Poetry: For Coping With Grief and Loss

In June of 2022, my wife and I lost the greatest gift we've ever received, our granddaughter Cecilia Raen Eversole. She was born in November 2018 and devoted a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome. She was diagnosed just after she turned a year old. Although she faced many hospitalizations and struggles in her short 3 and a half years with us, nobody would know it by watching her live her life. She was as vibrant and energetic as anyone I've ever known. Aside from the seizures, she was a typical wild toddler. Unfortunately, God chose the prettiest flower from the garden and called her home on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. The very next day, I felt an intense urge to write her a poem. I have written Cecilia a poem every Wednesday since that day, with some others scattered in between for special occasions. Once I write her a poem, I go into her bedroom, sit on her bed, and read it out loud to her. This has been extremely therapeutic for me and keeps me connected to her in a spiritual way in her physical absence.

The connection I had with Cecilia (Cece) cannot be described with words. What I can tell you is that I needed her as much as she needed me. Losing such a precious young soul is beyond devastating, and the pain never eases up. God has granted me the peace I sought and provided me with a gift of writing. In addition to this poetry, which I continue to write weekly, I also wrote a book that looks at life with Cecilia and the struggles she faced, along with the struggles that faced us as a family. I am hopeful that my words can help others looking for something to help as they cope with grief and loss.

in Christ,

Bill Mulholland

Dettagli