The Path Through Loneliness

A plethora of emotions accompany the loss of a loved one. The dark shadow of loneliness, however, tends to hover longer, seemingly with no promise of an exit date.

People grappling with grief often lament, “If only I could shake this loneliness, I believe things would turn around for me.” The unfortunate truth is that, although the pain of loss diminishes over time, the deceased, on some level, will always be missed. The void created by an individual’s absence cannot be filled by another because no two people are exactly alike.

The death of a hospice patient, though expected, may still register as a painful and crippling reality. An expected loss is no less of a loss. After a demise, loneliness will threaten peace and will challenge an attempt to return to some sense of normalcy.

One Day at a Time

One day at a time is not trite advice to be dismissed or taken lightly. Death is a heavy weight. Its impact will not cease overnight. Survivors of loss need not only to take one day at a time, but each second and each minute at a time. Just learning how to breathe again is progress.

David, as a shepherd, found comfort in the Lord’s rod and staff as stated in Psalms 23:4. The path through loneliness may be found in different things, in different places, for different people. A special memory might produce a smile. Perhaps a picture kept close keeps the tears at bay. Wearing a specific article of clothing that belonged to the deceased could momentarily ease a gnawing ache.

Others discover that a bereavement support group gets the lonely out among other people in a push back against isolation. The path to healing is not the same for everyone.

The path through loneliness varies after losing the beloved. Giving oneself the permission to remember and honor loved ones through the patience of time is a good place to start.

Barbara Ann Fields is the author of The Afterlife: Learn How to Biblically Prepare For It in This Life: Fields, Barbara Ann: 9781728365008: Amazon.com: Books

Read more on Open to Hope about loneliness: Managing Loneliness After a Loss – Open to Hope

Barbara Ann Fields

I was born and raised in Starkville, Mississippi, home of Mississippi State University. Although I lived out of state twice, I have always preferred to live in my hometown more that anywhere else in the United States. I therefore returned home after venturing out. My first literary love was poetry, the kind that makes sense, the poetry that people can actually understand and enjoy. I love participating in "poetry out loud", what I call a poetic performance. It is both a challenging and invigorating experience. For years, I have felt within myself that God was calling me to a ministry surrounding death, loss, life after death, and teaching people how to prepare for the coming new world. I have accepted it as my life's calling. I thrive on speaking and writing.