Samia - Just as powerful as the first time I read this. Appreciate your honest and raw assessment of how we so easily turn away from pain and look to patch it over. I respect your willingness to speak truth and feel sorrow for your never-ending loss. And your writings on neurodivergence, "gifted" education and school have me thinking, and hoping I'll be brave enough to ask the right questions of those I love. Warmly, Annie
Samia, you have lessons of love to teach us just as Maisa had lessons of love to teach us. The depth of your grief is an indicator of the depth of your love for Maisa and your family. If we who had the privilege of knowing Maisa are uncomfortable with your grief, it’s because we are afraid to love that deeply and have it taken away. Society is unable to face the joy and pain of loving so intensely and fiercely. Your grief and love is beautiful to see because we can see how deeply and completely you love Maisa and that love will never diminish.
I had a mother that told me she was told by her mother that it wasn’t good to love me too much. She protected herself from the pain of loving me by keeping her love for me distant. I felt that distance and was determined at a young age to not live my life safely by not letting myself to love deeply and unconditionally. You gave and continue to give Maisa and your boys the gift of deep, complete, and unconditional love. What a joy to see no matter how painful evidence of that love in your grief. You are teaching people that’s it’s necessary to grieve completely if you love completely. Sending you my unconditional love, Betsy
Thank you, Betsy. This is so true about the connection between pain and love and what happens when you try to protect yourself from one of them, as it is impossible to selectively choose which feelings we numb or protect ourselves from. Thank you for this perspective and for your continued love and support. xo
Samia - Just as powerful as the first time I read this. Appreciate your honest and raw assessment of how we so easily turn away from pain and look to patch it over. I respect your willingness to speak truth and feel sorrow for your never-ending loss. And your writings on neurodivergence, "gifted" education and school have me thinking, and hoping I'll be brave enough to ask the right questions of those I love. Warmly, Annie
Thank you so much, Annie, for your continued kindness and support!
Samia, you have lessons of love to teach us just as Maisa had lessons of love to teach us. The depth of your grief is an indicator of the depth of your love for Maisa and your family. If we who had the privilege of knowing Maisa are uncomfortable with your grief, it’s because we are afraid to love that deeply and have it taken away. Society is unable to face the joy and pain of loving so intensely and fiercely. Your grief and love is beautiful to see because we can see how deeply and completely you love Maisa and that love will never diminish.
I had a mother that told me she was told by her mother that it wasn’t good to love me too much. She protected herself from the pain of loving me by keeping her love for me distant. I felt that distance and was determined at a young age to not live my life safely by not letting myself to love deeply and unconditionally. You gave and continue to give Maisa and your boys the gift of deep, complete, and unconditional love. What a joy to see no matter how painful evidence of that love in your grief. You are teaching people that’s it’s necessary to grieve completely if you love completely. Sending you my unconditional love, Betsy
Thank you, Betsy. This is so true about the connection between pain and love and what happens when you try to protect yourself from one of them, as it is impossible to selectively choose which feelings we numb or protect ourselves from. Thank you for this perspective and for your continued love and support. xo