We’re taught that grief is unnatural. That it’s wrong–something to be avoided, suppressed. After all,

It’s painful.

It’s messy.

It’s raw.

But, here’s to learning that grief is natural. That it’s normal–something to be engaged, expressed.  Even if,

It’s painful.

It’s messy.

It’s raw.

What if we learned to sit with grief when it visits? 

What if we learned to say, “See you soon,” when it slips away?  

What if we learned to be curious about this complex companion?

So,

Here’s to leaving the door ajar.  

Here’s to leaving the window cracked.  

Here’s to pulling up a chair and asking, 

“What’s Up, Grief?”