Showing grace in difficult times

This year it has seemed like lots of people, including me, have been dealing with loss of people they cared about—often sudden and unexpected loss.  I have been amazed at the grace with which my friends have handled this.

When the shock and immediate reactions have passed, many of them have been able to tap into acceptance and manage the ongoing sense of loss. They showed a sense of grace. 

Two things struck me about those who navigated these losses with grace—the first is their ability to deeply celebrate the life of the person they had lost. The second is their ability to accept and embrace not knowing what is coming next and the inevitability of death.

When I looked up the word grace, the definitions contain elements of dignity, honour, elegance and ease and suppleness of bearing.

None of us know what is around the corner, but I hope that whatever comes my way, I will be able to manage it with these elements of grace