25 Comments

Beautifully written! each word is like a balm.

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Many thanks Kiran Ji

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Hi Neena, a young friend sent me the link to your newsletters after seeing how distraught I was at the sudden passing of my very beloved elder son 4 months short of his 38th birthday. I am reading and re-reading some of your newsletters. Is number 22 your last newsletter for now? I hope you are continuing to write. A big thank you to you for coming into my life when I most needed you.

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Hello Sandhya

Mother to mother - I hold you in compassion & prayerfulness. The journey you (and I & thousands more) are on is a journey no one should have to take. Yet some of us get chosen for it. I am here to hold space, to walk with you in silence, through cries of anguish & pain, and through tears of loving remembrance of your precious son (please share his name). If you so like, please connect offline at - growwithneena@gmail.com

I feel a sense of peace & gratitude knowing that my Grief-Wise newsletter is offering you some solace & hopefully strength as well. I wrote #23 after some weeks' gap, just 2-3 days ago. Please read it at - https://neenaverma.substack.com/p/23-being-grief-wise . Off late I have been going through a trying phase & hence had to take a pause. Well, it was only a pause & I intend to return with more regular posts soon. Please subscribe to the newsletter so that the future posts automatically reach your mail box.

Meanwhile, please keep yourself in your own compassionate care & in the virtual loving embrace of your beloved son that only a mother can feel in her heart, that no mother should ever have to know, that you & I are nonetheless chosen to know & affirm.

Sending you prayers of healing & strength

Neena

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Happy Belated Birthday Utkarsh!

(I am finally catching up on reading your posts.Sorry I missed this one on yours & your son’s day. )

The word Quiet appears more than once in your poem tribute - which led me to think your son as a strong tall tree standing still, until the the wind moves its leaves. Then another image came to me of a butterfly sitting in the sun and filling up, waiting before flight.

Another thing that struck me was how I used some if the same words and phrases as you did on my b-day post without having read this yet; as thoughts of grieving mothers may be universal o that you and I share a strong invisible connection.

Your write:

“In an ephemeral life

cut short by destiny,

Sharing away all of him

He became eternity.  

I wrote the word ephemeral- it came to me like a bolt.

Also you wrote:

“ the presence of your absence”

of which I wrote, say often to myself, and to my husband.

I am blessed to share this journey with you.

Also I love the word transcendence; which will be yours alone.

Love, Susan

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Susan I am deeply moved by your deep fine observation & the surreal synchronicity that our stories have.

I am just as blessed & grateful for our Companioning on this trying, tiring yet transformative journey.

Transcendence is your word as much. Laura & Utkarsh deserve this honour.

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Happy birthday Utkarsh. I know I am late but I am sure you understand.

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Thanku dear Jayati

Your loving wishes are evergreen. Never late.

❤️

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Utkarsh and I share our birthdays. He was there in my heart all along!

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Yes Kiran Ji

It is a beautiful coincidence I so love.

And you always remain in my heart through the day, year after year.

Happy Birthday once again Kiran Ji

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You are just so amazing!

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Warmth and longing are the undertones. The positive note strikes despite grief!

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Many thanks Kiran Ji

Happy Birthday to you ❤️

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What a lovely poem, mother's love straight from heart.

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Joining you Neena, to wish Utkarsh a Very Happy Birthday.

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Many thanks Anita ❤️

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Such a lovely poem Mam. Happy birthday to your dear son! Your words are filled with warmth and are always encouraging. ❤️

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Many thanks Hardeep ❤️

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Very beautiful poem …. Very heartfelt and inspiring. Neena, wishing a very happy birthday to your dear son.

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Many thanks Nancy for your warm wish 🙏

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Such a beautiful poem.

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Many thanks Michele ❤️

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Celebrating with you this beautiful day Neena! Such a tender song of love, thank you for sharing your Mother's heart with us. I admire and treasure your wisdom born of this grief and love - you bless us with these offerings.

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Many thanks Cathey for your warm words

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His sewa bhav keeps all going.

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