Grieving My Way into the Fourth of July

Finding gratitude along my path.

I believe in facing grief. As soon as you are ready. In the ways that feel best. Which can vary widely from individual to individual.

I found myself feeling deep grief this week as I bid farewell to my kids, traveling to another continent without me for the first time. I’m thrilled for them and want this to be the first of many times they travel the world without me.

And every bit of it also breaks my heart.

The most important role of a parent is to prepare our children to do things without us. I have kids who can travel internationally without me at 12 and 14. Woot woot! I have taught (forced?) my kids to do many things without me. As is my duty as a mother.

I do not enjoy all my duties as a mother.

My mother did not teach me or my brother how to survive my dad without her. We had to learn that on our own after she died. My kids are learning it on their o…