what they found. After a couple of months, they gave it up. Father delivered the journal to a point and it was retrieved for publication in newspaper. Was very interesting. Wife used leaves when she had her period. They became very creative.

Thank you for sharing, Connie. It would seem to me that grief is an important part of life. It is a good teacher if we learn well its lessons.

As the saying goes,”You don’t. Know what you have, until you lose it.” Grief allows us to remember the good and learn from our mistakes.

This is so true!
Thanks Connie

Tagging on to Connie's sharing of her sister's state in life, please know that my sister Nancy is fighting ALS. My grief process for her fluctuates between being sad versus mad. She can no longer speak and has a feeding tube. She still knits (so far) , cooks and bakes. I have learned to text so as to converse with her. The disease will win but not without a good fight from my little sis.

Sue, I really appreciate you sharing that and it is wonderful that you can connect with her through texting. When my mum was dying of terminal cancer, it was like a living grieving because of the journey she was on. I know you will love her well, and that is the real joy. Walking with a loved one in this is such a sacred thing.

Thanks for telling our group. You will be in our thoughts and we would appreciate an update when possible, Sue.