Grief

 I wrote this to an artist I like who’s going through some painful shit. It’s an analogy I’ve used and find helpful and I wanted to record it.

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Hi, Suzi.  Grief is a sneaky bitch.  Please don’t despair the depth and breadth of your feelings.  I had some really hard things hit me all at once in the 2000s and I was overwhelmed with grief.  I felt like I was carrying a giant box and I couldn’t see anything but the box.  Over time, I was able to make the box smaller and smaller, until it was a small box that I can carry in my hand.  I thought to that was the best I could do until I realised carrying the box meant I only had one hand to do the things i wanted to do.  It took time, but I was able to put the box down.  I know where it is and I can hold it when I need/want to but I don’t carry it everyday.  Working on some of your mixed media girls helped me then - helped me feel creative and hopeful.  I won’t say I don’t get ambushed by that grief from time to time but I’m able to put the box down more easily now.

All that to say, I see you and I’m sending you so much love.  You are strong and resilient, and I know you’ll make it through this.