Come on in my friend & we’ll enjoy a cuppa together while reflecting upon Grief, as it’s an emotion that comes to all of us at some point in our lives & it is a powerful one.

But before we continue let’s grab a cuppa, a treat & get comfy. I’m enjoying a slice of gf Vanilla Sponge Cake with Vanilla icing (frosting) covered with fresh Raspberries & little slices of Kiwi fruit, made by a dear friend. And I have accompanied it with a large mug of Sydney breakfast tea, also a gift from my eldest step daughter. Both are delicious.

It’s cold & raining here in our part of Australian as I write this today, so we’ll be sitting inside where it’s warm & comfy out of the cold wind blowing up from the Antarctic. Now we’re comfy, we shall continue.

Grief

I would hazard a guess that all who join me here from different parts of the world & various cultures have experienced some form of grief in their life. For Grief is not a respector of cultures, nations or people groups.

When we think of grief often the death of a loved one comes to mind, someone we dearly loved has left & their loss has caused or still is causing us enormous grief.

But there are many forms of grief & not all are related to death for there is what I call a living grief that many live with daily & may be in the area of;

Dealing with Family Estrangements

Which can be an emotionally painful ongoing experience that sadly many families are experiencing today. And until there’s reconciliation the grief in the loss of that relationship is one that is painful, especially to parents whose adult children have chosen the path of estrangement.

Does Grief ever leave?

I was recently chatting with someone about this topic & during our chat they made the comment that grief never really leaves. I had to pause & think carefully before I answered, for this person is experiencing the living grief I’ve mentioned above not with an estranged member of their family but in raising & caring for their Special needs child.

I answered that it depends on the type of grief that has or is being experienced. Because most types of grief benefit from a chat with a Clinical Counsellor or an experienced Pastor. But I did agree there are certain losses that stay with us for life, although even in these areas of grief the right professional & spiritual support can greatly help.

Let’s get personal;

Speaking from my own experience in the loss of two of my five children & also the death of my late husband to brain cancer which I shared in 2018 in the following statement:

“You see you never get ‘over’ the loss of a child or loved one. Rather you come to a place of acceptance & live in that acceptance…they died & (for me) I’m absolutely assured of seeing them again…” The Marie Antoinette Tea

In other words once you have reached that place of acceptance you go forward within that acceptance & celebrate their life & the life you had (however brief) or have with your loved one (in the case of living grief).

In the case of a special needs child, being the grandmother of a special needs granddaughter, our family celebrate her individuality & uniqueness that is our Miss L as shared in;

Little Miss L

That post was shared in 2018, our little Miss L is now taller then this Granny & is a delightful young lady. While her developmental age is very much half her biological age at the moment & may stay at this point as she continues to grow, she continues to surprise & delight us.

Recently her Mama (my daughter) & I attended a huge entertainment stadium to watch her participate in a massive regional schools performance. She was part of the her school’s Deaf Choir, signing the songs that were of that segment as others sang & danced around the choir.

Our Miss L, although a little stage struck at first, got into the performance with all her might. Her Mama & I sat watching with happy tears streaming down our cheeks – this was a momentous achievement for our Miss L & her Mama who works & advocates so very hard to get the very best for our Miss L.

As I was sitting there watching each new song signed by her & the choir (three songs in three segments in all) I was praising God with such a thankful heart. For much prayer has been prayed for our Miss L (& continues), since her birth by many, to reach milestones that for others developmentally came easy but for our Miss L only come with much effort, determination & patience by her, her Mama & her therapists ~ all by the grace of God.

And I was also praising Him for the strength & energy He has given to her Mama, Dad, older sister & brother along the way & continues to as she grows, for at times our Miss L’s behaviour can be very challenging. You see our Miss L will never be independent from her Mama & Dad (unless a miracle of God occurs) but she does live a full life in her uniqueness.

While there is a living grief, there is also much joy & celebration to be had when we rely on the grace of God in all situations especially in grief my friend for Jesus experienced grief & understands;

“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord” they answered. Jesus wept.…” John 11: 33-35 BSB

Until next time,

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

or in Prayer

© 2026 Jennifer M. Ross, All Rights Reserved. Photo by karola-g/

Blog Party link ups