Gratitude Is Stronger Than Grief

On Thursday, October 6, my husband Harlan died after suffering an aneurism. Unexpected and sudden. My heart was broken.

I’ve reeled through the days of receiving fellow mourners and their bountiful gifts, of planning his memorial service and spreading his ashes, of all the activity of being with our family. Yesterday was my first day alone.

I decided to start the day with gratitude. Gratitude for toothpaste, for my dog Colt, for my bed, for food, for a beautiful day, for friends, for trees—well, you get the picture. I kept naming what I’m grateful for throughout the day. At the end of the day, as I was sitting on my terrace having a cup of tea, a rainbow subtly appeared over my right shoulder. It turned out to be a precursor. Within the next few minutes, the most splendid rainbow I’ve ever seen appeared right in front of me!

What I learned yesterday is that gratitude is stronger than grief.