Jan Carrick

“We look back at the past we shared with the people who died, and we look forward at a future without them. Like Janus, we are standing in the doorway, but this doorway of our grief is not a comfortable place to be. We’re betwixt and between, in what is called “liminal space.” Limina is the Latin word for threshold and is related to the concept of limbo. We don’t like being in this limbo doorway. We would rather go backward to the way things were or fast forward to some future time in which we’re feeling settled again. But here’s the thing: it is only in the doorway of liminal space that we can reconstruct our shattered worldviews and re-emerge as transformed, whole people who are ready to live fully again.”
― Alan D. Wolfelt, Grief One Day at a Time: 365 Meditations to Help You Heal After Loss

“The culmination of every day, no matter what it holds, carries the promise that tomorrow will bring the rest of your life. Embrace what has come before. Embrace what is before you. In so doing, you will learn the joy of living. The joy of living…”
― Ginny Dye, The Last Long Night

“The Nazis,” Edward said, “had a term for it, ‘Lebensunwertes Leben’. It means ‘life unworthy of life’. We faced an enemy led by a cabal of people whose perverted morality had deviated so far from any accepted norm, that it was unrecognisable to civilised humanity. The irony of their unspeakable depravity was that in holding up a mirror against the tide of humanity, what they perceived as unworthy of life was their own reflection. Perhaps what terrifies me the most was the fact that the evil they espoused became accepted by so many. I would remind you of Voltaire. ‘Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities’. “That’s a terrifying indictment of humankind, Edward.” “It is, and it’s why we have to remain vigilant with our politicians and leaders. It all starts with the first untruth. Get the masses to believe that and the following lies sound more credible. The next thing that happens is that ‘truth’ is portrayed as the enemy of the people.”
― Peter Turnham, None Stood Taller - The Final Year

“FROM THE GRIEVING HEART: I felt nauseated this morning. I don’t have a stomach bug. I’m missing you. Yes, it’s that bad. Intense. Penetrating. I’ve done some thinking about guilt. I’m honestly shocked at how prevalent it is. Now that I’m looking for it, I see it everywhere. I said things I shouldn’t have. I didn’t say things I should have. I know I hurt you, on more than one occasion. I could have done so much more good for you. I could have expressed my love and care more. I could have. I should have. If only I hadn’t. If only I had. I wish. What if. The guilt list has no end. How can I make these things right? Is that possible? I get it. Guilt is not my friend, but he is very real right now. How do I deal with this?”
― Gary Roe, Comfort for the Grieving Spouse's Heart: Hope and Healing After Losing Your Partner