Letter to a Grieving Friend

   I am greatly indebted to Larry Barber, director of GriefWorks here in Dallas, for his teachings and current mentoring which have helped shaped my view of grief and how to walk alongside someone who is grieving.  His most recent blog article has informed the following letter in many ways, and I encourage you to check it out.

(this was an actual letter, recently written, but edited for anonymity)

Dear Friend,
     I am so sorry for your loss and for the pain it has brought. I know how much you looked up to this person- what a great example they were for you. Even in your grief you can thank God for them and the way God used them in your life. Most of all with this message, I want to give you permission to grieve, because even well-meaning family and friends will try to take that away from you, without meaning to or intending to, by trying to help comfort you out of it, provide explanations, or help move you toward closure. But know that the grief you feel is simply your love for that person continuing even after he is gone. It is the ultimate expression of love.  You have permission to weep, to mourn, to be angry, to ask questions, to need to be alone sometimes, and to need to be with others at other times. Don't ever feel like you have to have it all together or buck up, put on a brave face, and get back to "normal". You have permission to love this person even after they are gone- and that is called grief, and it is a gift from God.

For those of you have gone through a time of grief, how does this letter resonate with you?  

What "permissions" did you find necessary during your initial time of grief?

As always, your story and your voice are welcome here.