A Year of Magical Thinking years later
After the death of my father a few years ago, a well-meaning friend gave me a copy of Joan Didion's book, "The Year of Magical Thinking." I enjoyed Didion's "Political Fictions" so my friend thought I would enjoy this book as well.
Well, it wasn't that I disliked the book -- not at all. But at the time, I wasn't ready for it. Reading about another person's vulnerabilities after the death of her loved one at a time when I was mourning the loss of my sense of normal was too much.
So, it sat on my TBR pile for more than seven years until I finally picked it up again. This time, I was ready.
Sure, the tears fell as I silently wept for Didion's losses while recalling my own. I am always amazed at how resilient people are at a time when we think they should crumble and fall apart. I'm in awe that most can find the strength to go on, keep living and eventually overcome the difficult times.
I say most because my sister has not been so fortunate. The loss of my father triggered new issues with her mental illness and sadly, she's still struggling.
What I enjoyed about this book was the feeling of sameness I found with Didion's thoughts and actions. Grief is not the same for everyone, yet I understood her grief, and empathized with it. When she recalls drifting away from her social scene and only coming back after a half-hearted acceptance of a job offer, I could relate. When she wrote about vortexes coming in unexpected places, I knew exactly what she meant. The experience of grief has been described as a U shape or waves:
So, it sat on my TBR pile for more than seven years until I finally picked it up again. This time, I was ready.
Sure, the tears fell as I silently wept for Didion's losses while recalling my own. I am always amazed at how resilient people are at a time when we think they should crumble and fall apart. I'm in awe that most can find the strength to go on, keep living and eventually overcome the difficult times.
I say most because my sister has not been so fortunate. The loss of my father triggered new issues with her mental illness and sadly, she's still struggling.
What I enjoyed about this book was the feeling of sameness I found with Didion's thoughts and actions. Grief is not the same for everyone, yet I understood her grief, and empathized with it. When she recalls drifting away from her social scene and only coming back after a half-hearted acceptance of a job offer, I could relate. When she wrote about vortexes coming in unexpected places, I knew exactly what she meant. The experience of grief has been described as a U shape or waves:
At this point, I am confident that I can read more about loss without losing it. What books or resources have you found helpful while grieving?
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