When Healing and Grief Walk Together
- Aug 1
- 2 min read
Sometimes life doesn't ask us to choose between joy and sorrow. Sometimes it asks us to carry both.
P.S. Before I begin... thank you!
Because of your incredible support and all of the recent excitement surrounding my retreat, we've now reached 10 registrations! My heart is full in more ways than one this week. Thank you for believing in what I'm creating and for being part of this amazing journey.
There are some weeks when life unfolds exactly as we planned.
And then there are weeks like this one.
Every Wednesday I publish a new blog. This week, I forgot.
Not because I ran out of ideas.
Not because I didn't care.
But because I was saying goodbye to someone I loved.
A Heartbreaking Goodbye
Our little dog, Patches, had been part of our family for many years. He was one of those faithful companions who quietly wove himself into the fabric of everyday life. His routines became our routines. His presence became part of our home.
When his quality of life was gone, we gave him the final gift we could offer—a peaceful goodbye.
Since then, my heart has been heavy.
What surprised me, though, was realizing that grief and healing don't arrive one after the other.
They often arrive together.
The Smallest Sign of Healing
This morning I found myself smiling at something completely unexpected.
My fingernails.
After months of surgeries, infection, IV antibiotics, medications, doctor's appointments, and recovery, my nails have suddenly become long, strong, and healthy. They've never looked like this before.
It's such a tiny thing.
But it reminded me that while my heart is grieving, my body is quietly healing.
Both things are true.
As I looked over at our other little dog, Chica, curled beside me as she has been throughout this entire medical journey, I realized she is healing too. She misses Patches, but she's also reminding me that love doesn't end when someone is gone. It simply finds new ways to be present.
Holding Both
Healing doesn't erase grief.
Grief doesn't cancel healing.
They can walk hand in hand.
As artists, we often believe we need to wait until everything feels "better" before we can create again. But perhaps that's never really how life works.
Life is messy.
Life interrupts our plans.
Life breaks our hearts.
And yet...
Life also reminds us to notice the small victories.
A stronger body.
A loyal companion curled up beside us.
A creative spark returning.
A full heart that still has room to love.
Giving Ourselves Grace
This week I missed my Wednesday blog.
Instead of seeing that as failure, I'm choosing to see it as proof that sometimes life asks us to be present before it asks us to be productive.
So this week, I'm giving myself grace.
Maybe you need a little grace this week, too.
Because healing isn't always loud.
Sometimes it looks like stronger fingernails.
Sometimes it looks like a dog resting peacefully at your side.
And sometimes it simply looks like getting up tomorrow...and beginning again.
Until next time...
Remember to be kind to yourself.
Life doesn't always follow the plan.
No Rules, Just Art®
❤️ Deb Deaton
My condolences for saying goodbye to Patches. I am sure there is a gap in the house that was his presence and essence.