My sister-in-law sent me an article entitled, "blessed mourning," knowing that I was experiencing grief over the loss of my friend, Ilene. It talks about how mourning has fallen out of fashion, that in earlier times, there was a formal mourning period, when black was worn and people did not attend social functions.  This rigid behavior served a practical purpose.  Quote:

"[Such practices] shielded mourners from the demands of daily interactions and distractions, thus giving their hearts and minds sufficient time to heal."

The recognition that grief is a sacred time and cannot be hurried is refreshing. The team putting together the next program for the Conscious Living, Conscious Leaving podcast has found it difficult to get back into the groove of the work. Hearing Ilene’s voice on tape, I’m profoundly grateful that these tapes exist. And I’m keenly aware that grief must have its due time.