Comments on: Waves of Healing http://www.lessarnoff.org/2009/08/waves-of-healing/ The Voice of Portland Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:08:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Shannon http://www.lessarnoff.org/2009/08/waves-of-healing/comment-page-1/#comment-166 Shannon Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:37:16 +0000 http://www.lessarnoff.org/?p=57#comment-166 Hi Rita. You don't know me, neither did your husband. It's just that I listened to him for most of my life on the radio and took his humor and manner for granted as one of the many great things about this city. There are so many that will never write here that loved his contribution to their lives as much as I did. So consider this *thousands* of notes instead of just one :) I admired his causes, his easy going manner, and of course how much he clearly loved his family and Oregon too. For some reason I thought of him this evening and did a search and here you are. Thank you for your honesty about the terrible chaos that surrounds a dear one after death. I'm glad to know you were able to fall apart with others around. I fell apart once too and it was the most frightening thing ever because there was no choice. It was profoundly humbling. Being shattered gave me the chance to re-create my life, and slowly I did. It took two years for me to even begin to feel like myself again. I know there is no time table for something like this. But I just wanted to say thank you for your honesty and have faith that moving forward is all it takes, even if it's waking up and taking care of the dogs and whatever is necessary to get you through that one day. It really is enough. And over time I promise you'll be able to be more of yourself again. And a whole bunch of people you've never met are out here rooting for you! Hi Rita. You don’t know me, neither did your husband. It’s just that I listened to him for most of my life on the radio and took his humor and manner for granted as one of the many great things about this city. There are so many that will never write here that loved his contribution to their lives as much as I did. So consider this *thousands* of notes instead of just one :)

I admired his causes, his easy going manner, and of course how much he clearly loved his family and Oregon too.

For some reason I thought of him this evening and did a search and here you are. Thank you for your honesty about the terrible chaos that surrounds a dear one after death. I’m glad to know you were able to fall apart with others around. I fell apart once too and it was the most frightening thing ever because there was no choice. It was profoundly humbling. Being shattered gave me the chance to re-create my life, and slowly I did. It took two years for me to even begin to feel like myself again. I know there is no time table for something like this. But I just wanted to say thank you for your honesty and have faith that moving forward is all it takes, even if it’s waking up and taking care of the dogs and whatever is necessary to get you through that one day. It really is enough. And over time I promise you’ll be able to be more of yourself again. And a whole bunch of people you’ve never met are out here rooting for you!

]]> By: Nora http://www.lessarnoff.org/2009/08/waves-of-healing/comment-page-1/#comment-12 Nora Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:42:41 +0000 http://www.lessarnoff.org/?p=57#comment-12 Rita...dear one...you are not alone although I'm sure you feel that way. Les is right there with you - be assured of that. In the quiet, he IS there and you can talk to him. In your pain and grief you aren't able to feel or hear him - yet. Become an observer in your life and it will be clear how he is communicating with you through people he sends to you, songs he arranges for you to hear, coincidences that aren't really coincidence. No one gives up a great love that easily - even in death. Especially Les. I lost my great love suddenly nearly 20 years ago and was clinically depressed for two years. All my dreams died with him because they included both of us. Once I decided I would have to LIVE for both of us, I saw/felt him everywhere - in laughing children, happy dogs, and in special songs that conveyed a certain aspect of our relationship. Wonderful, healing experiences happened from out of the blue. I no longer silently cursed couples I saw enjoying each other's company. At that point I felt peace and a sense of purpose again. I still talk to him and get regular reminders from him that I am doing what he hoped I would. If you have the opportunity to listen to Beth Nielsen Cahpmans's album "Sand and Water", it may help. Her husband passed and these were songs she wrote about the experience. It gave me great comfort and still is one of my favorites. In the meantime, everyone who cared for Les still cares for you as well. The only way out of this is through it, and you WILL come through. Sending a big warm hug and peace to you. Please keep us posted on YOU. Rita…dear one…you are not alone although I’m sure you feel that way. Les is right there with you – be assured of that. In the quiet, he IS there and you can talk to him. In your pain and grief you aren’t able to feel or hear him – yet. Become an observer in your life and it will be clear how he is communicating with you through people he sends to you, songs he arranges for you to hear, coincidences that aren’t really coincidence. No one gives up a great love that easily – even in death. Especially Les.

I lost my great love suddenly nearly 20 years ago and was clinically depressed for two years. All my dreams died with him because they included both of us. Once I decided I would have to LIVE for both of us, I saw/felt him everywhere – in laughing children, happy dogs, and in special songs that conveyed a certain aspect of our relationship. Wonderful, healing experiences happened from out of the blue. I no longer silently cursed couples I saw enjoying each other’s company. At that point I felt peace and a sense of purpose again. I still talk to him and get regular reminders from him that I am doing what he hoped I would. If you have the opportunity to listen to Beth Nielsen Cahpmans’s album “Sand and Water”, it may help. Her husband passed and these were songs she wrote about the experience. It gave me great comfort and still is one of my favorites.

In the meantime, everyone who cared for Les still cares for you as well. The only way out of this is through it, and you WILL come through. Sending a big warm hug and peace to you. Please keep us posted on YOU.

]]> By: Alicia http://www.lessarnoff.org/2009/08/waves-of-healing/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Alicia Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:48:36 +0000 http://www.lessarnoff.org/?p=57#comment-9 Rita, thank you for sharing your thoughts and reflections. I'm glad to read that you're healing, even if it's a slow process, you're growing and strengthening with your grieving. Know that I'm thinking of you and sending you love. Alicia RN, PARC-4K Rita, thank you for sharing your thoughts and reflections. I’m glad to read that you’re healing, even if it’s a slow process, you’re growing and strengthening with your grieving. Know that I’m thinking of you and sending you love.
Alicia RN, PARC-4K

]]>