14 Comments
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valerieS's avatar

So many triggers. thank you for naming it.

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Darius K.'s avatar

I never thought of grief itself showing up as a body language. That's such a thought. I had a moment where I was anxious yet conscious enough to ask the question why and wondered if it showed up in my body language, wondering if my body was telling on me what's going on internally.

I never thought about grief having that same sort of display. I been sad alot lately myself and it have slipped my mind that grief exists. I'm still new to the language. But the concept that grief can effect you to the point of showing up in your body language is so baffling to me.

Thanks for sharing this.

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Kyle McClendon's avatar

Thank you for sharing, John. Love you.

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diakonos's avatar

Here breathing with you. It *is* sad John Onwuchekwa.

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Bethny Ricks's avatar

Powerful

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John Onwuchekwa's avatar

Thanks sis!

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Ruth's avatar

❤️

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John Onwuchekwa's avatar

Appreciate you tapping in Ruth

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Katobwa Stallworth's avatar

I pray for none stop hugs in your life right now. I understand my/this type of grief through your sharing/teaching all too well. Thank you …. I think understanding my triggers is somehow my long road back. Much love is sent your way. God will keep you. Remember this:

he (John) believed

that He (God) would

so He (God)did.

God will keep you…. I believe.

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John Onwuchekwa's avatar

I receive all of the love Katobwa!

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Tatiana Flucker's avatar

Just lost my dad 6 weeks ago… and while it’s sad to see that one can still feel such deep grief 10 years later, it’s oddly comforting as well. To know that it’s normal to feel this way 10 years later, gives me permission to feel love, joy, and sadness for my dad until I draw my own last breath. I know this because Jesus was well acquainted with grief. Before He brought Lazarus back from the dead, He wept for him. I think we as a society have a serious misconception of grief and how to handle it. There’s so much more that I can say but I just want to really thank you. Your posts and your work have really helped me through such a dark time in my life. Keep writing. Thank you.

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Patti Shaffner's avatar

I hear you John. I am only - and part of me laughs to write that - at almost six years since my husband, my Beloved, died beside me in the car as I drove him to ER. His birthday precedes his thanoversary by nearly three weeks. Spring always holds the unexpected rush of tears, that - as you said, are not as intrusive. Nevertheless, they are there. And yes, the body will not be denied expression. I am grateful for your honest sharing of what we usually, after a time (never quite sure what that is), are expected to clean up for public consumption. It IS still messy at times. And the fact is, we become more familiar with our grief and how it affects us. The whole ‘acceptance’ idea places an expectation on us that once we’ve accepted it, we won’t be affected by it. So all the undercurrents, the ones that circulate our losses through us, keep changing the internal landscape. Same way water carves out the land. By speaking to the real that you are living, you give us all grace to name the truths that are alive in us, even when the majority of people would prefer us to keep it under lock and key. I’m glad you have people to hold you when that is the language you need most to move with the current.

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John Onwuchekwa's avatar

Patti, this is so beautiful. Thanks for allowing me the space to process out loud, and for taking so much time and effort to do the same.

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Elder Notes's avatar

🙏🙏🙏 I see u. 🙏🙏🙏

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