Facing death
“Often we have to face some type of crisis during our recovery, such as the death of
a loved one…”
Basic Text, p.98
Every life has a beginning and an end. However, when someone we love a great deal
reaches the end of their life, we may have a very hard time accepting their sudden,
final absence. Our grief may be so powerful that we fear it will completely overwhelm
us-but it will not. Our sorrow may hurt more than anything we can remember, but it
will pass.
We need not run from the emotions that may arise from the death of a loved one.
Death and grieving are parts of the fullness of living “life on life’s terms”. By allowing
ourselves the freedom to experience these feelings; we partake more deeply of both
our recovery and our human nature.
Sometimes the reality of another’s death makes our own mortality that much more
pronounced. We reevaluate our priorities, appreciating the loved ones still with us all
the more. Our life, and our life with them, will not go on forever. We want to make
the most of what’s most important while it lasts.
We might find that the death of someone we love helps strengthen our conscious
contact with our Higher Power. If we remember that we can always turn to that
source of strength when we are troubled, we will be able to stay focused on it no
matter what may be going on around us.
Just for today: I will accept the loss of one I love and turn to my Higher Power for
the strength to accept my feelings. I will make the most of my love for those in my
life today.