A few years ago I travelled with my son to Iceland. One of our excursions was a trip down into, and through cave-like underground lava tubes, formed when a conduit of still-flowing lava moved under the surface layer, which had cooled enough to crust and harden.
We were advised to wear clothing that would survive rough treatment, and issued helmets and lights before we descended.
There were places at which the tunnel was like a massive high-ceilinged underground cathedral.
There were also progressively narrow and low sections, that required us first to duck, then crawl, then slide our bellies on wet stone to get through.
Several times I had to remind myself we were being guided on by trained and experienced folks, who knew the way.
Alexa Gilmour, today’s “Good Courage” contributor shared a heart-rending story of the loss of her unborn child, and a significant conversation with her mother.
Alexa said to her mother, “I have a child to take care of. I need to get up, but I just don’t know how.”
It seems to me her mother’s response gave Alexa the permission she needed.
“Yes, you do,” she said, “You’re doing it now. The only way back is by way of grief.”
Then her mother sat with her and they cried together.
In your own life, has there been a person who offered you a gift like Alexa’s mother did for her?
Have you experienced grief as a healing process?
I worried it would feel disrespectful to Alexa’s story to include the Youtube video, but her very personal disclosure reminded me of this old nursery rhyme. Especially the verse about the deep, dark cave.
We’re Going On A Bear Hunt
We’re goin’ on a bear hunt,
We’re going to catch a big one,
I’m not scared
What a beautiful day!
Oh look! It’s some long, wavy grass!
Can’t go over it,
Can’t go under it,
Can’t go around it,
Got to go through it!
We’re goin’ on a bear hunt,
We’re going to catch a big one,
I’m not scared
What a beautiful day!
Oh look! It’s a mushroom patch.
Can’t go over it,
Can’t go under it,
Can’t go around it,
Got to go through it!
We’re goin’ on a bear hunt,
We’re going to catch a big one,
I’m not scared
What a beautiful day!
Oh look! It’s a wide river.
Can’t go over it,
Can’t go under it,
Can’t go through it,
Got to swim across it.
We’re goin’ on a bear hunt,
We’re going to catch a big one,
I’m not scared
What a beautiful day!
Oh look! A deep, dark cave.
Can’t go over it,
Can’t go under it,
Can’t go through it,
Got to go in it.
Uh, oh! It’s dark in here.
I feel something,
It has lots of hair!
It has sharp teeth!
It’s a bear!
Hurry back through the river,
Back through the mushroom patch,
Back through the long grass
Run in the house and lock the door.
Phew! That was close!
I’m not afraid!
Darrow Woods: Writer of Things 